The Importance Of The Slope Of The Gutters

Some signs that you need to replace or repair your gutters are more obvious than others. Chips, cracks, and chipped paint are clear signs that your gutters can no longer do the important job of evacuating rainwater collected from your roof.

But what happens when gutters look fine at first glance but still don't seem to do their job well? In these cases, it is time to check the slope of the gutter system and make the necessary adjustments.

The proper slope of the gutters

In order for the water to be led into the downspouts, the gutters use the force of gravity to create a flow of water; that is, they are slightly inclined towards the downspouts. The correct slope of the gutters is subtle enough so that you do not notice it from the street, but it is also necessary so that the water is easily led to the drains.

The slope of each gutter system depends on a few factors. First, is the geographical area where they are located? If we are in an area with a wide range of annual rainfall, we will adjust the slope so that the water is evacuated faster, and thus avoid a collapse of the system. The other factor is the length of the gutter as such, for facades of more than 20 meters long it is advisable to install a downspout at each end, inclining each section towards the different downspouts.

Check that the tilt is correct

If you notice that the water remains in the gutters instead of being drained, you should check the downspouts and clean any residue that prevents the correct flow of water.

If this doesn't fix the problem; A simple solution is to pour water on the farthest part of the gutter downspout and check how long it takes to reach it. In this way, we will discover if there is any weak point in which stagnation occurs, or simply if it is not evacuated with sufficient efficiency. If you notice that the water flows too slowly, this is a clear sign that you need to adjust the slope of the entire gutter system.

Reset channel slope

If you find that your gutter system is not draining water properly, you may need to readjust or even replace it. Gutters that are very old may not hold up well to a realignment of the entire system and will need to be replaced. To find out what kind of work the gutters need, we recommend that you go to a professional company that performs a complete check of the entire gutter system, including downspouts and fixings.

In this way, you accurately diagnose the problem and you can put a definitive solution. This type of work must be carried out by a professional since they are carried out at height and this poses a serious danger if the appropriate precautions are not taken. Always rely on a company specialized in the installation and maintenance of gutters for any adjustments you have to make to your water evacuation system.