Gutters should slope about 1/4 inch for every 10 feet toward the downspout. Runs longer than about 40 feet often slope down from the middle to downspouts at both ends. Too little slope leaves standing water; too much looks crooked and can let water overshoot at the low end.
How to check your gutter slope
- Pour a bucket of water or run a hose at the far end of the gutter.
- Watch where the water stops or pools.
- Place a level on the top edge of the gutter to confirm it falls toward the downspout.
- Measure the drop over a 10-foot section; about 1/4 inch is the target.
Fixing the slope
Loosen the hangers along the problem section, raise the high end or lower the low end to a chalk line set at the correct pitch, and re-fasten into solid wood. Standing water usually means a hanger has pulled down or the run was installed nearly level.
Long runs
On long walls, a single downspout at one end may require so much drop that the gutter looks crooked. Splitting the run with a high point in the middle and downspouts at each end keeps the slope modest and doubles drainage capacity.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad if gutters hold a little water?
Shallow puddles after rain encourage rust, mosquitoes and debris buildup, and add weight. Correcting the slope is a simple fix.
Can I see gutter slope from the ground?
Usually not. A hose test is the reliable way to check.
Need a hand?
- Gutter Repair: Leaking seams, sagging runs, loose hangers, bad slope and crushed downspouts fixed in one visit.
- Seamless Gutter Installation: Seamless aluminum gutters formed on-site to the exact length of your roofline, in your color.