Gutter Drain Pitch

There are two factors that go into determining gutter position on the eave the pitch of the gutter and the roof slope.

Gutter drain pitch.

The gutter slope otherwise known as the pitch is the amount the gutters slant downward to direct the path of water flow. A slope of less than 1 4 inch per foot will cause constant drain clogs and a slope of more than three inches will allow the water to drain without the solids. Test the pitch of your reinstalled gutter by turning on a garden hose and directing the water into the farthest part of the gutter from the downspout. If the gutter slope isn t properly positioned it will pool in the system and spill over the sides.

Laying drainage pipes is a job for professionals but diyers can try their hand at less extensive drainage systems. As a general rule gutter slope is set at 1 4 inch per 10 feet of guttering. If the slope is slanted too sharply the gutters can t function at full capacity. Pipes must slope slightly downhill to drain properly.

And the issue is often complicated by downspouts on the residence that do not pipe away the rain gutter water from the property. Gutter can be run level for appearance but addition downspout will be necessary see section on proper gutter and downspout sizing. Gutter should be pitched 1 16 or greater per foot for proper drainage. To ensure that gutters drain properly make certain they slope inch for every 10 feet toward a downspout.

An accurate calculation is essential for properly functioning plumbing. For example if you have 30 feet of guttering the calculation is 1 4 x 3 0 75 i e. For gutter runs longer than 40 feet it s best to pitch the gutter down from the middle to a downspout at each end. Or you can slope the gutters down from each end toward a single downspout placed in the middle of the run.

Watch the water to ensure it begins to flows down toward the downspout. This means the downspout end of the gutter should be set 3 4 of an inch lower than the other end. According to plumbing code drain pipe has to be sloped a minimum of 1 4 inch per foot and a maximum of three inches per foot or vertical. Yard slope or pitch the majority of drainage problems are usually caused by an inadequate pitch or slope in your yard which prevents water runoff from being diverted away from the house.