Fall, pitch, slope or grade
When installing spouting we never install it perfectly horizontal, even though this would drain most rain from the roof perfectly well. We always add a small drop in angle to ensure that the spouting is drained comepletely.
Even if you install a high-volume spouting profile like Quarter Round or Old Gothic, water pooling in your spouting can lead to problems.
Depending on who you talk to, this slight drop in angle is called slope, fall, pitch, or grade.
Achieving the correct fall on new homes this is easy. But Hamilton has many older or renovated homes where the house or roof is no longer perfectly true, presenting a few interesting issues with installation.
What is the standard fall rate for spouting in Hamilton?
Most spouting contractor or roofers in Hamilton and Waikato would install spouting with a fall of 2mm per linear metre.
The purpose of the slope is to gently guide the water away from the house to the ground. If the gutter has no slope, then water will pool in the gutter, become stagnant and allow for debris to build up and create clogs.
If the gutter slope is too steep, the water can rush off of the roof and cause splash back and erosion issues.
What can happen if there is not enough fall?
Not having enough slope on your guttering can be a real challenge for any homeowner.
If the gutter is installed with insufficient slope, it may cause the water to pond or stand in the gutter instead of flowing freely down the incline and away from the structure.
This can cause water damage to the roof and siding of the house due to the stagnation of water. In addition, the weight of the standing water can cause the gutter to sag and pull away from the roof and fascia.
How does this happen and what can be done?
The most common cause of insufficient gutter slope is improper installation. Gutters can sometimes be installed too close to the roof line which causes the gutter to sit at an unnaturally shallow incline.
This is especially common when the gutter is installed on an older home with a long eaves (the length from the roofline to the gutter).
Another common issue is when sections of the gutter are connected at a low point rather than a high point. This can cause the connecting sections to have a greater degree of slope than the rest of the gutter, producing an uneven flow along the gutter.
Finally, problems can be caused over time by the building shifting with age. Or, by renovations that have not been done correctly. This can result in uneven fall along the spouting.
If this is the case, there should be some room to move the brackets up or down until the correct fall is achieved.
It is important to regularly inspect your gutter system to ensure that the proper slope is maintained. If you notice that the slope is inadequate, then you should take steps to correct the problem.
About Fine Line
Fine line is a privately owned, local team who are proud to offer fascia and spouting services to customers within Hamilton and around the Waikato.
We are a specialist team who can provide professional advice around the best fascia and spouting options to meet your needs, ensuring our clients are completely satisfied with our products and workmanship, AND we handle every job we quote personally.
