The market today is flooded with many home improvement tools and resources. For homeowners, this makes do-it-yourself projects, such as patching up cracks on ceilings and prying out broken tiles, a lot easier. However, many tasks still require clear-cut objectives, specific knowledge and acquired training. This includes gutter installation. Determining gutter pitch, placement and hanger placement is not a job for an amateur and is best left to professional local roofing companies. Why? Because one mistake could lead to serious damage to your whole structure.
Pitch Measurement
The highest tip of your guttering should be angled at a certain downward slope so rainwater can flow to the downspout without any problems. Although one measurement is not applicable to all buildings, there is a kind of general formula that contractors use as a guide. Your gutters should be pitched at approximately ¼ inch per 10 feet to observe adequate drainage. If not, two things can happen. One, water will stay in the gutters until it overflows, causing pooling water on your basement or garage; and two, it will create an unpleasant look to your home.
Gutter Placement
An expert roofing contractor will position your gutters a few inches lower than the roof. If placed right on the roofline, which many homeowners assume to be the right technique, rainwater will slide back up on the lower side of the roof and drip down under the roof. This is the reason why gutter placement is a critical part of installation and should be done by an expert in the field.
Hanger Spacing
Hanger spacing is best determined by the climate in the area. If you live in a predominantly warm place with occasional rainfall, your gutter hangers should be close to the center of the gutter system. The spacing should be no more than 36 inches apart from the center. For wet climates, gutters should have a maximum distance of 18 inches between them.
Contact a Gutter Professional
These meticulous and quite tedious tasks require attention to detail, which can be sufficiently provided to you by a veteran gutter installer. Contact Hinkle Roofing, a trusted name in the business. We offer a wide range of professional exterior services such as gutter installation, roof repair, picture window replacement. Call us at (205) 324-8545 or fill out our contact form to start a conversation with one of our specialists.