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Yes. Excessive pitch in gutters can cause water to flow too rapidly, leading to a decrease in the gutter's water-holding capacity; consequently, during heavy rainstorms, water may awkwardly splash outside the gutters. Ideally, you should aim for a quarter-inch of gutter slope for every 10 feet of gutter run. However, it's important to note that this guideline may vary depending on your home's structure and the type of gutters being installed.

On average, gutters need to be replaced every 20 years. Unprotected gutters in more extreme weather conditions are more prone to breaking and may need to be replaced sooner. Meanwhile, proper maintenance can extend your gutter’s life span even further. That said, proper installation, gutter hangers to provide additional support, and gutter guards or helmets all play an important role in how long your gutters last.

Buried downspouts can freeze during cold weather as cold water runs through them. If you’ve discovered your downspouts are frozen, you can carefully pour hot water down the top of the downspout to defrost them. If that doesn’t work, you may need to dig your downspout back up. Avoid trying to break the ice from the exterior using a hammer as this can cause cracks and damage to your downspout.

To avoid freezing the future, consider adding a heating cable to the exterior, which can adjust heat based on the surrounding temperature.

How long hangers last will depend on what gutter material they’re made from, but generally you can expect to get at least 10 to 15 years from them no matter what they’re made from. But don’t wait for them to break to give them a checkup. Inspect this part of your gutters on a yearly basis, and make repairs at the first sight of damage.