You should use a carbide-tipped blade for cutting the aluminum, and it will cut a straight line very easily. While its fun and sometimes more cost effective to Do It Yourself. The front of the seamer hooks to the front edge of the gutter. Or do you dread , Top 3 exterior design trends that she hopes to see more of. This cut-off disk can be used on different metal types, like aluminum, copper, cast iron or even hardened steel. But the bit that the disc is secured to limits the cutting radius to about 0.6-inches (1.5cm). Next, I used a ruler to measure the downspout section I needed to install between the two elbows. I write out about what Ive learned while researching DIY projectsread more about us. These galvanized steel hinges are built to last and come with your choice of 5 colors to match your downspouts and the style of your home's exterior. Attach the gutter to the brackets with screws. They can include tin snips and other similar tools that are used for cutting aluminum. The easiest recourse is to cut it off and attach a new bottom section. The downspout carries water down the side of the home. If you fit a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade, you will repeat the same procedure as using a reciprocating saw. When this happens, theres no need to call a professional you can cut a new downspout and crimp it for insertion into an elbow joint, using the instructions below. It is connected at the top to a hole in the gutter channel. But the discs wear down quickly, cut slowly and shrink in diameter as you use them. By having the center screw secured, I had a pivot point where I could more accurately position the gutter along the chalk line and drive home the remaining screws to anchor the gutter. Many householders set up rain barrels to catch the water as it drips from the roof, reducing runoff and erosion while preserving water for garden use. A good rule of thumb: One downspout should not drain more than 35 feet of gutter. This saw blade is designed for cutting metal and will finish the job in no time. A Dremel equipped with a cutoff blade will also get the job done. Heres the normal drill: You get out the ladder and hoist it up to the outlet where the gutter meets the downspout. A good rule-of-thumb is if you were standing in front of your downspout, which way is the extension going? He has contributed to nationally published books and he leads the Word Weavers of West Michigan writers' group. The Spoutoff enables you to take your 1-, 2- even 3-story downspouts off your house and clean out the outlets from the ground. Cutting downspouts can be accomplished with tin snips or a jigsaw. Our website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It can also use on other materials, including thin wood, plastics and ceramics. Step 1: Measure - Measure the area that you need to cut and mark the downspout at that appropriate space. Test fit the downspout elbow to the bottom of the downspout. If you attempt to crimp the downspout yourself with improvised materials, you will most likely crush or deform the end that needs to fit precisely into the elbow, and the drain wont work. It will cut through the aluminum downspout quickly and cleanly, leaving you with a straight edge for installation. How many downspout installations should your gutters have? Insert the drop outlet in the hole and fasten the new downspout with sheet metal screws. Heavy-Duty Cut-Off Wheel is ideal for cutting, grooving and trimming all kinds of metal. Quite honestly, if you have anything that can cut metal, it can be used for cutting a downspout. Set the 48-inch piece of downspout into the saddle created by removing the top of the elbow. Cutting Downspout: Starting the Cut, Making Straight Cuts, Tool Use, Crimping, and Connection! It is plated with nickel and has carbon steel blades for durability. Suitable for new builds, house refurbishments, conservatories and extensions. However, for do-it-yourselfers who dont mind working on a ladder, you can save considerable labor costs by installing a gutter using the sectional systems available at retail outlets such as Lowes Home Improvement Stores. Next, install brackets at each end of the gutter and along its length every 36 inches. With the rest of your materials, the reciprocating saw will help you to install the new downspout and remove the old one from your gutter system to form a better connection to your roof. Cut inward from the end of the elbow toward the elbow bend using tin snips. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The Dremel makes a precise cut, making the gutter material easier to crimp and install. Gutter Filler also stops mosquitoes from breeding in your gutters by preventing access to water, and it includes built-in BioCide to stop the growth of moss, mold and mildew. Step 1: Measuring Gutter Downspout Step 2: Attach a Metal Cutting Blade Step 3: Cutting the Downspout Gutter Step 4: Crimping the Aluminum Downspout Step 5: Attaching the Downspout (with sheet metal screws) Pro-Tip for Cutting Aluminum Gutters: 3 Methods to Avoid When Cutting a Downspout 1 | Tin Snips 2 | Circular Saw 3 | Hand Saw and Utility Knife Install a metal cutting blade into a jigsaw. Most homeowners never find themselves learning how to cut downspout. Not only can it cut a straight line but you can also cut strange angles and unusual shapes. amzn_assoc_linkid = "56aab05c73857e97f4dc473d8935dfcc"; The Dremel 15/16 in. As mentioned above, the water should be diverted at least 4 to 6 feet away from the house. It's time for an upgrade that will last! The only thing that is left after you cut the downspout is to install it. The absolute thickest solid metal piece you can cut with a Dremel will be about 1.1-inch (2.8 cm) thick. Drop In & Speed Screen Leaf Guards For Gutters, Downspout Extensions Not Staying In Place, Forceful Water Damaging Landscaping or Foundation, Water Running Behind Your Installed Gutter. Do You Love a Good DIY Project? Continue reading below Our Video of the Day You can use a miter saw to make precision cuts through an aluminum downspout. Otherwise, you should mark the entire piece. If you have a hacksaw with a good blade, it will go through a downspout in a matter of minutes. Building contractors and plumbers agree that downspouts should go into the ground to tuck them away and maintain a propertys aesthetic. Jigsaws make quick and accurate cuts, and are plenty powerful enough for the relatively soft materials that make up gutter downspouts. This wet saw gives you great cuts on mosaic with glass and aluminum combined, quickly and with little effort. Fitted with a pivoting shoe for improved maneuverability, and an LED light to help illuminate dark work areas. If you don't want to bother with the tin snips, you'll love our pre-assembled Hinge Kits. Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. Repeat these steps on every gutter section that you have to cut. The corner sections are sold as pre-manufactured components: both Outside Miters and Inside Miters are available, so you dont have to worry about seaming a 45-degree cut. Set the 48-inch piece of downspout into the saddle created by removing the top of the elbow. Use one strap for about every eight feet. Step 2: Mark The Measurements. If you are working with aluminum downspouts, the elbow is crimped and can be easily bent outward and made large enough to fit around the outside of the downspout. When is the right time to harvest and remove your tomato plant? Then there's this: As you can see: The extension doesn't fit on that elbow well anymore. Fasten the two together with a single pop rivet on each side of the elbow. In either case, you can use the reciprocating saw for that purpose. Our easy-to-follow guide will take you through each step so you feel comfortable tackling this project yourself. Can they be used to cut downspouts properly? Putting gravel or rocks at the end of the downspout to avoid erosion is a great idea. The Spoutoff can be installed with new rain gutter systems, or it can be retrofitted onto present gutters and downspouts that are in good condition. I need to trim the downspout up to about where I drew that red line, or a bit higher, so the extension has the proper pitch again. I'm a homeowner and I like to do things myself. We want to take a moment to have a word on safety. The miter saw or chop saw makes clean, precise cuts in aluminum downspouts. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands while cutting. 1. Safety glasses are also something to consider because your eyes are a very valuable commodity. If you have a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade, it really isnt necessary for you to have any other tool for cutting. You can either clamp it in place or have somebody with you to help. To join the end drop to the gutteror to join any gutter section to anotherrequires a seamer. The seamer is a 3-inch wide piece of aluminum in a K profile to match the gutter. (How To), What Can You Use To Cut Ductwork? We can work out the details and provide you pricing. AC Service Tech LLC 237K views 6 years ago Installing a pop-up emitter EKG Lawn Services 31K. Use longer extensions to make sure you're getting all that water away from your home. You look in, grab the muck and throw it to the ground. We come out with new videos every few days from my job sites, service calls, and the training shop! The house shown in this article was built in 1978 and only had a single gutter and two downspouts installed at the front, with nothing on the rear. It also doesnt add to the buildup at seams/joints, so you dont have additional places for debris to collect and restrict water flow. The hacksaw creates a relatively precise cut, but it is slow to work with and will require more manual effort. The pop rivets will act as a pivot hinge. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "eht1-20"; Keep going. If you only have a few to do, you can use tin snips or aviation snips by cutting in from the open end and then turning and cutting around the downspout when you reach the desired line. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Bend the gutter back until you can see the inside of the bottom section. All rights reserved. After all, there are many safety issues that are involved with cutting downspouts, from sharp edges to pinch points. When assembling the gutter and downspouts, you will likely have to cut some of the materials to length. The downpipe clip will help you fit the downpipe into place later. How to start seeds indoors for your vegetable garden? Once youve cut the length of the downspout, the next step is to prepare it for insertion into the elbow joint where it meets the gutter. Carlson Exteriors installs all gutters and downspouts with a hinge and two strips of velcro. Similar to using a reciprocating saw, you make a mark on the downspout sections, slowly cutting each side one at a time. The largest cutting wheels for Dremel have a radius of 3/4-inches (1.9 cm). Your home and your foundation need these extensions to route water away from you home. There are plenty of other options, but you will have a difficult time finding one that is as convenient as a miter saw. I pre-attached the hidden hangers while assembling the gutter section at ground level. Gutterworks Rain Barrels, Rain Catchers, and Rain Savers, How To Determine The Degree Of Elbow You Need, The Ultimate Gutter Installation Checklist, Black & White Universal Plastic Downspout Tile Adapters, OFFSET DOWNSPOUT ADAPTERS & CENTER MOUNT PVC DOWNSPOUT TILE ADAPTERS, DOWNSPOUT CAPS CUSTOM-MADE DOWNSPOUT ADAPTER CAPS, Square Aluminum Commercial Downspout Adapters, Gutter Downspout Hinges, Flip-Up Hinges, & Hinged Extensions, Canadian 2 5/8" and 3" Square Flip Up Hinges, Downspout Debris Filters and Downspout Basket Strainers, Elbows, Offsets (Ledge Jumpers) & Transition Elbows, Over Size Outlets (Maxx Flo Outlets & Big Mouths). Most homes direct water into the barrel with gutters and downspouts, but even homes without gutters can use a rain barrel. You'll just want to make sure to fold them down during rain events. Brackets at each how to cut downspout to fold up of the elbow you fit a jigsaw with a shoe. 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