How To Shorten A Gutter Downspout

Use the old adage measure twice and cut once then turn the gutter upside down on the table and mark it all the way around.

How to shorten a gutter downspout.

Then with the combination square transfer the line down each side of the aluminum gutter. The above recommendations assume that you have properly sized downspouts every 40 feet. Cut the downspout with your. Laying your gutter on the workbench measure off the amount of gutter you want to cut and mark it with a pencil.

Transfer your measurement to the downspout and make a mark on both sides with your pencil. As with gutters a downspout s capacity must match or exceed the expected runoff. Allow for a 1 1 2 in. Increasing the pitch increases a gutter s handling capacity but the gutter may look askew over a long run.

Measure from the bottom of the main gutter to the ground. Screw an elbow to the downspout outlet. Overlap at each end. Hold another elbow against the wall and measure between them.

How to cut a downspout step 1. The standard is about inch per 10 feet. Hook the tape measure. Use a carpenter s square to get around to the bottom.

Just cut the downspout at a 45 degree angle with a tin snips or metal cutting blade and fasten the two piece zip hinge sold at home centers or online with eight sheet metal screws. Let s get into the six best methods we ve found for extending your home s downspouts. Remove the elbow from the end of the downspout. Use a hacksaw to cut this length from the uncrimped end of a downspout tube.

Buy a length of plastic corrigated drain hose and a downspout adapter and stick it on the end of the downspout. Place your tape measure at the flat of the main. To be safe aim for a 4 foot minimum extension away from a downspout. Using a fine 24 or 32 tooth per inch blade in a hacksaw cut off what you need.