How To Shorten A Gutter Downspout

Transfer your measurement to the downspout and make a mark on both sides with your pencil.

How to shorten a gutter downspout.

Use a carpenter s square to get around to the bottom. Allow for a 1 1 2 in. This one s a popular solution for a few good reasons. Extend the cut mark around the aluminum gutter by aligning the blade of the combination square with the length mark you placed on the bottom surface of the aluminum gutter and running the carpenter s pencil along the edge of the combination square blade.

Place your tape measure at the flat of the main. Use longer extensions to make sure you re getting all that water away from your home. Measure from the bottom of the main gutter to the ground. Cut the downspout with your.

As with gutters a downspout s capacity must match or exceed the expected runoff. Laying your gutter on the workbench measure off the amount of gutter you want to cut and mark it with a pencil. Use a hacksaw to cut this length from the uncrimped end of a downspout tube. How to cut a downspout step 1.

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. Screw an elbow to the downspout outlet. 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.

Remove the elbow from the end of the downspout. Hook the tape measure. Hold another elbow against the wall and measure between them. Buy a length of plastic corrigated drain hose and a downspout adapter and stick it on the end of the 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. To be safe aim for a 4 foot minimum extension away from a downspout. The standard is about inch per 10 feet.