Downspouts are responsible for routing rainwater or snowmelt from the gutters at the roof’s eaves down to the ground, away from your house foundation. Properly attached downspouts prevent water damage to your home’s foundation and other structural problems.
Downspout straps and clips, which fasten the gutter to the brick wall, come in a variety of shapes and materials to match the style of your gutters.
How To Measure
A downspout of the right size is essential to preventing water from pooling near your house, which can saturate the soil and leach into the foundation, causing cracks in the structure. Choosing the right downspout size depends on the size of your roof, how often it rains in your area and what kind of precipitation you receive. A downspout with a larger capacity can lessen the chance that it will become clogged by leaves and other debris.
To determine the length of downspout you need, measure from where the first elbow contacts the wall to the ground. Subtract 7 inches from this figure to allow room for the second downspout elbow. Cut the long section of downspout using a hacksaw. Insert the downspout into the second elbow, then attach a strap at each end of the downspout. Ensure that the straps are placed at least 18 inches apart. If the downspout is more than 10 feet long, place an additional strap every other foot to prevent downspouts from separating from the house. Apply silicone caulk around each zip screw head where it meets the vinyl siding, to prevent water leaks.
If the downspout is attached to brick or concrete, you’ll need a masonry bit and a drill to drill holes into the mortar to secure the gutter clamp. You’ll also need anchors to use with the screws, depending on your wall material.
Cut The Gutters
Downspouts are the pipes that carry rainwater from the gutter to the ground. They can be installed at any low point of the gutter, and are usually angled toward a drainage area away from your home. Some downspouts empty into rain barrels, while others lead water to an underground drain pipe. You can also add a downspout extension to the end of a downspout to get the water even farther from your house.
To install a downspout, you must first cut it to the correct length. To do this, measure from the top of the gutter to the bottom of the elbow and subtract around 4 inches. This will give you the proper distance to cut a section of gutter that will fit over the second elbow. Once you have the piece of gutter cut, you can use metal snips to crimp the edges, and then attach it to the downspout elbow.
Once you have attached the downspout to its elbow, you can then secure it to the wall. Depending on the type of siding material on your house, you may be able to locate studs behind the housing and simply drill screws into them. However, if your house has stucco siding, you will need to use anchors. These are essentially large nuts that accept and hold screws. Screw them into place, and then fasten the downspout clamp to the anchors.
Attach The Gutters To The Eaves
Gutter downspouts channel rainwater away from your house, preventing water damage from leaks. They can be added to a gutter system that’s already in place or, if your home doesn’t have them, they can easily be installed as a stand-alone item. Downspouts are lightweight, vertical tubes that connect to the underside of gutters and carry water down and away from the house. They can empty into rain barrels, into an underground drain pipe or simply into the yard. To add a downspout to a gutter system, you’ll need to have some ladder stability and a bit of elbow grease.
Position your ladder on even ground and secure it with a ladder stabilizer. Begin on the side where your new downspout will begin, and mark its length with a chalk line. This will help you achieve a slope that directs water toward the downspout’s location on the exterior wall.
If you’re installing a downspout extension, cut a section of the gutter material to the proper length with your hacksaw or tin snips. Then, use a rivet or screw to attach the end of a downspout piece to the crimped end of another piece to create a longer downspout.
Next, position a downspout strap or clip at each point where you’ll need to connect the gutter pieces together. You can choose from straps and clips that are designed specifically for gutters, or you can use your own. Screw or rivet each piece of downspout strap into its respective gutter section, making sure that the straps overlap and that they’re flush against your brick walls.
Attach The Downspout
Once all the gutter pieces are cut, fasten them to the downspout using the appropriate screws for your siding. Attempt to locate the house studs whenever possible, as this will enable you to simply screw through the gutter clamp and into the stud. If you are unable to locate the studs, use anchors to secure your gutter system. Anchors are small, metal rings that expand upon contact with water. They can be purchased at most hardware stores and work well with both vinyl and concrete or brick walls.
When securing downspouts to the house, it is important to orient the sections so that each upper elbow or downspout section tucks into the lower section. Doing so prevents clogs and helps water flow properly. Also, be sure to attach a final elbow at the downspout bottom to direct the water away from the foundation of your home.
Before connecting the downspout to your home, make sure you have enough length of pipe to complete the project. If you do not have enough, purchase additional downspout material from your local home improvement or hardware store. Using cutting snips or a hacksaw, cut the downspout to the correct length, making sure you leave room for overlapping straps. Make sure to wear gloves when working with metal, as it can have very sharp edges.
