When assembling, be sure to orient the successive pieces so the upper elbow or downspout section always tucks into the lower sectionrather than the other way around, which will ensure a leak. Squeeze the handles together. A Dremel equipped with a cutoff blade will also get the job done. To install the first section I placed the ladder on the roof about midway of where the first section would be installed. This saw blade is designed for cutting metal and will finish the job in no time. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Before I mow the lawn, I go around and fold up my downspouts so I can mow those areas efficiently. It offers good flow capacity when removing rainwater from your roof. A simple trick can turn this fixed obstacle into a movable downspout. Even when using a ladder stabilizer, the safest and easiest way to work is to assemble as much of the gutter system on the ground as possible. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! The stabilizer also rests on the roof, rather than on the shingles, fascia or house siding, so theres no worry of accidental damage from contact with the ladder. The downspout carries water down the side of the home. You should use a carbide-tipped blade for cutting the aluminum, and it will cut a straight line very easily. The Dremel makes a precise cut, making the gutter material easier to crimp and install. This required cutting a short section of gutter, seaming the piece onto the end drop, and then applying an end cap using the gutter mastic. Tin snips are ideal for cutting soft metals like aluminum and copper, and are especially useful for cutting sheet metal, gutters, metal roofing, and studs. The furthest away from the foundation the better. The hacksaw creates a relatively precise cut, but it is slow to work with and will require more manual effort. Another tool that is sometimes considered for cutting a downspout is a Dremel tool. Cutting extra downspout material is easy with the Dremel Saw-Max! amzn_assoc_linkid = "56aab05c73857e97f4dc473d8935dfcc"; Set the 48-inch piece of downspout into the saddle created by removing the top of the elbow. Taking the time and working through it section by section will produce a clean cut. For cutting aluminum, your best bet would be for a blade suited for non-ferrous materials. Each hidden fastener comes with a 1/4-inch hex-head screw that you power drive into the fascia board to hang the gutter. A carbide blade will work well for this purpose. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "eht1-20"; I was working with standard 5-inch gutters with a K profile. Making sure there are no annoying leaks as water flows You can add hinges to these extensions to eliminate all the hassle they cause. Our Elbow Flip-Up Extensions are so well accepted that many housing developers require them on their homes! Tin Snips. The real key to cutting them properly is to use the appropriate blade. Now you can preserve your downspout extensions and keep your sanity while you mow. I used a straight edge to follow the trajectory of the elbow toward the wall where the second elbow would be located. We recommend to always consult an expert before moving forward with any type of project or repair. To avoid wasting material and accomplish the job more quickly, consider using a jigsaw instead. I then temporarily taped the second elbow to the wall. As far as the sharp edges are concerned, you really need to be cautious because they can cut you like a razor blade. At that corner, first level the string, and then drop the string about 1 inch per 40-foot run and snap the chalk line. Show details. Thats it! amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; The parts are joined by fitting the larger end of one over the smaller end of the other. Step 1: Measure Measure the area that you need to cut and mark the downspout at that appropriate space. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool , Dynamic Metal Rendering: Downspouts for Gutters Comparison Page. If you are talking about cutting it to length, you may try an old blade reversed in a circular saw and carefully cut the tube, well supported, and with the saw depth only slightly deeper then needed for one side. If you have a miter saw, can you use it for cutting downspouts? Once you understand the type of style you need, you are ready to order your downspout hinge! Miter saws are the most common tool used for cutting gutters, especially metal and plastic gutters. We want to take a moment to have a word on safety. Safepath EZ Edge Transition Rubber Threshold Ramp is an easy solution to solve threshold barriers. Fasten the two together with a single pop rivet on each side of the elbow. At 2 1/2 inches in from the end of the elbow, cut upward over the top of the elbow. Always were cut-resistant gloves, long sleeves, and long pants. Quite honestly, if you have anything that can cut metal, it can be used for cutting a downspout. As long as you take your time and use the appropriate tools, you can get through the job safely. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands while cutting. 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. If you fit a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade, you will repeat the same procedure as using a reciprocating saw. This is done by releasing the shoe and then hooking the blade into the locking apparatus. 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. As mentioned above, the water should be diverted at least 4 to 6 feet away from the house. As a result, during a rainstorm the water was cascading off the rear of the roof and pounding a trench along the foundation wall, where it was seeping through the ground and migrating through the cinderblock, as evidenced by water stains on the interior of the wall. If not, measure the appropriate length you will need to cut. What Is The Thickest Piece Of Aluminum You Can Cut With A Dremel? That is also true of a jigsaw. You could install the blade backward to use it, but its not worth the effort. Remember, measure twice - cut once. (How To). Measuring the downpipes is done by considering the roof area. You Cannot Have Your Metal Cut At Home Depot You want to measure from the bottom of the main gutter to the ground. See you next time at ACSERVICETECH Channel!Supervision is needed by a licensed HVAC Tech before doing this as Experience and Apprenticeship garners Wisdom and Safety.Check out this Playlist Next!Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Refrigerant Charging-----https://www.youtube.com/playlistlist=PLxnHR5_D2ojzAUXWWQt9A8juotNkzwYlkPlease add any Questions or Comments in the Box Below and I will Get Back with You! Repeat the process. Below are a few power tools we recommend if you are cutting a vinyl or aluminum gutter, ranked from the best to worst for the project. Always wear safety glasses when doing DIY projects. They can include tin snips and other similar tools that are used for cutting aluminum. NAACOO 2 Pack Gutter Downspout Extensions, Downspout Extender - Rain Gutter Downspout Extension Set, 58 in + 65 in Flexible/Shapeable Drain Pipe with Gutter Connector & 8pcs Screws(Brown). Visit www.thespoutoff.com. Be safe. Also, underground downspouts are more effective because they can pair with French drains and sump pumps to throw water far away from the building. You can cut out the larger hole with a tin snips, or you could use an oscillating multi-tool equipped with a metal-cutting blade. 1. The light-duty tool has a throat depth of 1-1/8 in. 3004 Gill St. Suite 800, Bloomington IL 61704, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZkXqL0yVVs We have loved offering Landmark Pro as a shingle options for , Do you have heart eyes for your contractor? Next, install brackets at each end of the gutter and along its length every 36 inches. If you had never heard of cutting downspout until today, youre not alone. Plus, merely writing about work, sure does beat doing actual work. Wear your safety glasses. Gutter fasteners come in a wide variety of styles and shapes. Never work on downspouts in open-toed shoes. Unreel the line as you move to the opposite end of the fascia. Luckily, cutting the gutter downspout from your roof doesnt require a professionals arsenal of tools, and they can be easily found. These are especially beneficial for cutting at odd angles. Water Management Carlson Exteriors Inc. What To Expect For Your Siding Replacement. Ellenkate grew up on job sites run by herfamilys construction company. Although the gutter sections are surprisingly very lightweight, they can be rather cumbersome for a single individual to carry up the ladder and nail in place. You need to find out how large you need the piece of downspout to be before you begin cutting from your roof. Cutting downspouts can be accomplished with tin snips or a jigsaw. Her design and DIY work from her Chicago loft was featured in theChicago Readerand onApartment Therapy. I know its a small issue but taking the time to mow and trim around your fixed downspout extensions can take a lot of extra time. These hinges come fitted for 23 spouts and 34 spouts and can be matched to whatever your downspout color is! The aluminum gutters are so lightweight that a single screw will hold the section temporarily in place. There's not much I haven't encountered over my 30-year career, hence the reason why I'm one of the core contributors at The Tool Scout. The only difference is that you will have to seam together the separate gutter sections at the roof line rather than on the ground. The installation shown in this article is pretty straightforward, with no corners to overcome during the project. 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. But using a miter saw for cutting aluminum is more versatile, more accessible, and a time saver. Not only does this simple bracket attachment safely prevent the ladder from swaying from left to right while youre standing on it, but it also provides a 10-inch standoff from the roof line, which makes it easy to access the fascia and gutter without obstruction from the ladder. Crimping the downspout will make it fit inside the elbow without any problems. The first step is to sketch out your gutter system on paper so you can quantify the various components required. Angle grinders are electric-powered tools that have interchangeable blades for performing tasks such as cutting through all kinds of metals and types of tubing, but this task requires a metal cutting blade. All of my Velcro strips are weathered and worn, so they no longer hold my down spouts up while Im mowing. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Table saws are better suited for ripping long items and not necessarily cutting something that is somewhat flimsy, such as a piece of a downspout. Cutting the downspout is easy, but you want to take your time. You will have both hands on the saw, allowing you to guide the blade to wherever you want it to be. What can you use to cut a downspout properly? As an affiliate of retailers(like Amazon), we earn from qualifying purchases. At the same time, however, if you put a metal cutting blade on the table saw, it can cut through the downspout quickly and cleanly. The result is that you will remove a section from the top of the elbow that is 2 1/2 inches long and as wide as the entire width of the elbow. If you are cutting vinyl downspout, you can use the SM500 Wood and Plastic Wheel. The metal tube turns out into the yard to carry rain runoff away from the home so the water doesn't settle around the home's foundation. 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