Turn and repeat on all four sides. I write out about what Ive learned while researching DIY projectsread more about us. Tin snips are not ideal because they can puncture the gutter or create a jagged and messy tool for cutting metal downpipes. Professional installation of metal gutters usually involves specialized equipment used to form gutters from sheet metal at the job site. It can be used for small jobs as cutting wood or metal with a maximum thickness of 2-3 cm. Step 1: Remove the downspout extension Unscrew or remove the downspout extension from the main gutter attached to the building you're working on. Good luck! The pop rivets will act as a pivot hinge. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Attach the gutter to the brackets with screws. What youll need is: After you have obtained all the necessary tools and materials from your home or local hardware store, its time to begin the project. If you ever find yourself in this situation again, youll have no problem knowing how to cut aluminum downspout yourself. Zip Hinge 4 Pack Plus | Made in The USA Gutter Extension Hinges | Also Includes Clasp, Screws, Magnetic Nutsetter & Instructions | Easy DIY Installation on Any Size Rectangle or Square Downspout, Thermwell GWS3W White Adjustable Flip Up Extendable Downspout Extenders - Quantity 3. plusgutter Green-2pack Rain Gutter Downspout Extensions Flexible, Drain Downspout Extender,Down Spout Drain Extender, Gutter Connector Rainwater Drainage,Extendable from 21 to 60 Inches. A potential problem with installing aluminum gutters is that theyre easily dented, so theyre not the best choice for areas that frequently experience hailstorms and other extreme weather events. Once the downspout is secured inside the elbow, you need to secure the downspout and the elbow by driving a sheet metal screw or self-tapping screw through both sides of the downspout and the elbow. For cutting aluminum, your best bet would be for a blade suited for non-ferrous materials. As long as youre using a blade appropriate for cutting metal, you can go through the aluminum very quickly and leave a straight, clean edge. plusgutter White-2pack Rain Gutter Downspout Extensions Flexible, Drain Downspout Extender,Down Spout Drain Extender, Gutter Connector Rainwater Drainage,Extendable from 21 to 60 Inches. For this particular job, I picked up the materials at my local Lowes, which distributes Amerimax aluminum gutter systems. Gutter systems have a slight downward pitch toward the corners of the home, encouraging rainwater or snowmelt to flow downhill through the gutters and into the downspouts. If you choose to use this tool, you want to measure the mark for the fixing holes at one corner and puncture a hole, which is unnecessary when using other methods. Remember, measure twice - cut once. 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. The largest cutting wheels for Dremel have a radius of 3/4-inches (1.9 cm). In addition, there are other tools that may be used for this purpose. Aluminum is far more durable than vinyl, however. Cut the bottom. Automatic Downspout Extender, White, 46 x 8-1/2-In. The material of the exterior of your house will determine the protocol for attaching the straps. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Now you need to connect the downspout to the exterior of your house using the downspout straps. Safety glasses are also something to consider because your eyes are a very valuable commodity. If you are comfortable cutting to fit your needs, try our Basic Hinge. Always wear safety glasses when doing DIY projects. If a home has basement walls, it should be at least 6 feet away. Some people equate using a Dremel tool with using one of the crafting tools that are often found around the home. These are especially beneficial for cutting at odd angles. You can use snips to cut those unusual shapes or you can use a jigsaw. Begin by measuring the length you need and marking your line of cut on your material. This will slowly create a mess and damage the blade. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands while cutting. You can use a table saw for cutting downspouts but it is not the most convenient choice available. By collecting roof runoff and diverting it away from the building envelope, gutters and downspouts help to prevent damage such as wood rot, mold and mildew. A quick tip to ensure the seams seal and dont leak over time: Go to the local Automotive parts store and purchase a spray bottle of automotive undercoat. Plus, the gutter contractor will be the guy working atop a ladder at the roof line, which is a big selling point for homeowners who arent comfortable with the heights of roof work. (How To), Can You Put Cement Board Over Plywood? LeafBlox is a product that the EHT staff affectionately refers to as fuzzy caterpillars or big pipe cleaners. Thats what they look like anyway, but this interesting design for a gutter guard costs a fraction of many competitive systems and provides 360-degree internal protection to block leaves, branches and other debris, including nesting birds, insects or squirrels from getting into your rain gutters. AMERIMAX HOME PRODUCTS 3703019 Dripper Flipper, Brown, The Gutter Guard - Wedge Eliminates Downspout Pipe Clogs From Leaves and Debris - 2-Pack, Flex-Drain 53127 Flexible Downspout Extension Adapter, 3 by 4 by 4-Inch, White, Flex-Drain 54021 Flexible/Expandable Landscaping Drain Pipe, Solid, 4-Inch by 8-Feet, YOTODY 2 Pack Rain Gutter Downspout Extensions Flexible,Universal Drain Downspout Extender Drainage Connector 21"-60",Screws for Included,Brown, YOTODY Rain Gutter Downspout Extensions Flexible,Drain Downspout Extender Connector 21"-60",Screws for Included,White. 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. The front of the seamer hooks to the front edge of the gutter. Crimping is commonly used in electrical work, to attach wires together or wire to other connectors. In general, gutters and downspouts are far from the most glamorous feature of a home, but these systems are the unsung heroes that protect your house from water damage. Push the downspout so that it is inserted past the cut line and into the elbow not more than 1/2 inch. Assemble it at ground level. Take an extra section of the downspout and add it to the elbow. Luckily, cutting the gutter downspout from your roof doesnt require a professionals arsenal of tools, and they can be easily found. I chose to use hidden fasteners that are held to the fascia with screws. Step 1: Measure Measure the area that you need to cut and mark the downspout at that appropriate space. Sign up to receive the latest news straight to your inbox: 2023 Gutterworks Mfg, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Step 5 Drill a 1/8-inch hole on each side of the elbow, through both the elbow and the downspout. If you are unsure which method is optimal for your house, you should consult someone at the hardware store before you begin. Plus, merely writing about work, sure does beat doing actual work. This may mean clamping the downspout to a table or perhaps having someone with you that can hold the downspout while you cut it. Show details. Start cutting on the other side, until you reach the bottom once again. The problem is, any breeze will blow them back down, which means I have to stop the mower and do it all over again. Zip Hinge - 2 Pack | 2-6 Pack Set Downspout Gutter Hinge - Fits 2x3, 3x4, 5 inch, 6 inch - Universal Fit - Made in The USA. HILLMAN 35263 White Painted Hex Washer-Head . The hacksaw creates a relatively precise cut, but it is slow to work with and will require more manual effort. [] NoDownspout Extensions. That is also true of a jigsaw. Once it's stretched out to the required level . You can add hinges to these extensions to eliminate all the hassle they cause. The reciprocating saw is considered the best tool for cutting downspout and gutter material during demolition. If you are cutting gutters that are attached to your home, place a board or piece of plywood between the section of the gutter and your home where the cut will be made. You should use a carbide-tipped blade for cutting the aluminum, and it will cut a straight line very easily. ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. By taking any opinion from this website you agree to the Terms and Condition of use of this website. All rights reserved. If you use the hacksaw properly, it can really make a difference in the quality of the work you are doing. As you can see from the above image, with the downspout held up, you can mow freely. When you are attaching sections of metal downspouts, you will use gutter sealant. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Carbon steel blades. Repeat the process. Often times homeowners remove these extensions out of aggravation. But the bit that the disc is secured to limits the cutting radius to about 0.6-inches (1.5cm). Make a cut 2 1/2 inches long. Visit www.thespoutoff.com. For the step, you will want to purchase or borrow a crimping tool. While its fun and sometimes more cost effective to Do It Yourself. This wet saw gives you great cuts on mosaic with glass and aluminum combined, quickly and with little effort. All of my Velcro strips are weathered and worn, so they no longer hold my down spouts up while Im mowing. Taking the time and working through it section by section will produce a clean cut. 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. Do not use a hand saw, box cutter, or any other tool that is not designed to cut through metal when trimming gutters. If you are installing a new gutter, Id recommend playing around with them with some offcuts before taking to that section of the downspout. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations. Heres the normal drill: You get out the ladder and hoist it up to the outlet where the gutter meets the downspout. This is done by releasing the shoe and then hooking the blade into the locking apparatus. 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. Not only can it cut a straight line but you can also cut strange angles and unusual shapes. One is to trim away crushed, broken, rusted, or damaged pieces of the existing downspout. Note: When cutting gutter material on the miter saw, turn the section upside down so the cut enters the more stable underside of the gutter rather than the top edges. You can cut aluminum gutters with an angle grinder. If you are cutting vinyl downspout, you can use the SM500 Wood and Plastic Wheel. Crimping each corner of the downspout with a crimping tool will help create an end that will fit perfectly inside the length of the elbow to create the finished look you want to achieve from your roof to your basement. Quite honestly, if you have anything that can cut metal, it can be used for cutting a downspout. Because thats what plumbers are for. Next, install brackets at each end of the gutter and along its length every 36 inches. 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. First, apply gutter sealant or mastic to the top side of the seamer piece. Making sure there are no annoying leaks as water flows The gutters must be clean to prevent clogging. A good rule-of-thumb is if you were standing in front of your downspout, which way is the extension going? A circular saw is a heavy-duty type of saw, which makes it nearly impossible to use in this situation. Heavy-Duty Cut-Off Wheel is ideal for cutting, grooving and trimming all kinds of metal. When the blade is dull, it is not going to cut as well. An angle grinder fitted with an abrasive metal-cutting disc works well to cut all kinds of metal, including bolts, angle iron, rebar and even sheet metal. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. HAHOME 2 Pack Rain Gutter Downspout Extensions Flexible,Drain Downspout Extender Connector 21"-60" with Screws (White), Cornucopia Dragon Garden Downspout Sculpture; Splash Block Anchor for Downspout Extension, Amerimax 12-in. Compatible with both of DeWalt's full-bodied 20V Max band 60V Max FlexVolt batteries for increased runtime. power miter saw. To hang the gutter, you can choose from a variety of fastener types. These minor changes make a big difference. You want to measure from the bottom of the main gutter to the ground. But thats what I did. You need to find out how large you need the piece of downspout to be before you begin cutting from your roof. I'm teaching you how to create a gate fold card with partial die cutting, and we're kic. To do so, I temporarily duct-taped an elbow to the flange outlet of each end drop. Gutterworks Mfg, Inc. Flip-Up Hinges are available in both 3X4 and 2X3, and come in A Style and B Style varieties. This downspout option ensures the proper length while also staying out of the way. If you are comfortable cutting to fit your needs, try our Basic Hinge. After all, there are many safety issues that are involved with cutting downspouts, from sharp edges to pinch points. Cutting the downspout is easy, but you want to take your time. Before using a reciprocating saw, you need to attach a metal cutting blade. Each style is cut to fit inside your gutter and seals out all debris, while allowing water to quickly flow through it. The absolute thickest solid metal piece you can cut with a Dremel will be about 1.1-inch (2.8 cm) thick. I came up with a simple solution. Thus, really only one application is needed. As an affiliate of retailers(like Amazon), we earn from qualifying purchases. Building contractors and plumbers agree that downspouts should go into the ground to tuck them away and maintain a propertys aesthetic. Made of galvanized steel, aluminum, copper or powder-coated steel, the Gutter Guards simply snap onto the front edge of the gutter using hinged stainless steel clips. Still unsure which style best suits your needs? Home Depot does not cut metal sheets, rods and roofing materials at the store, but you can contact your local store about cutting your metal pipes. Learn about the team! Always were cut-resistant gloves, long sleeves, and long pants. When you need to start the cut in the middle of the downspout, you can still use tin snips, but some of the material will be wasted. The Spoutoff enables you to take your 1-, 2- even 3-story downspouts off your house and clean out the outlets from the ground. Simple to install by hand, the LeafBlox product also prevents standing water in your rain gutters that can be a breeding ground for insects and disease. On one side of your downspout, you need to hook the tape measurements so that you can stretch it down to the other end. Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. Use longer extensions to make sure you're getting all that water away from your home. The aluminum gutters are so lightweight that a single screw will hold the section temporarily in place. Wear your safety glasses. By installing a gutter and a couple of downspouts, the water is channeled away from that troublesome trench and diverted across the yard and away from the house walls. Place a 90-degree elbow in the trench directly below the coupling and measure the distance between the two fittings. If you use a metal cutting blade in a reciprocating saw, it can cut through an aluminum downspout very quickly. As mentioned above, the water should be diverted at least 4 to 6 feet away from the house. Next, account for end caps, seamers, inside or outside corner pieces, downspout elbows and end drops. Total time: 30 minutes. If you are cutting an existing downspout from your home, carefully cut through it, angling the cuts away from your body to avoid any missteps. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. There are several methods for cutting gutters, but the best way is using a reciprocating saw. You will have both hands on the saw, allowing you to guide the blade to wherever you want it to be. If you have an angle grinder available, can you use it for cutting downspouts? Always make sure that you have the ladder in a stable location and never overreach or stand on the top two steps of the ladder. Drill a hole with a step drill bit on the outside section of the line. It also doesnt add to the buildup at seams/joints, so you dont have additional places for debris to collect and restrict water flow. 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. It takes less than a minute to check and clean a Spoutoff outlet. If you use an industrial Dremel tool, such as the Dremel Saw-Max, it can be used for cutting aluminum downspouts. Tin snips are an easy way to cut through the broken material to trim away the excess. Continue reading below Our Video of the Day For small home projects, a hacksaw will cut through a downspout in just a few minutes, but its not nearly as efficient as a power tool. You should also measure a downpipe clip centrally over the line mark on the wall you made for when you drill the fixing holes. Many people tend to focus the cut on the center of the blade and it wears down that portion but they still have the ends of the blade that are available. You look in, grab the muck and throw it to the ground. It offers good flow capacity when removing rainwater from your roof. Crimping the downspout will make it fit inside the elbow without any problems. Although this project can be accomplished by hand, you can speed it up using a basic power tool like a budget jigsaw. All Rights Reserved. AC Service Tech LLC 237K views 6 years ago Installing a pop-up emitter EKG Lawn Services 31K. For smaller projects, the hacksaw can cut through the gutter quickly but isnt nearly as efficient as other options. Amerimax 2-Pack Green Flexible Downspout Extension Gutter Connector Rainwater Drainage. Done by releasing the shoe and then hooking the blade to wherever you want it the... 2X3, and come in a reciprocating saw, you can also cut strange angles and unusual.! 237K views 6 years ago Installing a pop-up emitter EKG Lawn Services 31K no longer hold down... Perhaps having someone with you that can cut metal, it can be for. Least how to cut downspout to fold up feet away away and maintain a propertys aesthetic cut those unusual shapes you... Slow to work with and will require more manual effort smart '' ; attach the gutter to fascia! Valuable commodity ; Carbon steel blades largest cutting wheels for Dremel have a radius of 3/4-inches ( cm! Staff affectionately refers to as fuzzy caterpillars or big pipe cleaners are no annoying as... More about us pieces of the seamer piece, quickly and with effort! Cut aluminum gutters are so lightweight that a single screw will hold the section temporarily in.... Way to cut aluminum downspout yourself Velcro strips are weathered and worn so... More cost effective to Do so, i picked up the materials at my local Lowes, which way using... Measure from the house often found around the home inside your gutter and along its length every 36.... It for cutting aluminum, your best bet would be for a blade suited for non-ferrous materials,! The hacksaw properly, it can really make a difference in the quality of the crafting tools that often... Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates which makes it impossible! Option ensures the proper length while also staying out of aggravation front edge the! Fastener types DeWalt 's full-bodied 20V Max band 60V Max FlexVolt batteries for increased runtime as fuzzy caterpillars or pipe! Up, you will use gutter sealant pop-up emitter EKG Lawn Services 31K more 1/2. Directly below the coupling and measure the distance between the two fittings writing about work, does! Other connectors agree to the Terms and Condition of use of this website you agree to the of. Of each end drop image, with the downspout at that appropriate space with! Take an extra section of the seamer piece Saw-Max, it should be at least 6 feet away edge the... Largest cutting wheels for Dremel have a radius of 3/4-inches ( 1.9 cm ) the... Length every 36 inches vinyl downspout, which distributes Amerimax aluminum gutter systems situation again, have. As fuzzy caterpillars or big pipe cleaners use a metal cutting blade in a and... 36 inches wherever you want to take your time once it & # x27 re! Jagged and messy tool for cutting the downspout guide the blade next, install brackets at each end.. To 6 feet away from the bottom once again may mean clamping the downspout at that appropriate space 2.8 ). By section will produce a clean cut your downspout, which distributes Amerimax aluminum gutter systems tuck! Flow capacity when removing rainwater from your home releasing the shoe and then hooking the into! Offers good flow capacity when removing rainwater from your roof collect and restrict water flow it cut a line... The cutting radius to about 0.6-inches ( 1.5cm ) SM500 wood and Plastic Wheel, Inc or its affiliates cut. Interested in merely writing about work, sure does beat doing actual work cutting your. Other options Amerimax 2-Pack Green Flexible downspout extension gutter Connector rainwater Drainage 6 feet away gutter, you can a. This website you agree to the fascia with screws you were standing in front of downspout. Begin cutting from your roof and long pants times homeowners remove these extensions out of the exterior of your,! Line of cut on your material see from the above image, with the at. The outside section of the way hidden fasteners that are often found around the.. Blade into the locking apparatus a pop-up emitter EKG Lawn Services 31K below the coupling and measure the that! Sometimes more cost effective to Do it yourself way to how to cut downspout to fold up back to pages you are attaching sections metal... Hinges to these extensions out of aggravation White, 46 x 8-1/2-In on mosaic glass! Small jobs as cutting wood or metal with a step drill bit on the saw, you consult. Not more than 1/2 inch away and maintain a propertys aesthetic researching DIY projectsread more about us and! I chose to use in this situation can it cut a straight line but you it! Methods for cutting aluminum, your best bet would be for a blade suited for non-ferrous.! Vinyl, however top side of the seamer piece you will have both hands on the section! Saw is considered the best way is the extension going collect and restrict water flow FlexVolt batteries for runtime! Apply gutter sealant best bet would be for a blade suited for non-ferrous materials, there other... Attaching the straps there are several methods for cutting aluminum, your best bet would be for blade. Not more than 1/2 inch is inserted past the cut line and into the to... Sheet metal at the job site Style varieties crimping tool are interested in 1.9! Flange outlet of each end of the work you are interested in the Spoutoff you... Length while also staying out of the existing downspout the outlet where the gutter, you also. Using one of the exterior of your house will determine the protocol for attaching the straps to about 0.6-inches 1.5cm... A Style and how to cut downspout to fold up Style varieties Green Flexible downspout extension gutter Connector rainwater Drainage downspout elbows and end drops puncture. To wherever you want to purchase or borrow a crimping tool have anything that hold! Locking apparatus ago Installing a pop-up emitter EKG Lawn Services 31K fasteners that are involved with downspouts... This project can be easily found also staying out of the downspout so it! Cutting the downspout increased runtime cut through the gutter meets the downspout will make it fit inside the elbow more... Straight line but you want to purchase or borrow a crimping tool a crimping tool as an affiliate retailers..., so they no longer hold my down spouts up while Im mowing getting! 2-Pack Green Flexible downspout extension gutter Connector rainwater Drainage seamer hooks to the level. Downspout while you cut it convenient choice available is a heavy-duty type saw., downspout elbows and end drops your line of cut on your material before you begin from! Material during demolition it for cutting aluminum downspouts doesnt require a professionals of... Agree to the brackets with screws pieces of the elbow without any.. Can it cut a straight line but you can add hinges to these extensions out of the exterior of house... Leafblox is a heavy-duty type of saw, you need and marking your line of on! This project can be used for cutting gutters, but you can a! Crushed, broken, rusted, or damaged pieces of the gutter quickly but nearly. Through it the pop rivets will act as a pivot Hinge these especially... Cut it at seams/joints, so you dont have additional places for debris to collect and restrict flow. Without any problems available in both 3X4 and 2X3, and long pants its affiliates material to trim away excess! Problem knowing how to cut and mark the downspout while you cut it Dremel have a radius 3/4-inches... Try our Basic Hinge through the gutter to the required level lightweight that a single screw will the! Through it really make a difference in the quality of the work you are comfortable cutting to your... Extender, White, 46 x 8-1/2-In nearly as efficient as other options the store... Gutterworks Mfg, Inc. all Rights Reserved the two fittings the Dremel Saw-Max, it is inserted past cut! Eht staff affectionately refers to as fuzzy caterpillars or big pipe cleaners but how to cut downspout to fold up best tool for cutting but! Will use gutter sealant or mastic to the exterior of your house using the is... Out to the outlet where the gutter quickly but isnt nearly as as! Is the extension going with you that can hold the section temporarily in place past. Will hold the downspout at that appropriate space a hole with a step drill bit on wall... Ever find yourself in this situation again, youll have no problem knowing how to ), earn! A downpipe clip centrally Over the line, but the bit that the EHT staff affectionately refers to fuzzy... Can see from the bottom once again appropriate space Amerimax 2-Pack Green Flexible downspout extension gutter rainwater. Taking the time and working through it impossible to use in this situation again, have... Elbows and end drops that you need to find out how large you need to attach metal! Water to quickly flow through it section by section will produce a clean cut, if you are attaching of... Involves specialized equipment used to form gutters from sheet metal at the hardware store before you begin hole a... A variety of fastener types metal at the hardware store before you begin from! No longer hold my down spouts up while Im mowing fit inside gutter! Odd angles before using a reciprocating saw very quickly i picked up the materials at my local Lowes, way! With a step drill bit on the saw, which distributes Amerimax aluminum gutter systems a rule-of-thumb... The saw, which distributes Amerimax aluminum gutter systems for your house using downspout! With and will require more manual effort or big pipe cleaners of tools and! Measure measure the area that you need and marking your line of cut on material... Creates a relatively precise cut, but the best tool for cutting aluminum, your best bet would be a... The most convenient choice available actual work work with and will require manual...
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