Downspouts are very necessary for collecting rainwater. They help in keeping the rainwater away from your foundation so that it doesn’t erode the soil around your foundation. Cutting a downspout is not something you’d come across every day. Fortunately, it is effortless to cut a downspout. Here we will show you How to cut downspout.
Contents
How To Cut A Downspout – Step By Step Guide
Total Time: 1 Hour
Step 1: Measuring
The first step should be taking the measurements for your project. Measure the height from top to the bottom of the downspout. In case you replacing the downspout with a new one, you can measure it for perfect measurements. Be very sure of the measurements before you mark them and start cutting.
Step 2: Mark The Measurements
Once you have taken the measurements, you need to mark them on both the side of your downspout. Use your carpenter’s pencil for this purpose. On one side of your downspout, you need to hook the tape measurements so that you can stretch it down to the other end. Once it’s stretched out to the required level, mark the measurements. Make one more mark 2 inches longer than the first. The third mark needs to be 2 inches shorter than the first mark. Once you are done with it, you need to repeat these marks on the other side of your downspout.
Step 3: Bring It In Position
Once you are done marking the lengths. Lay your downspout down on a flat surface. The surface should have proper clearance for cutting the downspout. You can use a workbench and clams if you need extra stability.
Step 4: Take All Precautions
Working with any power tool requires all the precautions you can take. Don’t wear loose clothes, dangling jewelry that can get stuck in the tools while operating them. Wear ear and eye protection. Make sure that you wear gloves, and hearing protection is the most important. You can wear long sleeves T-shirt while working. 5) Cutting it
You can either cut a downspout with a jigsaw or with tin spins.
A. Steps to cut it with a Jigsaw:
Before cutting the downspout, make sure that you are following all the precautions.
With a metal-cutting blade in your jigsaw, you can cut through the downspout. You will get a smooth cut if you cut your downspout with a jigsaw. Over its two sawhorses, position your downspout. Then, either ask someone to hold the downspout steadily or use clamps for the same. This technique will ensure that the excess part of your downspout falls over the floor.
B. Steps to cut it with Tin Snips:
Cutting downspout with tin spits is quite easy. Use the tin spins of shears. It will let you poke a hope in the downspout along with your marked measurements. Cut a hole and cut along the marked lines.
You won’t get an as accurate and clean result as you will get from a jigsaw. You can hide all the jagged edges inside the prefabricated elbow. The elbow is where your downspout will be fixed. So, a very smooth and finished edge is not a worry because all the jagged edges will eventually go inside the elbow.
C. Steps to cut it with a Hacksaw:
You can use a hacksaw to cut downspouts. At first, place it inside the miter box then face the line you drew before. You need to make a 90 degrees cut. The opposite parts should be outside the line on the wood. Using a hacksaw, start cutting. Make sure you don’t go off the line you marked. You don’t have to hurry, be slow, and you will get the best outcome. Be very careful while cutting the last strokes. They are a bit complicated.
Step 6: Crimping The Downspout
A crimping tool will ensure that your downspout fits perfectly inside the elbow. It will crush or deform the end part of the downspout if you try fitting it without a crimping tool. Just crimp both the corners of your downspout with this tool. And you will create an end which fits perfectly inside the elbow.
The Things You Would Need To Cut A Downspout
You require the following things to cut a downspout:-
- Downspout- It is the most important requirement here. Because we will be learning how to cut it.
- Tin snips: a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade or a hacksaw- They are used to cut the downspout. Jigsaw will give you a smooth finishing. At the same time, the finishing can be compromised when you will use tin snips.
- Carpenter’s pencil- This special pencil is suitable for marking on concrete on stone. The marks drawn by this pencil are clear and easy to follow with any blade.
- Tape measure- This is needed to measure the measurements of the cut you will be making on your downspout. Getting accurate measurements is almost impossible without a tape measure.
- Safety goggles- Safety is the priority here. Power tools are hazardous and require the utmost precautions. So, with safety goggles, you also need ear protection.
- Gloves- Gloves saves your hands from tiny metal splinters than can hurt you.
- Crimping Tool- This tool ensures that the downspout fits easily inside the elbow.
FAQs
1. Which Tool Can Be Used To Cut Gutters?
You can use a hacksaw and aviation snips. You can also use a sharpened 12-inch power miter saw with a carbide- tupped finish blade to cut gutters.
2. How expensive is it to replace a downspout?
The total cost varies between $1,500 to $2000 per job. Repairing costs around $5 to $10 per installation. Also, it costs $100 to remove and dispose of faulty downspouts.
3. Which is the best extension for a downspout?
Genova AT575 Spout Extensions and Amerimax Home-Products ” Downspout Extension. They are two of the best extensions for a downspout.
4. What is a downspout used for?
It is used for collecting rainwater. It carries it from the roof and directing it from the foundation. It prevents flooding in the basement on a rainy day.
5. How often can someone put a downspout?
There should be at least one downspout present within every 40 linear feet of gutter.
6. Can a downspout be buried?
Yes, it is fine to bury a downspout. This will give you a neater look. You can hire a professional to bury it.
Final Thoughts
Downspouts are great for channeling the rainwater away from your foundation. Most DIYers never even cut a downspout. You are not alone in this. It is not a difficult job. If you follow the steps given in this article, I am sure you will be a pro in no time.
If you own a jigsaw, you should use it to cut your downspout. It provides you with the most accurate output. Using tin snips is good if you don’t own a jigsaw. They don’t give a very finished output, but the jagged edges always end up being inside the elbow. So, if you don’t have a jigsaw, tin snips are a great option. You can even use a hacksaw, but you will have to be very attentive and cautious while cutting, significantly while cutting the last strokes because everything will be a mess if they go wrong.
A crimping tool will be of great help while inserting the downspout inside the elbow. You can work without a crimping tool as well, but the result will be compromised. Hence, cutting a downspout is an effortless job to master.
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