Creating A Beautiful Indoor Environment

You will need to put in a downspout after you have installed your gutters to order to move water from the gutter and direct it away from the foundation of your house. Water running down alongside the foundation can eventually damage the foundation walls and cause basement leaks. Here is how you can install a downspout.

You Will Need:

• Electric Drill
• Crimping Tool
• ¼" Self-Drilling Screws
• Metal Cutters
• Downspout Straps
• ¾" Nails
• Hammer
• Measuring Tape
• Standard Gutter Elbows (A & B)
• Ladder
• Spray Paint

A Word on Elbow Types

There are two standard types of elbows commonly used to hang downspouts (a standard elbow is bent at a 75 degree angle). One is the "A" elbow that directs the bottom extension of the downspout toward you as you stand in front of your house and the "B" elbow angles the extension sideways away from you.

Place Elbow in Gutter Cup

You should place an A elbow into cup on the underside of the gutter with the angle of the elbow bent toward the face of the house. Hold the elbow into place by using a self-drilling screw.

Install Header

Measure the distance between the end of the elbow on the gutter cup and the face of the house where you'll be placing another A elbow – you'll want to add four inches to your measurement to make sure the section of both sides of the header downspout will fit into both ends of the elbows. Cut the length of downspout you need using metal cutters.

Use your crimping tool to crimp one end of the cut section. Then slide that section into the elbow you will place on the front of the house. Slide the other section over the crimped end of the elbow connected to the gutter cup. The header will stay in place while you complete the downspout.

Install Downspout

Measure from the bottom of the header elbow (resting against the house) to the top of the elbow that will be placed at the bottom of the downspout (remember to add four inches). Cut out the section you need. Put another A elbow on the bottom of the downspout if you want water to flow toward you down the driveway.

Place Downspout Straps on House

Connect two to three downspout straps (depending on the length of the downspout) onto the house. You can affix the straps to the house using a hammer and ¾" nails. Slide the downspout into the bottom of the header elbow. Wrap the straps around the downspout and use self drilling screws to hold everything in place.

Put on Extension

Slide the extension into the bottom elbow end so water flows away from the house. The extension does not have to be screwed in.

Paint Screws

Use a small can of spray paint (same color as the downspout) to cover the screws so they don't stand out. You are now done. (For more information on gutter installation, contact Alaka'i Raingutters & Supplies)