How to Replace Downspouts

Downspouts are a very important feature of a home. They are designed to carry water and rain from a house. Downspouts usually will last a long time, but as with anything with normal wear and tear they may need replacing. Taking an old downspout down and putting up a new one can be a simple task. There are very little tools that are needed to complete the job.

Items needed:

• Power drill


• Tape measure


• Hack saw


• 2 elbows


• Downspout


• 1 square shoe


• 1 package of gutter screws

Instructions:

1. Use a power drill to take out the screw from your gutter directional shoe. This is located at the very end of your downspout. Once the screw is out, pull the end shoe completely off.


2. Remove the screws from the two metal pieces holding the downspout to the house. There should be one at the top of the downspout as well as one at the bottom. 


3. Pull the middle section of the downspout from the elbow. The elbow is usually connected to the top of the downspout. Sometimes the middle part of the downspout may be screwed to the elbow. Use your power drill to remove the screw.  


4. Use your power drill to remove the top of the elbow from under the gutter. The screw is located in the back and front of the elbow. Remove the elbow from the gutter. 


5. Replace the old elbows with new ones. Put these underneath the side of the gutter in the same place as the old ones. They should face the correct direction. Use your power drill to make sure the gutter screws are tight. 


6. Take a tape measure and measure the length of the straight section of the downspout. Measure both the old and new piece. Use a hack saw to cut the new downspout piece down to the same size as the old one. Attach the new piece into the elbow. They should slide perfectly together.  


7. Attach the second elbow to the straight section. The part of the downspout with the curve should be the part that is closest to the house. This makes it easy for the downspout to rest closely to the house.  


8. Take your drill and create a self-drilled concrete screw through each metal hole. Drill each screw through the center and tighten them.  


9. Use your tape measure and measure the length of the old downspout. Take your hacksaw and cut a new piece the same length. Attach the downspout into the second elbow. Drill a gutter screw through each hole and into the downspout. Place the square shoe on the end of your new downspout.