Adding downspouts to existing aluminum gutters?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by hot diggity, Jan 28, 2019.


  1. hot diggity

    hot diggity Monkey+++ Site Supporter+++

    Anybody have any experience with this? I have 65 feet of one piece aluminum gutters with downspouts at each end. They become overwhelmed when we have really heavy rains, and it takes very few leaves in the gutter to make things worse. Water has backed up under the shingles during three past hurricanes, and I had to go out in the storm to clear the down spouts.

    I have porches front and rear and would like to drop a downspout down the back of each of the porch corner posts. I'm sure the gutter installers have a nice punch to pop a hole in the gutter and attach a standard downspout tube. This may be the best/cheapest way to go. Just wanted to see if there are any experienced gutter installers who might offer advice.

    As an extra bonus, the addition of downspouts allows more flexibility in my rain water collection efforts, and more control of the runoff.
     
  2. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    Did you check youtube for diy videos?
     
  3. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    One thing that will help is put in the 5 inch downspouts. That will help the water drain much faster.
    4 inch gutters and downspouts are normally considered residential , but now days we're installing 5 inch on everything, especially when you have long runs without downspouts about every 20 feet or so.
     
  4. hot diggity

    hot diggity Monkey+++ Site Supporter+++

    Yup. What I found looked like hack jobs using PVC pipe. I can make a nice punch to pop the larger rectangular holes, but for just four holes it seems like a waste of time. The round adapter I see in the Youtube video is easy, but it's so small my trees would plug it in a minute.

    I'm thinking that the pros might be the best bet here. I sit back and watch. Their truck, their tools. No getting the wrong parts, cutting stuff too short, finding all the sharp edges, or falling off the ladder.

    Old and lazy? Maybe. But with age comes wealth and wisdom. :)
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2019
  5. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    Napa auto parts has and "Exhaust punch" that is essentially a hole punch that only needs a 1/4 pilot hole and two 9/16 wrenches to use! Or, a simple hole saw would work too! The better gutter supply places have a flanged spout insert that you glue into the existing gutter trough and then add your down spout! You can rivit it together, but the rivits tend to catch leaves and stuff, just glue it with Gorilla glue and call it good!
     
  6. sec_monkey

    sec_monkey SM Security Administrator

    well youtube might still help as @VisuTrac suggested, 5 inch should also help as @SB21 said and it would not hurt to install a leaf-guard type system yerself to keep em from getting clogged :) :)
     
  7. hot diggity

    hot diggity Monkey+++ Site Supporter+++

    I'd love to do a leaf guard, but my grape vines and pine needles could create quite a challenge for the screen.

    Thanks for all the advice. If it didn't have to pass muster by that woman, I'd do it myself.

    Is answering your own questions the same as talking to yourself?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 28, 2019
  8. sec_monkey

    sec_monkey SM Security Administrator

    what @Ura-Ki suggested would also work if did not have to pass muster :) :)

    pine needles are indeed a problem but there are variations of the leaf-guard type system that should be able to deal with them

    (y) (y)
     
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  9. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    It's called thinking out loud.
     
  10. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    Totally normal! Its when you have full blown conversations with your self, migjt be a problem, or not! Lol
     
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  11. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    I really don't see a problem with that,,[dunno]
     
  12. snake6264

    snake6264 Combat flip flop douchebag

    Larger downspout is good larger gutter as well maybe the permanent fix easy to make a hole in the aluminum cut your hole insert downspout tube silicone and zip screws Honestly if the gutter guys can do it anyone can
    It is a simple diy repair no drama just be careful on the ladder Hope all goes well
     
  13. TnAndy

    TnAndy Senior Member Founding Member

    I mark the bottom of the gutter with a piece of downspout, then mark an "X" from corner to corner. Punch a hole in the center of the X with a utility knife (hammer it thru), then use a pair of snips to finish cutting the X to the corners. Bend the triangles down, put the downspout up to the new hole, drill a 1/8" hole in the spout into the triangle tabs bent down, and use pop rivets to hold the spout to the bottom of the gutter. The make a nice adapter piece for this, but you have to do a lot of trimming and fitting to make a nice oval hole....plus caulk under that flange.....my method works fine.

    [​IMG]
     
  14. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    Yea,, I may have forgot to mention you have to add the bigger drain hole along with the spout. Sometimes I just assume it's all common knowledge.
     
  15. Lancer

    Lancer TANSTAFL! Site Supporter+++

     
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  16. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

    consider drilling a few holes about a foot from the bottom of your existing down spouts... that way if they get blocked they will drain at a higher level with out causing water to back up under the shingles... Just a thought...
     
    sec_monkey likes this.
  17. hot diggity

    hot diggity Monkey+++ Site Supporter+++

    It's not the bottom that's the problem. They get a couple pine needles across the opening in the gutter, then a couple leaves, and pretty soon it's blockage enough to allow the entire gutter to fill with water and not have enough pressure to push the blockage down the pipe. I can be very proactive with the gutters and the trees that are close to the house, but once the hurricane winds start all bets are off. I get leaves from everywhere. It's a big enough issue that I lash a ladder to the deck for easy access to the roof in case I have to clear gutters or patch a leak in a hurry.
     
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  18. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    They've got so many styles of gutter guards that it's hard to keep up with what will work. And they are expensive . And wether they work well enough for you is another thing. And pine needles are hard to keep out . I just finished a project on a million plus dollar lake house and they put some gutter guards on it that are perforated metal with a real fine mesh screen on top of it , and water was just spilling over the top of the gutters last I seen it. . Wish I could come up with an effective style , I'd be a millionaire. Good luck HotDiggity.
     
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  19. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    Have the trees cut down close to your house throwing leaves and pine needles in your gutter.
    Can you legally catch and save the water from your roof top?
    Only asking since I've heard some states are azzholes about rain water?
     
    sec_monkey likes this.
  20. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    In Alaska, If it falls from the Sky, and you catch it BEFORE It touches the earth, it is yours... Once it touches the earth, it belonds to the State, and you must secure a Water Right to access it, Legally.
     
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