How to Attach a Drain Spout to My House

Insert a down spout end piece with an outlet into the point in your gutter where the downspout will be installed. Typically, a downspout is located at the end of the structure or in a corner. If there is a run of gutter more than 10 feet long, downspouts may be installed at the center of the run instead. These will have to be cut to fit the outlet in place. The end piece can be fitted in place of the gutter’s end caps in existing gutter systems.

Attach a downspout elbow over the gutter outlet so that it bends toward the wall and measure the distance between the end of the elbow and the wall.

Cut a length of downspout to the measurement noted in Step 2 with a saw and connect this piece to the elbow. Attach a second elbow to this, positioning it so that when the downspout is installed, it will run flush against the wall.

Measure from the end of the second elbow to about 6 inches above the ground and cut a length of downspout to this measurement with the saw.

Slip one end of the downspout into the second elbow. Make sure the ends are firmly inserted and won’t wiggle free as you work. The crimping on most aluminum downspouts ensures a tight fit if fully inserted.

Attach the downspout to the wall with clincher bands. Secure the clincher bands to the wall with screws suitable for your wall material, placed about 2 feet apart. Wood siding requires deck screws, vinyl requires screws or nails, and stucco or fiber cement walls require masonry screws.

Attach a shoe at the bottom of the downspouts that don’t run into an underground drainage system or a standpipe. Shoes enable the downspout to expel the water onto a splash block and resemble an elbow but are only crimped at one end.

Seal all connecting joints, including where the downspout meets the elbows, with caulk.