Things You'll Need
90-degree elbows
1/2-inch sheet metal screws
Drill
Phillips-head driving bit
Tape measure
Straight downspout
Hacksaw
Sheet metal crimpers
Chalk
Downspout straps
Masonry bit
Wall anchor
Hammer
A gutter system is not complete until the downspouts, which run down the exterior walls and often extend into the yard, are connected and secured. Metal straps secure downspouts to walls and prevent the downspouts from moving and potentially disconnecting from the gutter system. Pay special attention to your handiwork when you secure downspout straps to a brick house so the screws will hold tightly for a long time.
Step 1
Slip a 90 degree elbow into the gutter's downspout outlet, with the crimped end pointing down. Drive two half-inch sheet metal screws through the elbow, connecting the elbow to the outlet.
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Step 2
Place a second 90 degree elbow against the brick wall, in the location you wish the straight portion of downspout to begin. Don't secure it to the wall yet. Instead, measure the distance between the horizontal (or nearly horizontal) end of this elbow and the (nearly) horizontal end of the elbow you installed in Step 1. Add 3 inches to this measurement.
Step 3
Transfer the measurement from Step 2 to a piece of straight downspout, measuring from the crimped end. Cut the downspout straight across with a hacksaw.
Step 4
Stick the straight downspout's uncrimped end over the first 90-degree elbow. Drive two sheet metal screws through the elbow to hold the downspout in place. Place the second elbow over the downspout's other end. Secure these two pieces together with sheet metal screws.
Step 5
Measure from the vertical (lowest) part of the second elbow down to about 6 inches from the ground. Transfer this measurement to another piece of straight downspout and cut the downspout to this length with a hack saw. If the piece you cut does not already have one crimped end, crimp it now.
Step 6
Push one of the downspout's ends over the second 90-degree elbow's down-facing end. Secure it in place with sheet metal screws. Measure 24 inches up from the ground and place a mark on the brick with a piece of chalk.
Step 7
Position a downspout strap behind the downspout at the mark you made in Step 6. Gently move the downspout aside. Outline the downspout strap onto the brick.
Step 8
Drill one pilot hole at the center of the tracing. Use a masonry bit large enough for the wall anchor you will use to fit inside.
Step 9
Push a wall anchor into the pilot hole. Tap the wall anchor with a hammer to drive it in as far as it will go (flush against the brick). Place the downspout strap over the wall anchor. Drive a sheet metal screw through the downspout strap and into the wall anchor.
Step 10
Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for any additional downspout straps you will use to hold the downspout in place. Place the straps approximately 10 feet apart.
Step 11
Center the downspout over the downspout strap. Bend the strap's ends around the downspout so they overlap in the front. Drive a sheet metal screw through the strap's ends and into the downspout. Repeat this step for any additional straps you mounted.
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