Hi everyone! I'm diving into some home improvement and have a few questions about reattaching a downspout to my brick siding. I've got some experience, but I want to make sure I'm doing this right. Here are my questions:
1. When I put the screw for the band or bracket, should it go into the brick itself or the mortar? I've seen conflicting advice on this.
2. What kind of fastener should I be using for the band on the siding? I was thinking of a Tapcon screw, but what length and diameter should I aim for?
3. The old downspout was installed in the mortar. If I don't want to reuse the old holes, can I fill them with something? If I do reuse them, should I do anything special to help the new fastener hold?
Thanks for any advice!
3 Answers
I’d say that plastic anchors with #6 screws have worked fine for me, and I live in a pretty windy area. Tapcons might be a bit overkill, honestly!
Totally get that! At some point, the downspout will just give in anyway, right?
For your first question, drilling into the brick is generally the best option if you have the tools, since it's stronger. If you can't, using the mortar is usually fine too since a downspout isn't too heavy. For your second question, a Tapcon screw of around 3 inches should work, but check the band hole size for the right diameter. Regarding old holes, if they're too small for the new screws, you can fill them with mortar to keep things stable.
Got it! I'll give it a shot, sounds easier than I thought.
Honestly, you just need some good brick or stone anchors and a hammer drill for the pilot holes. Should be straightforward!
I feel you! Since it's my second attempt, I want to be extra sure this time.