Guttering Plastic To Metal

[susanxx]

My garage has guttering made of metal but I want to attach a water butt to collect rain water off the roof(I am on a meter so want to harness as much to use in the garden and car washing). There is a plastic end cap on one end, not the end where I can position my butt(no sniggering please) so I assume it maybe possible to combine the two. If it is possible I am a little unsure how to create the joint between the two pieces, would I have to try and cut the metal or try to undo the very rusty bolts that seem to be holding it together?

[douglas9401]

Hope this helps. :)

http://www.waterbuttwarehouse.co.uk/downpipe-connectors

[The Builder]

One end of the gutter run must have an outlet which lets the water run into a downpipe (approx 2 1/2" ....... 65mm).

Douglas's link shows fittings that connect to that. I'm afraid I can't quite understand why you're trying to connect to the metal gutter, Susan :o(

[buildersmate]

Yes, you should be connecting into the downpipe, not the gutter. These fixings (shown in the link above) work by cutting the downpipe and placing 'device' into the pipe gap where the cut is formed. The water flows down the inner surface of the downpipe and gets diverted into the butt until full, whence it fills no more and forces further rainwater to flow down the lower downpipe again.

[susanxx]

Don't think I explained the problem very well! Detached garage with guttering around 3 sides, one long side on neighbours side, the short back side on anothe neighbours side and the final long length in my garden. The one downpipe(plastic) is at the end of my length into the drain. The plastic endcap has been attached to the metal guttering but the position means I am unable to place the waterbutt at this end and it has to go at the opposite end, on the corner with the short back piece of guttering. So I am wondering how I can connect a piece of downpipe to this area, that being plastic to metal. Or would the most cost effective way be to replace all the guttering with plastic?

[The Builder]

Susan, if it's the type of steel guttering I'm thinking of, I guess it's quite old.
You would have to cut into the gutter, take a short section out, and replace it with a "running outlet".
Older steel gutter was 4" Imperial measurement. Any good tradesman/handyman could adapt a modern outlet, but you might find it difficult.
Modern fittings are larger. The difference could be made up with extra thickness of seals. If it is old, then I think that a new complete run of plastic would be a sensible investment.

[susanxx]

Thanks for the help. Although I do like a challenge I think this is a bit beyond my capabilities, I'm getting on a bit too! I think I need to get a more expert individual on the job.