CONCRETE OR FLINLOCK GUTTERING

Flinlock Guttering or concrete guttering as it’s known as is an extremely troublesome product from the 1950’s / 1960’s.

There are several different types of Flinlock guttering. (Concrete Guttering) which was manufactured and installed in the 1950’s.

A company called Royston made several designs, Pattern N0; 828462

Over the years problems develop such as sagging above windows. When replacing windows with a different design sometimes the concrete guttering above tends to sag.

With the movement in a house over the years sometimes the guttering can move and allow damp to penetrate through the joints or even hold excessive water in the guttering.

With the guttering being made out of concrete blocks, damp is transmitted from the outside to the inside causing damp patches on the walls. (Requiring decorating only to have the same problem next winter) Pattern 647813

There are companies on the market that have lined concrete guttering and can line the insides of the guttering which has proved successful for a period of time but cannot be considered as a permanent solution.

Different types of linings have been used in the past from tar, aluminium, lead and plastic.

This design has a life span of approximately five to twenty years which I've had customers say “it would see them out” but in real terms by installing one or any of these products you still have underlining problems.

Damp and cold is still transmitted through the guttering into the inside which makes the rooms cold, also the concrete will inevitably sag over windows without a lintel.

When the guttering starts to sag it will cause problems even when the guttering has been lined. Such as holding water and water lying in the gutter. Sagging over windows and doors, especially over large openings such as patio doors or French doors. This can cause opening problems which then causes a security problem.

Only by doing the job properly and removing the majority of the concrete can the problems be solved.

Having replaced hundreds of concrete guttering properties we know how to overcome the problems without causing further problems.

By surveying the property properly and making sure you have the right equipment and materials then there shouldn’t be any problems.

First we require the equipment to work at the correct height and the only safe way is by scaffolding. Even with a bungalow you still need to work on a safe and secure platform.

Here you can see our installers finishing off cleaning the fascia boards on a bungalow working on a safe platform.

Once the platform has been erected now the hard work begins.

This photo shows the outside of the concrete guttering which needs to be removed safely.

By removing the tiles and stacking them out of the way we can see what we are doing and how far to remove the concrete back.

We now need to install a timber frame on the inside on the window while we remove the concrete.

This ensures the inside stays intact whilst removing the concrete on the outside.

By cutting back over the brickwork and above the windows this now takes the pressure off the windows leaving the rear part intact forming a lintel.

In some cases we have needed to install a lintel to the inside or angle iron to support the existing concrete.

Whatever we need to do we do without costing the customer any extra and also worrying them unnecessarily.

We install vented soffit boards so that the roof space and timbers may breath. (Some companies don’t install vented soffits or any other means of ventilation)

New 16mm or 20mm Swish fascia boards are now installed to the braces with 65mm stainless steel fixings to ensure the fascias stay straight and true.

New ogee guttering and down pipes are installed to take the water away quickly.

A new row of tiles in addition to the existing tiles will be installed. As you gather because we have extended the roof timbers we now need to install additional tiles. We usually install second hand matching tiles to blend in with the existing roof.

Some companies don’t extend the existing timbers which defeats the object of removing the problems of the roof. i.e. by securing directly to the existing concrete you transmit the cold directly trough the PVC into the concrete and into the house also the roof cannot breathe as no ventilation points have been installed.

Advantages removing the concrete guttering and installing new Swish Fascias, Soffits and Guttering with Fascias 4 u Midlands Limited.

• No more problems with damp.
• No more problems with water seeping through into the internal walls.
• No more black mould or plaster falling off.
• No more decorating every twelve months.
• No more water holding in the guttering.
• Insulation will be scientifically better and the room warmer.
• Cosmetically this product will enhance any home.