If you have a home built between the 1950s and 1970s, you may have Finlock guttering. Finlock guttering is concrete guttering around the base of your roof with the purpose of directing water from your roof into the drains and away from your home. Although originally designed a rust-free alternative to metal guttering, there are a few Finlock gutter problems if you fail to maintain it properly. Luckily, with the right advice and care you can avoid these issues.
Uneven Guttering
Concrete is heavy. This means that Finlock guttering can start to sag over time and if it’s left alone, it could even become dangerous if a section were to fall.
The sagging could also be a result of changes to windows or doors, meaning that they become more difficult to open, as the frames for your original doors and windows were supporting the guttering above.
Lining Failure
Despite Finlock guttering being created as the solution to other guttering problems, they aren’t a long-lasting solution. Their lifespan is typically around 30 years, meaning that many homes that had this type of guttering originally are now facing problems.
The lining failure is one of the biggest issues, as this leaves gaps into your home which could cause damp in bad weather. If the damp freezes inside your walls, this could also create cracks internally, making a much larger problem which may require sections to be rebuilt.
Thermal Bridging
If you’ve noticed a horizontal grey line appearing on your walls, this could be due to thermal bridging.
Thermal bridging is when a cold material meets with a warm material and begins to cool down the warm area. In this case, it’s where the concrete meets your inner wall. This causes a line of condensation, which could lead to your wallpaper peeling off or larger problems with your plaster.
On tiled walls, the damp that’s inside the wall may even cause the tiles to raise up away from the wall.
Solutions for Finlock Gutter Problems with Gutter Maintenance
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, there are a couple of Finlock guttering solutions available to you.
The more expensive option, but also the most thorough, is to completely replace your guttering. This will require a team of experts to carefully remove the existing guttering and failed linings and replace them with PVC alternatives, which will be lighter, more weather resistant and longer-lasting. They may also have to remove and replace some of your roof tiles in the process.
Alternatively, you could have your Finlock guttering repaired or relined. The quote for this would vary depending on the amount of damage. It would normally require a team to remove the old lining completely and re-line the whole area with EPDM or rubberised bitumen.
If you need an urgent repair or replacement of your Finlock guttering Oxford, then we’re here to help! At Gutter Maintenance, we have an experienced team of professionals who are dedicated to repairing and replacing your guttering, fascias and soffits.
We provide advice and support to help you make an informed decision and will work with you every step of the way until your guttering is as good as new.
If you’ve noticed a problem with your Finlock guttering, contact our friendly service team today.