Concrete gutters?! Anyone else suffering?

[Malt_Vinegar]

I have to get mine done, they are ruining 4 rooms of my house and can't get decoration done till it is sorted.

Had quotes from 2.3k to 4k for 12 meters to be replaced.

Going to bite the bullet at 3.4 from a bigger company. Anyone else had them done? Interested in experiences and prices paid and how the work has held up!

 

[MassiveJim]

never seen this, can you not replace with plastic ??

 

[topgun06]

Yes, that what he is getting quotes for. Sounds like a frustrating expense

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

never seen this, can you not replace with plastic ??

Yup, that's what the cost is.

They are finlock (or very similar). Small interconnected concrete blocks. They are massively flawed.

They are large concrete blocks, which form the top part of the wall structure, with an overhang containing the gutter tray. They leak at the joins after many years. People line them either aluminium or other structures which generally last up to 10 years.

Mine have been done before and are just not up to the job with the amount of tree litter we get. It means the water does not run well, (they are installed totally flat) any build up causes water to sit over the joins and eventually seep through to the wall both inside and out.

Removal requires disc cutting off the large concrete frontages, removing 2-3 rows of tiles, sorting out the airflow/damp proofing, installing new treated wooden boards with required airgaps, the more modern facia boards and guttering can be installed, downpipes replaced, and the whole roof can be sealed up again.

The problem is that they are what the roof sits on effectively, so it's a big job to do!

 

[MassiveJim]

Yup, that's what the cost is.

They are finlock (or very similar). Small interconnected concrete blocks. They are massively flawed.

They are large concrete blocks, which form the top part of the wall structure, with an overhang containing the gutter tray. They leak at the joins after many years. People line them either aluminium or other structures which generally last up to 10 years.

Mine have been done before and are just not up to the job with the amount of tree litter we get. It means the water does not run well, (they are installed totally flat) any build up causes water to sit over the joins and eventually seep through to the wall both inside and out.

Removal requires disc cutting off the large concrete frontages, removing 2-3 rows of tiles, sorting out the airflow/damp proofing, installing new treated wooden boards with required airgaps, the more modern facia boards and guttering can be installed, downpipes replaced, amd the whole roof can be sealed up again.

The problem is that they are what the roof sits on effectively, so it's a big job to do!

oh
on the plus side, its a worry you won't have after the work is done.

 

[ANDARIAL]

Can you not fibreglass the inside?
Totally waterproof then(they use it in ponds )
How high is the gutter?Probably a lot of the cost is for scaffold,maybe?

 

[silverblack]

The nephew had his done re-lined with whatever material used.

 

[Six6siX]

Big cost but as you say it is a big job and worth doing in the long term if you plan to be there a while!

A lot these concrete guttering and soffits tend to have Asbestos which might be complicating matters - could this be what is making it more expensive?

 

[ANDARIAL]

I still think fiberglassing the gutters would be easier and cheaper.You could put that anti leaf mesh in there to keep leaves etc out after
Whatever you decide I would be interested in a few pics of the ongoing work when you get it done m8

 

[Amp34]

Can you not fibreglass the inside?
Totally waterproof then(they use it in ponds )
How high is the gutter?Probably a lot of the cost is for scaffold,maybe?

Was thinking the same, but it sounds like most of the cost is going to be labour in removing the guttering in the first place. Sounds like a massive chore!

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

Can you not fibreglass the inside?
Totally waterproof then(they use it in ponds )
How high is the gutter?Probably a lot of the cost is for scaffold,maybe?

The problem with liners, and things is they do no solve the damp problem, just the leaking issues. They also have issues with joins, especially when you join to a neighbour! If they do not have a lining, it's pointless to do it on yours.

I have looked into this, and it seems to properly fix it, you have to have them removed, at least partially.

 

[SKILL]

I have them on my house, yay

I looked into it quite a bit when buying the place, currently they don't seem too bad but I realise it's only a matter of time.

Like you've read the lining options aren't great, but also some removal seems to be *just* cutting off the front bit, that would still leave a bridge over the wall/cavity which is at least part of the problem (condensation in winter). The best solution seems to be removing the entire block, but it's obviously by far the most expensive and disruptive (mine at least sit at the top of the upstairs room walls, rather than above into the loft space).

I'm planning an extension hopefully in a couple of years, that will involve extending the entire 'front' of the house which is the biggest bit of guttering removing the problem as it'll no longer be an exterior wall, just hope they can last that long...

 

[AngryLester]

Had mine done last year, cost 1600 for the front and back of the house. He was a independent bloke who specialised in them and has done most of the estate that I live on due to the good job he does.

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

Wow, where was that? That's very cheap!

I have done a lot of research, and found a company that seems to do it properly. It ultimately does seem that removal is the best solution, but it's a big deal doing it.

Cutting off seems to be the most sensible option, it just has to be vented and correct thicknesses of materials used to ensure the temperature differences are handled correctly to stop condensation build up.

I turned down a one man band type chap who offered it for £2600, and opted for the big company who has a long guarantee and been around a long time. It might cost me 1k more, buy I think it's safer.

Work is booked for 7th of Sept. Fingers crossed it makes all the issues go away! The Mrs is keen to decorate, and we have been holding off till it was done.