What is Finlock Guttering
Finlock guttering became popular across the UK in the post-war era and was still being installed on properties as late as the 1970s. The reason for its common use during this period was the simple benefits it offered in a time of rebuild and austerity.
Concrete was relatively cheap and readily available and so was seen as a cost-effective material and the construction process for Finlock Guttering was seen as time efficient allowing skilled workers to complete more work in a period of labour shortages. Concrete was also seen as a durable and rigid material offering longevity for the installed Finlock gutters and structural integrity to the building.
However, during this period of mass installation across the country, long-term issues were unforeseen resulting in gradual leakage, thermal bridging and aesthetic degradation. Also, due to the weight of the concrete used in Finlock guttering, structural damage occurred in many buildings leaving homeowners with costly repair bills. For these reasons, Finlock guttering has largely fallen out of favour and been replaced by modern lightweight alternatives.
What are the alternatives to Finlock guttering?
With the advancement in technology, came the development of other materials more suited than concrete for use in guttering systems including the following most popular options:
uPVC Gutters
uPVC is one of the most economical materials for guttering which is why they are regularly seen on modern buildings. uPVC is a lightweight material that is resistant to rust and corrosion, easy to clean and doesn’t require painting.
Aluminium Gutters
Aluminium guttering is another lightweight material with good durability which is corrosion resistant. However it is typically used on commercial buildings as it has proven to be quite noisy during heavy rain and also carries an "industrial" appearance
Cast Iron Gutters
Cast Iron gutters have been a popular choice of material for guttering for many years on buildings with a traditional or historical aesthetic. Cast Iron is known for its durability as it can withstand heavy rainfall as well as having a large capacity to aid water drainage. It is highly fire resistant and has low thermal movement caused by fluctuating temperatures. Able to be painted to match the building, it can provide a level of noise reduction. However, it is typically more costly than aluminium and uPVC guttering.
Guttering Lining
Gutter lining is the most cost-effective solution for repairing old damaged concrete Finlock guttering systems. By simply lining the existing guttering, you avoid tampering with the building’s structure -preventing any risk of structural damage. It is also a much quicker installation than fully replacing all the gutters. However, gutter lining is only considered a short-term fix as the previous issues that resulted in needing the lining will become apparent again over time, and the decision to replace the guttering or the lining will need to be addressed again.
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How can modern guttering improve my quality of life?
Modern lightweight and durable guttering material options provide your home with a cost-effective solution built to last, but this isn’t the only benefit of replacing your Finlock guttering. The primary function of gutters is to direct water away from the building preventing damage to the structure, however, the material choice for the guttering system can have a positive impact on your home’s energy efficiency, your health and your pocket.
Energy Efficiency
Aluminium, uPVC and cast iron are all highly resistant to corrosion preventing cracks from forming and water infiltration in the brickwork. It is this water that is one of the main causes of dampness, mould and mildew forming on your internal brickwork, and external damage to your building structure. By preventing this build-up from occurring at the source, you prevent the need for additional heating to counteract the loss through exterior damage and dampness.
Long-term and short-term savings
It is very clear that if your guttering system is working efficiently and preventing water from causing any damage then you will not find yourself in a situation where you need to use your heating more often due to internal heat loss. This is a saving in itself and combined with the current cost of living crisis we are all enduring, the savings could become quite significant. Other large savings would be from not having to pay for costly repairs caused by water damage to your home.
Health
Having a home that is well-maintained and free of mould, mildew and dampness is a great health benefit for all your family. Mould associated with damp buildings can trigger nasal congestion, coughs, sneezing, respiratory infections and exacerbate asthma and allergic conditions. These can have a severe knock-on effect on any vulnerable members of your family such as the young and the old, who may have weaker immune systems. By ensuring your guttering is properly installed and maintained you are providing your family with a healthier environment and promoting cleaner breathing.
What is the Finlock Removals way?
At Finlock Removals, all our teams are supplied with Easi-dec access equipment eradicating the need for scaffolding, meaning an average 3-bedroom family home can have its old Finlock guttering removed and replaced with brand-new efficient uPVC within two days. The process begins with pushing back the first row of roof tiles and face plates to offer easy access. A diamond-tipped cutting blade is then employed to cut away the Finlock concrete blocks. Be aware this is a noisy and dusty process but is also unavoidable as it is the best method to prevent structural damage.
A pressure-treated timber faceplate is then installed in the remaining concrete to provide a straight and solid base for the new guttering to attach to and prevent cold bridging. The highest quality uPVC fascias, soffits and guttering are then installed along with an EPS tray that slides underneath the felt and overruns your new guttering providing ventilation to your roof space. All our materials come with a 50-year guarantee, and they will not fade or discolour.
The last step is to join your new guttering to your neighbours if you share a downpipe. This is a crucial stage of the process and takes a great deal of skill – something our team has in abundance. Finally, we clean up any dust and debris into heavy-duty hippo waste bags leaving your property looking as if we had never been there – except for the stunning new uPVC guttering that is the envy of the street.
If you are considering replacing your old Finlock guttering but are unsure of the costs it entails, get in touch with one of our friendly team, who will be more than happy to supply you with an obligation-free quote and answer any questions you may have.
Trusted and reliable
Finlock Removals have been trusted by many as we have proven time and time again just how reliable we are both in our customer service and in the work, we complete for our many happy customers. We keep you updated throughout the process, make it minimal fuss for you, and ensure that the work is done to the best possible standard, so you don’t have to worry about your home.
Mr and Mrs Ashed | Coventry
We had our gutters lined by Finlock Removals, they were very professional and we aren’t experiencing problems anymore. If we decide to get them removed we will go back to Finlock Removals.
Mr and Mrs Rees | Surrey
We were looking at selling our property but found that buyers were trying to haggle money off because our property had concrete gutters. We decided to get them removed and replaced with upvc and we got our asking price.
Mr and Mrs Barker | Plymouth
Our concrete gutters were leaking, we’d had them lined by another company but apparently that counted for nothing. We decided to get them removed by Finlock Removals and haven’t looked back
Mr and Mrs Mason | Whitby
We’d had quotes from other companies but Finlock Removals really seemed to stand out and we’re so glad that we went with them.
Mr Franklin | Cheshire
I can’t believe how quickly the fitters completed the work and now it all looks so much better
Ms Ward | Essex
What a fantastic job! Signed the order form online, the fitters came with the access equipment, were polite and helpful and took the access equipment away with them