How are My Concrete Gutters Costing Me?
Finlock guttering is a gutter system made from concrete that sits on top of the cavity walls of the house, consisting of two horizontal troughs – one visible and serving as the gutter and the other spanning the cavity between the internal and external walls. They were a popular form of guttering for homes built between the 1950s and 1970s when there was a shortage of steel materials in the post-war period.
However, since that time it has been recognised that they are not as durable as was initially thought, and many homes with Finlock guttering have begun to suffer many unpleasant effects of having this type of guttering.
Thermal Bridging
If your home has concrete, Finlock guttering it will most certainly be causing your home to have what is known as ‘thermal bridging’. Thermal bridging occurs where greater heat transfer occurs – compared to the surrounding materials and is where there is a break in the insulation, less insulation or the insulation is penetrated by an element with higher thermal conductivity.
With more updated building processes and greater insulation in homes, the impact of thermal bridging has become greater - and research has shown that thermal bridging can be responsible for up to 30% of a household's heat loss. With the increased costs of electricity and gas, this 30% loss is a painfully high expenditure – and with the winter approaching - only likely to increase.
Heath Costs
One of the other huge costs of thermal bridging in houses, caused by concrete guttering, is the fact that it causes mould and damp inside the property. Moulds produce allergens which can become airborne spores causing allergic reactions, such as sneezing, running eyes and noses, red skin and rashes, and in extreme cases asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
Mould growing in houses, as a result of thermal bridging, usually appears in bedrooms, or bathrooms, that are under the eaves of the house and therefore able to irritate whilst the home’s inhabitants are sleeping. Whilst not impacting homes financially, having to deal with mould and damp creates a huge toll on the health of those living in the house.
Costs to repair damage
Dampness caused by thermal bridging or broken guttering can cause physical damage inside bedrooms or bathrooms that require replastering or decorating – an additional cost which is painful in the current economic situation. Concrete gutters can become damaged outside the property as a result of the wear and tear of the materials.
The inclement weather in the UK, added to the seasonal issues of leaves falling, can cause the gutters to become blocked and begin to deteriorate further – especially if they’ve not been maintained and treated since they were installed decades ago. If left unattended, broken and leaking guttering can sag or even collapse completely, leading to greater damage to the walls and windows below – not to mention the creation of an eyesore that will ruin your house’s curb appeal – ruining any chances you might have to sell your property at a good price.
What Are The Benefits Of Replacing Your Concrete Gutter?
Replacing your guttering and downpipes might seem like a vast expense that you can ill afford in the current economic crisis, but not replacing them is more likely to cost you far more in the future. It’s as the proverb says, “A stitch in time saves nine”. By spending upfront to replace your faulty guttering with uPVC guttering, which will last for decades, you will be investing in the future of your home – making financial savings for years to come.
You will immediately be recouping your investment in the costs of heating your home this winter, and by preventing large bills for replastering, redecoration and removing the much greater risk of damage to the structure of your house, you will make even greater savings.
At Finlock Removals we believe that the cost of not replacing your concrete guttering will be far higher than the cost of getting smart, clean, durable uPVC guttering – protecting your property and family’s health for years to come.
How much will it cost? You might well be asking. Well, you may be pleasantly surprised that it might not cost as much as you might be imagining. The professional team at Finlock Removals will be more than happy to offer you a free, no-obligation quote - and as we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service as well as our high-quality products, we’re confident that it will be an investment worth making.
So, get in touch with a member of our expert team today to begin your journey to saving money by replacing your concrete gutters.
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