Why Were They Used?
Concrete gutters, also known as Finlock gutters were used all over the UK. Tens of thousands of homes still have them installed and are typically found on homes built between 1950-1970s. They were used as a cheaper alternative to replacing the cast iron gutters in home building due to the steel and other metal shortages during the war effort. The concrete was seen as a low cost and durable alternative.
Furthermore, Finlock guttering was a low maintenance approach to the guttering in a large portion of the UK. Unfortunately, concrete gutters have not stood the test of time and are prone to several issues, such as leaking and mould. For this reason, concrete gutters are a failing system and will require consistent maintenance and repairs if not replaced.
How Are They Installed?
Concrete Finlock gutters are comprised of two troughs, lined up horizontal. One of the troughs is visible, and the other is above the wall to cover the cavity. They vary in length and range between 200mm and 250mm. They are sometimes reinforced with iron rods and sealed with bitumen, but this is down to the owner’s decision. However, bitumen is a viscous material used in road surfacing and roofing due to its waterproof properties and corrosion resistance.
Despite their humble start, there are a few Finlock gutter problems, and they can be quite costly to repair and replace in the short and long term. However, Finlock guttering is less common than the uPVC alternative and is often encouraged to be changed and replaced entirely by a removal specialist.
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