Why Do Finlock Gutters Fail?

Finlock gutters fail for many reasons, but the main issue with Finlock Gutters is their lack of reliability with water. Once the concrete expands, water can easily seep through and cause issues such as ‘puddling’ which is where water gathers and destroys the lining of the gutter. This can then result in sagging, leaks and water build-up. Long term issues associated with this are damp and mould growth, in and outside of your home. This can have detrimental effects on your health and the insulation of your home. When Finlock guttering goes unnoticed it can have many problems. In some serious cases, the water build-up can cause complete Finlock gutter failure and collapse. In other circumstances, the gutters can cause exterior issues and health concerns for your family.

Finlock gutters are concrete gutters, originally built as a tough and cost-effective alternative to steel. Due to steel shortages in the war effort, concrete gutters were a suitable alternative. Finlock gutters are mostly found on homes built between the 1950s-1970s and though they are not very common, they can be found across the UK. Despite their original reliability when being built, homeowners now face some Finlock gutter problems and as such are seeking repairs or replacements.

Common Finlock gutter problems

Lining Failure

Lining failure occurs due to the expansion and contraction of the lining due to changes in temperature. The thermal changes can lead to the separation of weaker points in the structure, and at the junctions. Because of this, the heavy troughs of concrete are prone to cracking which creates access points where water can enter and cause further negative effects. This kind of failure is incredibly detrimental and should be addressed immediately, as it can be very costly to rectify. In these cases, a Finlock gutter repair may be the cheaper solution. However, the issues will still return, therefore a Finlock gutter replacement is the best solution in the long term.

Cold/ Thermal Bridging

Cold bridging is when cold materials meet warmer ones, which results in the cooling down of the warmer material. Cold/thermal bridging can be problematic in all weather conditions and can affect your energy consumption, and how well your home insulates. When there is such a problem, the wallpaper can begin to peel away at the top of your wall. Alternatively, if the wall is tiled, the tiles can start to become slightly raised and potentially need redoing. Replacing the Finlock gutters will rectify this.

Sagging and Uneven Gutters

Finlock gutters act as effective door and window opening joists. However, if there is not adequate filling or strengthening when they’re fixed, they can begin to sag. Sagging is also a result of badly replaced windows, which can become difficult to close or open and ruin the beauty of your home.

The Guttering Has No Pitch

Modern guttering is tilted which allows rainwater to run away and down the downpipe to the drains. Finlock gutters, on the other hand, were installed on top of level walls which means the water has no escape and will sit in the guttering causing more damage over time. In some cases, rainwater will gather and can cause the guttering to collapse.

Failing Mortar Joints

As mentioned above, this allows water to seep through into your brickwork and can cause considerable damage that can be expensive to fix.

Damp and Mould Inside Your Home

When water is left in the guttering instead of being carried away from the property it can have many issues. For example, it can cause problems for the fabric of the building and increase the risk of mould and damp. Both of which can be hazardous for your health and your home.

Damage to Interior Décor

With the above issues, water damage and mould and damp are huge issues. Through damp and mould, the wallpaper can come away from the walls, water stains and damp can be seen, and paint can be ruined. Redecorating can be a waste of time as redecorating will only hide the issue. The gutters will need to be replaced entirely if you want these issues to stop completely.

There are several issues associated with Finlock gutters. The problems they bring can affect both your interior and the exterior of your home. The best solution to fix all concrete gutter problems is to completely remove the Finlock gutter and replace it with something more dependable, such as uPVC.

As there are so many problems associated with Finlock gutters, resulting in both interior and exterior issues, as well as damaging the beauty of your home, the best solution is the complete removal of the Finlock gutters and replace with something more friendly: such as uPVC.