Finlock gutters, otherwise known as concrete gutters, were originally built on homes between 1950s-1970s as an alternative to some scarce materials (such as steel) that were used in the War effort.
Photo by Soyol-Orgil E. on Unsplash
Despite their strong start, Finlock gutters have shown to breakdown over time, becoming porous and prone to issues.
Over time, Finlock gutters lose their waterproof properties and become porous; allowing water to seep through and create damage. To repair this, they will need costly repairs and ongoing maintenance to rectify any damage. For a lot of homeowners, this raises the question: should you line or remove your concrete gutters?
Finlock gutters can present a lot of issues, such as:
Lining failure. This is caused by water that has seeped through due to the failing of the gutters. It can be incredibly problematic and can lead to other damages. As such, it should be addressed immediately to avoid further costs.
Cold/thermal bridging can be challenging in all weather conditions and can even affect your home’s energy consumption and how well your home insulates. When these problems arise, it can sometimes cause the wallpaper to peel away from the wall, damaging the beauty of your home.
Additionally, Finlock gutters can wear down and begin to sag which affects the beauty of your home and the guttering’s functionality.
Because Finlock gutters lack reliability with water, they aren’t very good at draining water. The water remains in the gutter system for long periods of time and can cause issues with the fabric of the building which increases risk of mould and damp growth. In extreme cases, the water will cause a puddling effect and can attract pests or begin to collapse the guttering.
Damp and mould can start to grow and cause further issues for the interior of your home. The damp and mould can grow substantially, causing the wallpaper to come away from the walls and potentially be an issue for your health.
These issues can be irritating and expensive to fix. This tends to leave concrete gutter owners confused about what they can do.
The two main resolutions for Finlock gutters are either lining them or opting for a Finlock gutter removal and replacement. For a Finlock gutter lining, the gutters are cleaned down and restored to working order and then fit with a waterproof membrane tailored to the gutter. This is a great solution if you are a little short on cash as it offers a short-term solution to your gutter issues.
However, a Finlock gutter replacement is always a better fix as it will resolve issues and ensure they do not return. Saving you money on future recurring repairs. A Finlock gutter removal and replacement is a costly procedure, but the most economical as it means the issues do not return and you get brand new, efficient gutters.