Concrete guttering...

[FrostiesMum]

Afternoon all,

Looking for any advice or experiences of concrete finlock guttering and having it replaced? Our 1960s house hasn’t had a lot of maintenance in the last 20 years so we’re slowly working our way round to things and this is heading up the list. We’ve got asbestos drainpipes but I’m not sure if you get new drainpipes when you have the guttering replaced or whether that would be extra.

Anyone willing to share costs or recommendations on contractors would be amazing!

Thanks all

You will find that nobody will replace the guttering without the safe removal of the drainpipes first and that will need a specialist. The area has to be sealed off...

Because the drainpipes are attached to the guttering, only a cowboy would take the guttering off and leave the drainpipes in place.

Thanks @ajaslipstick that’s helpful to know

All of the guttering / downpipes near us are the same so I didn’t know if this would be something that companies would be used to or whether I would neee different companies. Sounds like we’ll have to do the pipes first and then do the guttering then. Is this something you have had experience of of?

don't accept the first offer

if you are in an area where it was used, there will be multiple contractors and multiple homeowners who've been through it. Drive around looking at other houses and try to engage the homeowners in conversation.

I am not in an area where it is common, but I've heard that trying to coat the gutter trough with bitumen or fibreglass is poor. I understand you may need a roofer to extend the eaves so they will drain into a new normal gutter.

If you can find a good roofer they should know someone local.

Whoever you go for, insist on visiting a house they have recently done, and quizzing the homeowner on their satisfaction. Make sure it isn't the roofer's mum. Take a pair of binoculars and look at it. If possible, go inside and look at the ceilings for traces of damp.

Search for "finlock" on here

I haven't been through it but I live in Australia where asbestos is incredibly common due to the high amount of newer (1960s onwards) housing.

PigletJohn gives good advice though....definitely ask around. Even asking on Facebook local groups for people's experiences or recommendations.

Phone some local Asbestos removal companies too.