Gutters - repair or replace

BoardsMember

Hi. We have a 1920s part red brick. Original (I presume) cast iron gutters and downpipes. Most are leaking and causing dampness in some walls. Wondering if I should just bite the bullet and replace all, or else maybe look at repair. I suppose it is hard to make the call without seeing. Most of the leaking is half way along the run where there is a join. Welcome any input, and even recommendations by PM.
Thanks.

my3cents

If the gutter is sound and you can get access to it and the leaks are just at the joints then I'd seriously think about keeping it. Its just hard to say without seeing it.

Is the leaking gutter clean?

BoardsMember

my3cents wrote: »

If the gutter is sound and you can get access to it and the leaks are just at the joints then I'd seriously think about keeping it. Its just hard to say without seeing it.

Is the leaking gutter clean?

Thanks for the reply.

No it's not clean. And we probably need to get the chimney re pointed or work done on them as they are flaking and the crap coming off them is ending up blocking the gutters. I think the gutters themselves are no longer true, i.e. there is not a drop over the length, but hard to tell as they are also dirty.

my3cents

If you can't maintain them yourself then perhaps replacing with plastic is the best answer?

BoardsMember

my3cents wrote: »

If you can't maintain them yourself then perhaps replacing with plastic is the best answer?

When you say maintain, do you mean re-read to stop the leaks and get them true? If you have any good links or advice for how to do it DIY then I'd be up for looking into it.

my3cents

What I mean is if you can't keep the gutters clean then you may not be the best person to repair them, sorry. Water isn't going to hang around trying to escape down a crack if the gutter is clean and it has somewhere else to go (obviously a crack will leak but only a small amount if the rest of the run is clear). Even a gutter that isn't quite level may run OK if its kept clear of debris, but will need cleaning more often as the debris will build up in the sections that are a low.

First thing has to be to get up and clean them out then note where the leaks are when it next rains. You'll have a good idea what needs doing when you clean them.

If its just the joints then you can knock of the old gutter bolts with a hammer and cold chisel (or grinder) open the joint up then reseal the joints with the mastic of your choice.

As for levels you have the start and finish points the highest point being furthest from the down pipe and the lowest at the down pipe so just run a line between them and adjust the brackets (do that before doing the joints). The brackets are the biggest problem as they may have rusted away or be impossible to adjust without snapping off.

Really you have to start repairing to see how much effort it takes then if it starts to prove impossible replace it.

BoardsMember

my3cents wrote: »

What I mean is if you can't keep the gutters clean then you may not be the best person to repair them, sorry. Water isn't going to hang around trying to escape down a crack if the gutter is clean and it has somewhere else to go (obviously a crack will leak but only a small amount if the rest of the run is clear). Even a gutter that isn't quite level may run OK if its kept clear of debris, but will need cleaning more often as the debris will build up in the sections that are a low.

First thing has to be to get up and clean them out then note where the leaks are when it next rains. You'll have a good idea what needs doing when you clean them.

If its just the joints then you can knock of the old gutter bolts with a hammer and cold chisel (or grinder) open the joint up then reseal the joints with the mastic of your choice.

As for levels you have the start and finish points the highest point being furthest from the down pipe and the lowest at the down pipe so just run a line between them and adjust the brackets (do that before doing the joints). The brackets are the biggest problem as they may have rusted away or be impossible to adjust without snapping off.

Really you have to start repairing to see how much effort it takes then if it starts to prove impossible replace it.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'd be confident I can clean the gutters. I just need to buy a long ladder.

If you had suggestion re where to buy replacement gutter bolts and gutter brackets I would appreciate the input. Presumably any DIY store for sealant/mastic.

Thanks again.

my3cents

I haven't had to work on old cast gutters in years but if they aren't cracked anywhere then they look right and can be fixed.

The bolts are called you guess it "gutter bolts" But annoyingly these https://www.raygrahams.com/products/97998-m6-x-20mm-zinc-plated-roofing-bolts-pack-of-200.aspx are the same thing and called roofing bolts. Any builders merchants should have them.

As for the brackets you need to take a picture and then google to see whats available. You may find that places that do agricultural supplies have galvanized brackets that may fit. There use to be a handy get out of jail free bracket like this available

which when all else fails can be hammered into the mortar below the gutter and adjusted for height.

If any of it doesn't need adjusting then its best left alone the problem you may find is that you end up taking it all down bit by bit as one adjustment leads to another.

As for ladders get a stand off fitting for the top of it as you can't work on gutters your ladder is pressing against.

CJhaughey

Lindab do a very nice steel gutter which is available in Black and are much stronger than plastic plus they don't make noise in sunlight.
Very easy to fit as well.

BoardsMember

Any suggestions where to buy a decent ladder for 3 storey house, ideally somewhere that delivers. Am in the Dublin area.

CJhaughey

You could try these guys they aren't far away.
http://stradballyladders.com/buy-ladders-online/?filter_material-type=72