Cast iron guttering

[hamletcigar]

Hi

Can anyone recommend a good way/product to plug leaks in cast iron
guttering. I have tried lots so am really looking for somethinig different

Thanks

 

[scottishslater]

unbolt it re-putty and re-bolt

 

[HERTS P&D]

Take it down before it falls down and replace with plastic.

Andy

 

[Alastairreid]

What type of cast gutter you got mr Hamlet?

Post a pic if you can.

 

[Mw Roofline]

unbolt it re-putty and re-bolt

Chances are the bolts either been painted over 20 times or it's rustier than mine and the Mrs sex life.

 

[scottishslater]

then u grind it off ive done it 1000 times before

 

[scottishslater]

cast gutters are way better than plastic

 

[smashngrab]

then u grind it off ive done it 1000 times before

Sparks and old birds nests !! Thing is, it could be smouldering away for quite a while before the roof goes up. Hammer and a 2" chissel is what i've always used,not for repairing mind,just when taking them down to replace with plastic.

 

[joe-90]

Plastic looks ****.

 

[smashngrab]

Plastic looks s**t.

If you think it looks bad then use plastic Ogee style guttering, or deep flow Ogee.

 

[joe-90]

It's plastic that's bad. Doesn't matter what it looks like. It's just an awful material compared to cast.

 

[noseall]

In terms of collecting rainwater and putting it a soakaway, i'd say plastic does a fairly good job.

It is also easy to work on, bits can be replaced and it requires little maintenance.

However, it does fade and is nowhere near as robust a iron.

Iron guttering requires a fair bit of maintenance, that in all honesty, rules it out of 98% of all homes. There are not many people who would chose a roof product that needs annual care. They are more likely to opt for say 10 year replacement of plastic.

There is a plastic gutter available that mimics iron. Looks ok - ish.

 

[tim00]

Thing is, the OP never mentioned that it was leaking at the join(s) - given that it's typically leaking at the join, but it could be that it's a split length.

No need for a householder to use power tools up a ladder. The bolt/nut can usually be mini-hack sawed off. Tie the ladder in, and have someone foot the ladder.

The householder has time to break the join, clean it out, and apply a lick of gloss to both "sides" of the join. Allow to go tacky, and then lay a bed of putty in it. Bolt up with new bolts and nuts.

Working on CI guttering can be hazardous for a DIY'er - unexpectedly heavy lengths of guttering, rotten lengths collapsing, and perhaps ladder stand-offs required. Or even two workers up two ladders.

 

[catlad]

I went to look at customers leaky cast iron guttering, and I hardly touched it and about 10metres just dropped. Can be very unpredictable and dangerous old cast.

 

[hamletcigar]

Thanks for comments

I have been quoted for replacement but it was way too much, also the guttering is fairly good (I have painted). Leak is at a joint in the cast iron and also where it joins my neighbours 'plastic' gutter. I have tried a few companies to get fixed but no one seems interested in trying to fix. I am not looking for 10 year gaurantees or anything just stop it dripping on to roughcast and potentially soaking into the wall. Any takers?