CONCRETE OR FINLOCK GUTTERING
There are several different types of Finlock guttering. (Concrete Guttering)
A company called Royston made several designs:
Pattern 828462
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Over the years problems develop such as sagging above windows. When replacing windows with a different design sometimes the concrete guttering above tends to sag.
With the movement in a house over the years sometimes the guttering can move and allow damp to penetrate through the joints or even hold excessive water in the guttering.
With the guttering being made out of concrete blocks, damp is transmitted from the outside to the inside causing damp patches on the walls. (Requiring decorating only to have the same problem next winter)
Pattern 647813
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 There are companies on the market that have lined concrete guttering and can line the insides of the guttering which has proved successful for a period of time but cannot be considered as a permanent solution.
Different types of linings have been used in the past from tar, aluminium. Lead and plastic.
This design has a life span of approximately five to twenty years which I've had customers say 'it would see them out' but in real terms by installing one or any of these products you still have underlining problems. |
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Damp and cold is still transmitted through the guttering into the inside which makes the rooms cold, also the concrete will inevitably sag over windows without a lintel.
 When the guttering starts to sag it will cause problems even when the guttering has been lined. Such as holding water and water lying in the gutter. Sagging over windows and doors, especially over large openings such as patio doors or French doors. This can cause opening problems which then causes a security problem. Only by doing the job properly and removing the majority of the concrete can the problems be solved.
Having replaced hundreds of concrete guttering properties we know how to overcome the problems without causing further problems.
By surveying the property properly and making sure you have the right equipment and materials then there shouldn't be any problems. |
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First we require the equipment to work at the correct height and the only safe way is by scaffolding. Even with a bungalow you still need to work on a safe and secure platform.
Here you can see our installers finishing off cleaning the fascia boards on a bungalow working on a safe platform.
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 Once the platform has been erected now the hard work begins.
This photo shows the outside of the concrete guttering which needs to be removed safely. As you can see the under side of the Finlock Gutter is leaking and the water is leaving damp paches inside and outside the propperty.
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 By removing the tiles and stacking them out of the way we can see what we are doing and how far to remove the concrete back.
The concrete Finlock is removed with a heavy duty cutting saw right back over the brickwork and the head of the window.
You can see the timber wall plate and roof timbers in this photo.
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 In some cases we have needed to install a lintel to the inside or angle iron to support the existing concrete.
This ensures the inside stays intact whilst removing the concrete on the outside.
This photo shows plaster damage to the inside of the home which we will make good after the installation.
Quite often cracks appear where the window sits, this can be because the windows have been changed and the Finlock has not been supported? Or the wrong type of window has been installed without reinforceing in the window.
Although in truth the Finlock should remain true depending on the length of the opening. |
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 What ever we need to do we do without costing the customer any extra and also worrying them unnecessarily.
This photo shows the original timber and a new piece of treated timber secured to the side of the joist.
By extending the timbers we are now forming a traditional roof end.
Sometimes the timbers we install run along side the exiting roof timbers and sometimes we have to notch them over the wall plate. (This is called a Birds Mouth) |
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 The timber also rests on the wall plate which can also be seen above in this photograph.
The timbers are string lined through to make sure everything is level and precise.
To the sides of each and every timber joist we install plastic braces.
Plastic braces are most important to secure the vented soffit boards to and also the fascia boards. |
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 Now the main structure has been secured we can install new Swish vented soffit boards.
By securing a u shaped channel up to the face of the brickwork and window and secured to the braces, allows the vented soffit board to slide into the channel and then screwed into the brace at the front. |
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 This provides a nice looking finish without using silicone.
Vented soffit boards are extremely important to allow the roof to breath and moisture to escape which may get trapped otherwise. |
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 Depending on the existing tiles new16mm or 20mm fascia boards are now installed and secured with 2N0 65mm stainless steel nail with a white plastic top.
The fascia boards are secured twice into every brace to prevent the facia board from twisting and moving.
Once all the boards have been secured new Ogee guttering will be installed. We use Ogee guttering because it is so much deeper than other domestic gutters.
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 The brackets are secured over the top so the guttering looks beautiful without any unwanted brackets showing.
New PVC drip trays are installed and secured to the top of the fascia board which projects into the gutter with bird combs preventing unwanted guests from making their home.
On top of the drip tray is a one metre wide layer of breathable felt which is tucked up under the original roofing felt to prevent water running under the felt and into your loft space.
Tile laths are secured and tiles laid back down.
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 This property in Bristol was up for sale for ages and because of the problems with damp the owner just couldn?t sell it and within two weeks of having the concrete guttering removed and new fascia boards it sold for more than the original price.
This property at Ullswater Road, Coventry had problems with damp on the inside walls.
The neighbour didn?t want their property doing which wasn?t a problem as we can connect into the down pipe without affecting them. |
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 These two customers had lots of problems in Hornighold Close, Coventry. The guttering running the wrong way so it held the water which caused the customer a lot of damp problems down his walls.
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 This pair of bungalows in Hasselbech Coventry had a major problem when they had new windows. Over the years the concrete had dropped and forced the window to sag so much so it forced the PVC frame right down on the sealed unit making it explode.
By removing the concrete and installing an angle iron over the window gave support to the window and the roof above. The inside had dropped over the few years they had been installed so we needed to plaster the internal wall as well.
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 As a company used to removing and replacing concrete guttering we can get over any problem we come across so we can assure our customers of a permanent installation.
This home in George Marston Road, Coventry had a few problems with damp. The customer had recently invested in a new bathroom so decided only to have the front done.
Several weeks later Mrs H phoned me to say how impressed they were and that they wanted me to install the rear guttering as well.
Whilst talking to them Mr. & Mrs H told me what a difference having the guttering installed the way we do it has made and went on to say how much warmer their front two bedrooms are since we carried out the work.
The reason for this is because by removing the concrete totally and extending the joists it works similar to a double glazed unit forming a barrier from the outside to the inside and not pulling the cold through the plastic then through the concrete lintel.
Since having their work installed in 2007 Mr & Mrs H has recommended my company to many friends.
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Our customers throughout the country have been over the moon with the quality of work we have undertaken.
We pride ourselves on the work we do and the recommendations we get from our existing customers.
Most towns and city's have a few concrete guttering properties and being a small local company willing to travel we can provide you with our expertise.
There are a few companies around the UK that remove Finlock guttering but I feel we are more experienced have removed them now for the last ten years plus. |
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These properties in Cottesbrook Close, Coventry were installed as a pair in 2007.
Both of the properties had internal plaster problems where the concrete blocks had moved over the years. By installing new angles irons which secured the internal lintels and then plastering the insides the customer have had no further problems since nor will they.
If you like what you see and the confidence we have to undertake such a troublesome installation contact me on 02476 349227
 
enquiries@fascias4you.co.uk
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