Cast iron is such a popular gutter material because its longevity means it rarely requires repair. Under certain conditions, it can have a lifespan of over 100 years.
If you live in a home or work in a building with cast iron guttering, you may never have to worry about its repair. But what happens if you do?
Whilst cast iron is one of the most robust gutter materials, it is susceptible to corrosion and weathering. Cracks and splits can appear. Joints loosen and weaken. Brackets break off and need replacing. Debris cause blockages.
Hiring a gutter repair specialist comes at serious cost, depending on the severity of the problem. Replacing a cast iron gutter is even more expensive.
Its durability and strength makes it one of the most expensive gutter materials around. And that is before you even consider the labour costs involved.
Cast iron is difficult to handle due to its weight and challenging to install. Replacing systems will normally require professional expertise and equipment.
The good news is that many cast iron gutter problems can be fixed without the need of specialist help. Here are some of the common issues which impact cast iron guttering and how to fix them.
Clearing cast iron gutter blockages
Gutter blockages are inevitable and there is nothing which can be done to avoid them. Regular cleaning is the easiest way to maintain a cast iron gutter, ensure significant blockages do not build up and help avoid the need for repair.
The best way to clean a gutter is to scoop leaves, moss and other debris out either by hand or using a soft brush. The gutter should then be rinsed down with a hose to clear any remaining silt.
A pressure washer can be used, although make sure it is with the correct setting and attachment to ensure the gutter is not damaged.
To prevent debris entering drains and gutters in the first place, gutter guards can be installed. They create a barrier or cover over the top of a gutter system, allowing rain through but keeping out sizeable debris.
Corrosion prevention and repair of rusting gutters
Rusting gutters are commonplace and whilst corroded metal normally induces mild panic, often there is little to worry about when it comes to cast iron.
Small patches of rust can be rubbed off with an emery cloth. For larger areas, use a wire brush. The process can be sped up by fitting such a brush onto a drill.
To prevent future corrosion, cast iron pipework can be painted. Painting guttering also helps to prevent weathering.
A rust-inhibiting primer offers protection before being overpainted with an exterior paint. Two coats are normally recommended.
Whilst most will opt for traditional black or grey to reflect the colour of cast iron and a classic look, painting gutters allows an individual to stamp their unique style and tastes on a building.
Over time, paint will flake off after exposure to the elements. Again, this is no big deal. Just scrape the loose paint off, re-prime for additional protection and repaint.
Repair cracks and splits in cast iron gutter
Cast iron gutter cracks and holes used to be considered very difficult to repair. But not any more. There are several products available which enable straightforward and quick sealing applications to be made by anyone without the requirement for any specialist training.
For longitudinal cracks and splits, a moisture-curing sealant like CrackSeal Sealant can be extruded directly into the crack. It will harden almost instantly even on wet surfaces, filling the crack with a watertight material capable of withstanding low pressure.
CrackSeal is a particularly fast-working sealant, forming a skin in 10 minutes. Other sealants can take up to 24 hours to skin-over the crack; not much use if it starts raining.
Smaller holes can be filled using an epoxy putty stick. Cut the required amount of putty from the stick, mix by hand, whilst soft push it into the hole.
A fast-curing epoxy putty will set within 5–10 minutes. An epoxy putty with a longer working time can take up to two hours, meaning repairs need not be rushed
Fixing loose cast iron gutter brackets
It is important to fix loose cast iron gutter brackets, especially ahead of winter. Gutter systems are installed to have a slight fall which encourages water to run down until it reaches the point where it is discharged into a drain.
If brackets become loose, this can impact the fall of the gutter and mean water becomes static. In winter, static water freezing and expanding can damage the guttering.
Repairing loose or broken brackets involves unclipping from the wall and fixing new bolts, screws and brackets if necessary.
A spirit level should be used to ensure that the newly fixed or installed brackets are running the guttering at the required fall to take water away.
Leaking joints in cast iron gutter pipes
Leaking joints or seams are a common problem with guttering. They require a similar type of repair to how the gutter is installed and joined in the first place, using specialist gutter sealant or caulk.
Clean the gutter to remove all debris and any material build up before sealing. The repair can be further enhanced by degreasing.
Use either a caulking gun or a thin nozzle on a sealant tube to apply sealer around the leaking joint. When using caulk, a hand tool will smooth off excessd material from around the joint.
Both caulk and gutter sealant will take around 24 hours to dry thoroughly. These repair materials need to be kept as dry as possible, so it is always advisable to check the weather forecast in advance of gutter sealing. It is never ideal to seal your gutters, only for it to then rain two hours later.
Sealants and caulk can be overpainted, enabling the repaired joints to look seamless with the rest of the gutter.
Leave a Reply