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In the UK, rainwater systems have been used to drain roofs at least since 1066 when a rainwater pipe was erected at the Tower of London to protect its newly whitewashed walls. It is also known that the ready availability of recycled lead following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 promoted a sudden increase in their use, as illustrated by the number of hopper heads displaying heraldic designs and dates from that period. Nevertheless the use of gutters and down-pipes remained rare until the 18th century, and most houses relied on broad-spreading roofs to shed their water clear of the walls.
Cast iron rainwater goods were introduced in the late 18th century as a mass-produced alternative to lead. As well as being easier to produce, the material enabled eaves gutters to be installed much more simply, since lead could only be used in this location as a lining for timber gutters. By the mid 19th century cast iron predominated, although lead continued to be used occasionally for down-pipes and ornate hoppers in the various revivals of gothic and medieval styles of architecture, particularly on churches. As a result, most old buildings now have cast iron rainwater systems which should be preserved and regularly maintained. Not only are they part of a building's heritage and character, but they also keep water out of its fabric, and they are therefore vital to its structural integrity.
Cast iron pipes, gutters and their fittings have a highly distinctive appearance due to the texture of the material, its thickness, and the quality of the cast components. Preserving and maintaining an original rainwater system contributes immensely to the external character of a property. Decorative features like hopper heads, or rainwater heads as they are also known, can add further interest and a unique silhouette to a building, especially when accompanied by other ornate castings like decorative ear bands. Cast iron hopper heads also often provide an indication of the building's age and are especially important to the architectural value of a property. During the Victorian and Edwardian times they were commonly used to put a stamp on a property by displaying either a date, coat of arms, an emblem or initials in imitation of the lead hopper heads that proceeded them, as well as providing an effective way of collecting rainwater.
Neglecting a property's rainwater disposal can cause serious structural deterioration, especially with old buildings. Regular inspection could prevent the need to spend hundreds of pounds at a later date on dealing with a serious outbreak of dry rot in timber roof trusses or a flooded basement or ground floor because of a blocked drain. Forgetting to remove the debris from hopper heads, flat roofs and drainage channels and also not removing the vegetation from behind down-pipes or ignoring leaky gutters have become major causes of concern for conservation organisations. The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) recently launched a National Gutters Day, to encourage property owners to inspect their gutters and keep buildings free from damp and structural damage.
Without proper maintenance, damp and decay caused by blocked, sagging and damaged gutters can lead to expensive repair bills and the loss of historic fabric. Cast iron is a strong material which, if correctly designed and maintained, can be one of the most durable elements of the building fabric. However, if the paint layer which protects it is neglected, the underlying metal will rust and eventually fail, particularly if poorly detailed. Moulded gutters supported by a stringcourse (usually in imitation of a cornice) are particularly vulnerable as the stringcourse catches the moisture and two faces of the gutter are in permanent contact with damp brickwork.
Traditionally, cast iron was protected by applying two top coats of lead-based oil paints over a coat of primer, but these traditional paint systems dry slowly and are highly toxic. Today, there is a wide choice of paint systems, each offering different advantages. Modern alkydbased oil paints are the most common, applied in two coats over a zinc-rich primer. (Three top coats may be necessary in more aggressive environments such as coastal areas.) When repainting, make sure that all areas of paint that are in poor condition are properly covered; patches of missing paint should be primed and re-primed before painting. Particular care should be taken when dismantling sections of guttering because cast iron is a brittle material, and joints must not be forced.
Where rainwater goods have been badly neglected it may be necessary to remove all the paintwork and rust by carefully shot blasting the surface to strip it back to the bare metal. Only then can the condition of the metalwork be examined to determine the level of decay. Shot blasting is a highly skilled job as too much pressure can cause fractures and the cast iron will crack. In the case of the most important historic buildings it may be a requirement of listed building consent to have paint analysis undertaken first, so that this important aspect of the building's history is not lost. In any event it is always advisable to at least record the colour of the old paint so it can be restored back to its original colour.
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Iron Guttering | Cast Iron | Iron Guttering - A quick look at the importance of preserving cast iron guttering and rainwater systems.
Iron Guttering | Cast Iron | Iron Guttering - A quick look at the importance of preserving cast iron guttering and rainwater systems.
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