subject: Buy cast iron - save the environment [print this page] Buy cast iron - save the environment Buy cast iron - save the environment
A lot of planning goes into building a house. Every little part is thought out in advance. A house is, after all, a labour of love. So, attention has to be paid to gutters too. They are an essential part of a house, meant to drain off excess rainwater which may collect on the roof. Gutters are built around the edge of the tiled roofs and are slanted, so that it's easy to drain off water. So a proper guttering system is very important to save your dream house from getting damaged.
Equally important is to choose the right material. It can be tough to choose the material given that the market is flooded with a huge variety. From steel, copper, plastic, wood to aluminium, the range is vast and the prices competitive. So before buying any one, you need to know what's best for your house.
Cast iron gutters have over the years proved that they are best for a building. They last long, are fine in all weathers, economical, easy to install and even make the house look presentable. Many people go in for plastic guttering thinking that it makes the house look good. But in reality, plastic does the opposite. Besides, it needs regular maintenance and doesn't even last long. The same can be said of other materials. Even aluminium, which last 30 years, is not a good option in the long run. Gutters made from cast iron, on the other hand, last close to 100 years.
They have been in use for centuries now and are once again becoming a favourite with people. Old country houses still have cast iron gutters, which with regular maintenance have lasted this long. It is believed that they were first used in the 18th century. Old, as they say, is gold.
These gutters are eco-friendly and can withstand any extreme weather conditions. When the emphasis is so much on saving the environment, it makes sense to get something for the house which doesn't harm nature and is 100% recyclable.
To maintain the cast iron guttering system, you need to regularly check for leaks. To save them from rusting they need to be painted regularly, ideally with alkyd based paint. Also, make sure to clean and disinfect the cast iron gutters.
