subject: Cast iron gutters for the future [print this page] Cast iron gutters for the future Cast iron gutters for the future
The first and foremost thing needed when building a house is guttering. To drain excess rainwater, it's essential to build the right gutter. Equally important is to choose the right material. The market is flooded with a variety steel, copper, plastic, wood and aluminium but one has to know which is the best for your house.
Cast iron gutters have been used for centuries. In old country houses, especially in the UK, cast iron was commonly used. They not only make the house look good but also last long. It has been seen that gutters made from cast iron last as long as 100 years, of course when maintained properly. It is believed that these gutters came into being in the 18th century when cast iron was available cheap and in plenty. Many aristocratic families would mark the guttering with their coat of arms and the date of construction. These undoubtedly looked grand.
Many people go in for plastic guttering thinking that it makes the house look good. But in reality, plastic spoils the look of the house and requires regular maintenance. It even cracks in extreme weather conditions, burning a big hole in your pocket. Who would want to keep spending on guttering every year? But one doesn't have to worry about any of this with cast iron gutters.
These gutters are eco-friendly and can withstand any weather conditions, whether it's snow storm or torrential rain. 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 recyclable. What's more, they even make the house look good. And they easily adjust to any kind of building, whether it's a country house or a hospital.
To maintain the cast iron guttering system, you need to regularly check for leaks. The gutters should also be painted, preferably with alkyd based paints. This saves them from rusting. All the leaves and other debris should be removed regularly. And make sure the gutters are disinfected. Otherwise chances are you could fall ill frequently.
Installing this guttering system is a do-it-yourself project. It can be done with the help of the manual that comes along with the installing kit but it's always a better idea to involve a professional. A little help will go a long way in ensuring that you have a foolproof cast iron gutters.
