Neglecting your property’s rainwater disposal can not only lead to structural deterioration but can also totally disfigure a property’s architectural value through using wrong materials or not preserving the existing rainwater system. Therefore every effort should be made to carry out regular inspections of your rainwater system and replace or restore parts using the same material to retain the buildings character.
Cast iron has been used since the 19th century for gutters, down pipes and rainwater features and is the material frequently preferred by conservation officers and organisations such as SPAB for its strength, durability and aesthetic historic value. Cast iron is also 100% recyclable and has a life expectancy of over 50 years as it is able to withstand the rigours of on site handling, mechanical de-blocking and is fire resistant.
Even though cast iron rainwater systems are low maintenance because of the mentioned attributes of the material, it is still important to check for rust or cracks. It is not always necessary to install a whole new rainwater system as failed sections can be replaced in the same material to retain the building’s character. Traditionally, one would be able to source a replacement piece from a local foundry to match a particular pattern given to a city or country but unfortunately the majority of local foundries no longer exist, making it more difficult to obtain a particular profile. However, there are a number of traditional cast iron gutter and down pipe profiles available which are sympathetic to the architectural needs of a historical building. If the gutter or down pipe is a particularly unusual profile, a replica can be made using traditional casting methods or if the damage is minimal cracks can be repaired.
Hopper heads, or rainwater heads as they are commonly known are often an indication of the building’s age as they display a date, coat of arms, an emblem or initials. They were also commonly used during the Victorian and Edwardian times as an ornate feature to add character and intricate architectural detail to buildings as well as providing an effective way of collecting rainwater. Therefore if a property has a cast iron hopper head it is important that it is preserved as a piece of our heritage. Commonly hopper heads suffer from weather damage and rust, however it is possible for them to be shot blasted right back to the bare metal and then repainted. Shot blasting is a skilled job and should only be carried out by a professional foundry as too strong a pressure can cause fractures and the cast iron will crack. It is advisable to take note of the colour of the old paint before the hopper head is shot blasted so it can be restored back to its original colour.
Where there is only one surviving hopper head it is possible to replicate the original to produce a matching pair. This skilled process is achieved by hand carving the decorative pattern into wood supported by a rigid framework and then pouring resin into the carving. Once the resin is hard it is taken off to produce an exact cast into which the molten iron is then poured to produce an exact replica hopper head. This method is also used when producing bespoke gutters, down pipes and ornate casting like gargoyles or decorative ear bands.
Not only does preserving and maintaining a rainwater system contribute immensely to the external appearance of a property, it is imperative in keeping the building free from damp. If water continually runs down an outside wall it will eventually cause structural damage, making it important to inspect your rainwater goods regularly at least twice a year to remove any plants, leaves and silt from gutters, hopper heads, flat roofs and drainage channels.
Do not forget to also inspect the brackets as these can deteriorate in the same way as your gutter.A common problem when replacing existing brackets is that they were also cast at the same local foundry as the gutter, therefore one needs to consider the options.For standard profiles cast iron brackets are readily available but more unusual profiles may need a bespoke bracket to match the originals.It is sometimes possible to locate a blacksmith who can replicate the design and shape but another possibility is sourcing a manufacturer of mild steel brackets.Mild steel brackets can be made to a high enough standard to support cast iron which is a lot heavier than conventional materials such as PVC and are also bespoke. In extreme cases brackets can also be made from stainless steel but this is a much more expensive option.
There are a number of organisations that offer helpful advice on preserving or replacing original rainwater goods. Contact your Local Authority or a conservation body such as The Victorian Society or SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings).
Ends
For more information on the repair or replacement of cast iron rainwater goods including a range of heritage hopper heads contact:
Tuscan Foundry Products
Telephone: 01403 860040
Fax: 0845 345 0215
Email:
info@tuscanfoundry.co.uk
www.tuscanfoundry.com
