Gutters Linings

Gutters are a common cause of leaking flat roofs. Processing large quantities of rainwater through narrow drainage channels, they are prone to leaking and breakdown.

Since 1976, Strandek® have acquired expertise in leak detection for a variety of gutter types. We specialise in the repair, refurbishment and construction of finlock and valley gutters for a range of building types.

What are valley gutters?

A valley gutter is a v-shaped section where two main pitched roofs meet. These are considered a problem area for a variety of reasons, that centre on membrane breakdown through general wear and tear, blockages, particularly if debris (leaves, etc) have collected in the structure. Examples of repair work, which often requires repairing the surrounding pitched roofing structure can be seen below.

What are finlock concrete gutters?

Finlock gutters are designed to collect rainwater along the length of the roof and transport it away from the roof into a drainage system. Made from concrete, they are placed on top of walls and pitched roofing systems and sealed in place with mortar. However, over time, concrete begins to wear away and break down. Concrete finlock gutter relining with glass fibre or other liquid-applied system is a highly effective way to increase the lifetime and stop leaks, as seen below:

 

Why are gutters prone to leaking?

(1) larger quantities of rainwater: roofs are pitched to direct rainwater towards drainage gutters. These roofs often have surface areas several orders of magnitude larger than that of the gutters, which ultimately process higher flow rates. As such, the guttering systems are exposed to more water at higher flow rates than the roofing systems, which ultimately promotes substrate breakdown and increases leak potential.

(2) increased complexity: gutters are built from multiple junctions and connections, which means there is a higher chance of corners, gaps and openings if these areas are not fully protected – usually the result of poor installation, poor specification and design and little to no maintenance.

(3) blockages and overflow: gutters transport and collect debris (leaves, moss and twigs) through very thin, narrow channels into drainage outlets. Because many customers do not clean their gutters, they increase the risk of overflow into adjacent roofing structures. If the gutter has been incorrectly installed, then the risk of water seepage behind and below the gutter is also possible.

These three reasons alone are enough – without defective or inadequate systems to cause leaks that in many cases seep into adjacent roofing structures, be they flat or pitched roof types.

So how do I protect my gutters?

Any system installed must be absolutely waterproof and retain that for many decades. It should be seamless and impervious to water and debris and permit regular cleaning. Below we discuss some of the most popular methods of gutter lining services available.

What gutter lining systems are available?

Glass Fibre Linings

Glass fibre (also known as fibreglass or GRP) is a proven gutter lining system. The lining system is moulded in situ to the gutter, after which it cures, creating a seamless, fully waterproof barrier. Their strong, durable properties make them suitable for foot traffic and rigorous cleaning. Since 1976, we have specialised in glass fibre applications and our Strandek® GRP systems – favoured by commercial and domestic customers alike – have proven lifetimes exceeding 30 years and guarantees of 10- and 20-years.

Liquid-applied coatings

Liquid-applied systems, like polyurethane and silicone are growing in popularity. These are equally as durable as glass fibre linings and are also seamless, impervious and durable. They can be used to create ‘hybrid’ flat roofing systems where the main body of the flat roof is constructed from single ply and the gutters are lined or coated with polyurethane to compensate for the limitations of single ply.

Single-ply and rubber-based systems

Single ply and other rubber-based gutter lining systems are suitable for gutters. These sheet-based systems are installed directly onto the guttering surface and are quick to install, often requiring minimal downtime. However, they are susceptible to tearing, which means that foot traffic and more rigorous cleaning requirements should be avoided. Furthermore, should tears occur, the identification of the source of the leak is more complex. As such, if the main roof is constructed from single ply, (EPDM, PVC, etc), we usually recommend a GRP or liquid-applied lining that is more durable and better yet, seamless to minimise leaks and water ingress.

Areas where gutter relining work is used

Standard applications amenable to gutter lining and relining include concrete gutters, valley gutters, flintlock gutters and parapet gutters on both pitched and flat roofs. Structures include new buildings, apartments, renovations, gutter repairs & refurbishments, roof repairs, water treatment facilities.

Strandek® Gutter Lining Services

Since 1976, we’ve been installing a range of gutter linings for domestic, commercial and industrial customers. We strive to solve your most complex challenges and we work with world-leading manufacturers to ensure that we have access to the best systems available. Where relevant, our guttering work is accompanied by 10- and 20-year guarantees, and our systems have consistently demonstrated multi-decade performance.

Unsure if your gutter needs a repair or just a clean? Contact us today on 029 2190 0011 or send us a message here to find out more. We’re more than happy to help.