Guttering from the 1890’s

[Tigger90]

I have guttering at the front of my terraced cottage that I believe is lead and needs replacing. It has this strange lead piece that comes from under the slate and hangs into the gutter. Is this called a gutter apron? I would like to do some reading up on what is required to replace the fascia boards and gutter, what would be the best to search for as gutter apron doesn’t seem to be very popular.

 

[datarebal]

I can see in the pictures a gutter of either cast iron or possibly cast alloy in ogee form.
There is an apron of lead dressed into the gutter.
The apron is showing signs of acid etching along with some old nail holes.
It would have been easy to replace the lead when the roof was reslated.

 

[catlad]

That looks bastardised to me, why would you have that set up! Can you take a picture from a bit further back?
Could it have been a stone gutter originally? If your a terrace what are the other properties like?

 

[datarebal]

looks a similar arrangement as this.. one of the Chalk valley Churches.

 

[catlad]

Looks interesting. The other property looks like the lead may have been re purposed but I might be wrong.

 

[datarebal]

I agree, possibly the roof was reslated not too long ago and the lead was just ignored.

 

[Tigger90]

That looks bastardised to me, why would you have that set up! Can you take a picture from a bit further back?
Could it have been a stone gutter originally? If your a terrace what are the other properties like?

I guess this is how they did things in the 1890’s! No it would have not be a stone gutter it’s a simple cottage. The neighbour who is a mirror image of mine had his gutters changed about 13 years ago. The other side is a different cottage with new gutters.
Here are another couple of photos

 

[Tigger90]

looks a similar arrangement as this.. one of the Chalk valley Churches.

Yes, that looks like mine!

 

[Tigger90]

I agree, possibly the roof was reslated not too long ago and the lead was just ignored.

I had an extension in 2008/9 so the front roof was replaced when it was not originally going to be done or in the price for the works. The talk of gutters was not discussed at the time but the project was going over budget!

 

[catlad]

Lol are those pictures mean't to be further away!

 

[Tigger90]

Lol are those pictures mean't to be further away!

Lol, sorry!
Not sure if these are better, one from the ground and one holding the phone away and hoping for the best..

 

[catlad]

Thanks for the photos.
I,m struggling to fathom what is going on really!
My guess is that the lead you see coming out from your slates was once a lining for a wooden or stone gutter originally.

 

[Tigger90]

Thanks for the photos.
I,m struggling to fathom what is going on really!
My guess is that the lead you see coming out from your slates was once a lining for a wooden or stone gutter originally.

Thanks. The cottage is not fancy enough for stone and granite is the local rock here. Maybe wooden?
Would the lead just be called a gutter apron? When a new fascia and gutter is fitted and then the lead is lapped back into the gutter?
I am looking to do the replacement myself. Just like to have a good read first.. It’s 6m of gutter and one down pipe. All the back of the house is new.

 

[datarebal]

If the lead apron is still fixed up under the slate.
Then it could be carefully lifted up clear of the gutter and fascia. Care to be taken not to stress the bottom slate courses ..They will snap.

Do your fascia works, The tidy up the lead, dressing it against a piece of flat timber.
Fit the gutter.

carefully dress the lead back down..

That is the general idea. I have a feeling the lead will want to drop out.. It appears on the move now.
Its a pity you never had your slates hooked fixed like your neighbours. then it is easy to slip them out refix/renew the apron and replace the slates