Page 556 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

The City & Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1

14 Remove any excess putty from inside and outside the joints, and paint the
joint both internally and externally.
15 Test the gutter by discharging water from a hosepipe down the guttering and
check for leaks.

Replacing cast iron with PVCu
Replacing cast iron gutters with PVCu is possible with special adapters that
convert from cast iron to PVCu (see page 539 of this chapter). When replacing
cast iron gutters, do not be tempted to reuse the rafter brackets as these are
not secure enough for PVCu and the new gutter may flap in the wind. Any
existing rafter brackets should be removed beforehand and a string line put
up between the sockets of the cast iron gutter. This can be done by installing
the line between the bolt holes of the existing cast iron to maintain the
correct fall. The new fascia can then be installed to the line as previously
described.

Cast iron rainwater pipes are easily replaced with PVCu equivalents. The cast
iron rainwater pipe should be replaced to the nearest downstream joint or,
better still, replace the whole length of cast iron with PVCu pipe.

Cleaning and clearing blockages

Probably the most common of all maintenance procedures is the cleaning
and painting (cast iron only) of gutters. Over a period of time, silt can build
up in gutters, especially when the roof tiles are made from concrete. Silting
can lead to moss growth and eventual blockage, causing gutters to overflow,
and this could possibly cause fascia boards and roof joists to rot away and
walls to become damp. Cleaning (and painting both inside and out on cast iron
gutters) should be carried out during the scheduled preventative maintenance
p Figure 8.26 Blocked gutters
programme on a yearly basis.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
Where the gutter is found to contain bird droppings, this should be handled with
extreme care as these carry disease and should not be ingested into the body by
breathing in. A face mask and waterproof gloves should be worn at all times.

4 DECOMMISSION RAINWATER

AND GUTTER SYSTEMS AND

COMPONENTS

Decommissioning rainwater systems can be messy and often dangerous as most
of the work is done at height. The following points must be considered.

l Notify relevant person: inform the customer that you are going to start
removing the old guttering and rainwater pipework.
l Apply warning notices and signs: position warning signs and notices that
there are operatives working overhead.

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