Soffits, guttering, noggins etc.

Sterlingtimes

It is extremely difficult to remove debris from my overfull gutters. I paid two men today to clean out the gutters by removal and replacement. They told me that spares seals were no longer available for my gutters and total gutter replacement would be required sooner rather than later.



I wonder whether a replacement of all of the soffits etc. would be a wiser approach.

I am particularly concerned about the so called "noggins". Are the noggins structural or decorative (see picture)?

phil24_7

Did these guys happen to say they could replace the guttering? Do you know them and are they reputable?

Although that picture is a little blurry it looks a damn site better than my guttering and there is naff all wrong with mine.

Is it leaking anywhere?

If so, is it only when the guttering has filled up with debris? If the answer is yes then pay someone to clean them once or twice a year (depending on how much debris builds up in them)

If the guttering is not leaking then it's doing it's job perfectly well!

Is there any signs of damp on any of the walls internally or externally near the top of the house or in the attic space around the edges? If not then the sofits would appear to be fine. If they look tired (which they don't from the picture) then get them clean every couple of years along with the outside of the guttering.

I know nothing of those little noggins but I would suspect that they are only decorative.

Regards
Phil

Le_Kirk

If you can get close to the connectors between lengths of gutter, you should see a manufacturers number. Put this into Uncle Google and that will tell you if the gutters and connectors are still made. If not, just pop into any large builder's merchants and you should be able to pick up a new, similar sized seal.

redmalc

Exactly the same as our property and we replaced all the soffits,Fascias and guttering last year,we covered the noggins and all is ok

Sterlingtimes

Thank you, phil23, for your kindness in responding.

phil24_7 wrote: »

Did these guys happen to say they could replace the guttering?

They stated quite correctly that the guttering is mounted too near to the tile making debris removal difficult. I have to agree on this point having tried myself. They said that the guttering is no longer available and that they could replace completely.

phil24_7 wrote: »

Do you know them and are they reputable?

The chief player has been visiting for 15 years. A repaint every five years costs £850. The clean out yesterday with the dismounting of the gutters cost £250.

phil24_7 wrote: »

Although that picture is a little blurry it looks a damn site better than my guttering and there is naff all wrong with mine.

I suspect that you are correct.

phil24_7 wrote: »

Is it leaking anywhere? If so, is it only when the guttering has filled up with debris? If the answer is yes then pay someone to clean them once or twice a year (depending on how much debris builds up in them)

They do leak when full of debit. It remains to be seen if they leak when empty.

phil24_7 wrote: »

If the guttering is not leaking then it's doing it's job perfectly well!

I will bear this in mind.

phil24_7 wrote: »

Is there any signs of damp on any of the walls internally or externally near the top of the house or in the attic space around the edges? If not then the sofits would appear to be fine. If they look tired (which they don't from the picture) then get them clean every couple of years along with the outside of the guttering.

The damage is more at floor level where constant dripping has caused brickwork to turn green.

phil24_7 wrote: »

I know nothing of those little noggins but I would suspect that they are only decorative.

Thank you. That reflects my suspicions.

Regards, Sterling

Sterlingtimes

redmalc wrote: »

Exactly the same as our property and we replaced all the soffits,Fascias and guttering last year,we covered the noggins and all is ok

Thank you redmalc. Do you mean that you covered the noggins maintaining the visible shape of the noggins or did you have the noggins boxed in?

Sterlingtimes

Le_Kirk wrote: »

If you can get close to the connectors between lengths of gutter, you should see a manufacturers number. Put this into Uncle Google and that will tell you if the gutters and connectors are still made. If not, just pop into any large builder's merchants and you should be able to pick up a new, similar sized seal.

Than you, Le_Kirk.

I have taken your advice. The manufacturer is Hepworth. IT does seem to be the case that the parts are no longer widely available, but I cannot find the part numbers on Google, e.g. 24 96 1 10 for a gutter section.

redmalc

Hi we boxed the noggins in

leveller2911

Those "noggins" are "rafter feet" which is the end of the common rafters. The part you can see in the picture is purely decorative and not structural.They actually make the roof line look a bit more interesting but you could cut them off and cover them with a new soffit .

I would take the gutter down and as long as you don't break all the plastic gutter brackets (plastic and go brittle after a few years) and then fit a length of 2x1 (hardwood) timber on the fascia to pack off the gutter so you can easily clean it out in the future. As long as you have enough length on the end of run of guttering it will work.Because you would be packing out the gutter from the fascia it means when you go round a corner ,the end of that run will be 1" shorter. If you get my drift.

Then re-fit the guttering (making sure you get the correct fall) and use some gutter joint sealant on the joints.

Or just bite the bullet and buy all new.

phil24_7

If your going to go through all the effort of removing all the guttering, buying 2x1, fitting the 2x1 and then replacing the old guttering, you may as well just fit brand new guttering! Although it could be that they are fitted too high in which case simply lowering them (and sealing the original holes) would be a suitable solution, and much cheaper.

Do you have a picture of the overhand on the tiles?

£850 for painting what every 5 years?
£250 for cleaning the guttering. How long were the two men there and did they use ladders, tower scaffold or cherry picker?

Regards
Phil

Furts

Sterlingtimes wrote: »

Than you, Le_Kirk.

I have taken your advice. The manufacturer is Hepworth. IT does seem to be the case that the parts are no longer widely available, but I cannot find the part numbers on Google, e.g. 24 96 1 10 for a gutter section.

You may be barking up the wrong tree here. Hepworth are a reputable long established UK manufacturer. So parts may be available - ask at your local builders merchant, or phone their technical support line.

Hepworth also own Osma who are also a UK manufacturer, probably of the best quality guttering. Here all seals and parts are available even for guttering installed 30+ years ago. Indeed your Hepworth gutter may be Osma.

Bear in mind endless nonsense is talked about gutter replacement. I have Osma made 30 years ago and it is in perfect order. Seals are so easy to renew- you do not need to remove and renew the brackets or joiners.