The stone gutters on the rear elevation, the Jackson Pit side, have been removed today. These were not adequate to carry the water run off from the roof. Rainwater has been shooting over the present gutter and damaging the rear brick wall.
On the George Street elevation this earlier stone gutter had already been replaced by extending the slate line and adding a cast iron gutter. Our conservation restoration will re-make stone gutters, as per the original construction but made with a different profile. They will be wider and have a deeper trough to carry away the rain water.
On the rear elevation there will be a second downspout and the fall will be split at the centre of the building, so the gutter will only have to carry half the potential volume of rain water falling on the roof. In this way a more original appearance will be returned to the chapel, but it will be better able to carry water away thereby protecting the fabric of the walls.
Two sections of the original stone gutter are to be retained by Age UK as examples of the original construction.
How are the stone gutters now? Have they solved the water problem that was troubling you? Gutters serve as a funneling system to let water flow through and avoid getting to places where they shouldn't. I believe your stone gutters are really sturdy, but constant maintenance is still advised to avoid unforeseen incidents of leakage.
ReplyDeleteJoann Winton @ AJC Roofing
Thank you for your comments. Yes, everything seems to be working as it should now.
DeleteWe have a Maintenance Plan set up regularly check all aspects of the building over the next 10 years. Roof, drains and woodwork are the backbone of the plan.