Gutters, or rainwater systems if you prefer, are a common sight today. You will see them on pretty much every building in the UK.
They are found on all properties whether they are residential or commercial.
However, guttering systems haven’t always been so standard, and in the past, water would be left to run unchecked from the roofs of many buildings. So where did it all begin?
The Romans had a deep understanding of how beneficial it could be to effectively manage rainwater and employed not only guttering systems but also cisterns to store water for cooking and washing. They brought with them this knowledge in the Roman conquest of Britain, which began in 43 AD. However, much of their knowledge was lost when their occupation ended around 410 AD and gutters for the most part were neglected and forgotten about.
The Norman invasion of 1066 is perhaps the most significant date for the emergence of gutters in the UK. After winning the Battle of Hastings, Duke William II settled many of his countrymen in England.
This influx of people meant that many towns and cities underwent overhauls, with larger and grander buildings being erected.
This facilitated the re-emergence of gutters and the introduction of gargoyles, which helped to clear the spill water in the building. At this time, lead was the material most commonly used when installing gutters.
First Recorded Use of Downpipes
In 1240 a downpipe was erected at the Tower of London, to protect the buildings walls, which had just been whitewashed. This is significant because it is Britain’s first recorded use of a downpipe.
The Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 played a large role in the number of properties with guttering systems and their appearance.
Suddenly, larger quantities of lead were available, mostly used to create guttering.
Larger houses made use of the more ornamental items that had previously been placed on these monasteries, using hopper heads and intricate designs to add to the aesthetics.
The emergence of coke as a smokeless solid fuel enabled cast iron to be produced in large quantities and at relatively low costs.
By the turn of the 19th Century cast iron gutters had become more popular than lead, which was more costly and did not perform as well.
War Shortages
Shortages during the Second World War lead to the rapid development of plastics. As shortages continued after the war, plastic rainwater systems emerged and were commonplace by the mid-1950s; superseding cast iron gutters as the most popular choice.
Fortunately, property owners today can choose from a range of guttering materials, dependant on budget and which one best suits the property.
If you would like to discuss our cast iron guttering range or any of our products, please give us a call on 0113 279 585 or email info@rainguard.co.uk.
