Choosing rainwater goods

An efficient guttering system is your home’s first line of defence against the elements. Mike Hardwick advises on how to specify a setup that’s right for your house

Mike Hardwick

Manufactured from marine grade aluminium, Marley Alutec’s Aligator range is fully recyclable and offers a service life of 50+ years

Made from PVCu, Brett Martin’s cast iron-style Cascade system can be installed swiftly as all the components can be clipped together with ease

As I write this piece in darkest, wintry Wiltshire, it is pouring down with rain outside and I find myself rather glad that whatever the weather tries to throw at me, it’s all being dealt with by an effective guttering system and a series of soakaways.

Water and houses have an uneasy relationship – you need a good supply to construct them and live in them, but if a dwelling suffers from damage, it’s highly likely that water is to blame.

Leaking or ineffective gutters cause damp and stains, frozen liquid can make bricks spall and poor drainage on clay soils can cause foundations to heave or slip. This is why, over many years, we have developed numerous ways of getting water away from the house as quickly and effectively as possible. So here, I’m setting out what you need to know about specifying rainwater goods.