How to Restore Cast Iron Gutters

In this video I show you how I recently stripped down and refurbished my 60 year old cast iron gutters.
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0:00 Start
0:01 Intro
0:23 Background
0:46 Today's Tool Kit
1:23 Remove or Leave in Situ?
2:29 Paint Removal
5:00 Neutrarust 661
6:27 Priming with Bonda Rust Primer
6:53 Dismantling the Gutters
7:56 Gloss Top Coat
8:41 Bostik Bituminous Paint
8:52 Gutter Jointing Kit
9:20 Reattaching the Downpipe
11.29 Gutter Reassembly - Metoset
13:00 Timba Glaze
14:06 Links
14:16 Charlie DIYte Merch Store
14:30 Discord Forum Membership
15:15 Subscribing to my channel
Today's Toolkit *
- Hamilton Prestige Heavy Duty Scraper bit.ly/3msKJsX
- Hilka Wire Wheel Brush geni.us/AXvfJ (Amazon)
- Wire wheel brush set geni.us/cXyJv (Amazon)
- Ryobi RAG18X-0 Grinder
- Ryobi RDD18X-0 Drill Driver
- Zinsser Degreaser and Cleaner geni.us/jBAB (Amazon)
- Sugar Soap Solution geni.us/k7Aa2Ff (Amazon)
- Multi-Solve spray from CT1 geni.us/caNEwh3 (Amazon)
- Johnstone's Cleaner and Degreaser bit.ly/3GRokOr
- Bonda Rust Primer bit.ly/3BtCK32 or geni.us/Vuwgw (Amazon)
- 6mm Chisel geni.us/zZ25BJY (Amazon)
- Hargreaves Foundry Jointing Kit bit.ly/3jQ96iI
- TimbaGlaze glazing sealant geni.us/wIcfZYy (Amazon)
- Metolux Metoset P-SF 10:1 bit.ly/3jNCQ09 or bit.ly/3z2cmfA
- Johnstone's Stormshield Flexible Gloss Paint geni.us/0WwyFh6 (Amazon)
- Fischer 10x 160mm frame fixings bit.ly/3msGGgp
- Also mentioned Tikkurila Miranol bit.ly/3jSui7N
- Neutrarust 661 250ml geni.us/XIK3L (Amazon)
- Neutrarust 661 Rust Converter 1 litre geni.us/W9iMlB (Amazon)
- Neutrarust 661 Rust Converter 5 litres geni.us/e7NG (Amazon)
- Neutrarust Wax geni.us/2bued (Amazon)
* The Amazon and Neutrarust links above are affiliate links. It doesn't cost you anything to click on them but I do earn a small commission if you do.
And here's the legal bit I have to state: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Charlie DIYte
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#gutter #restore #castiron

[@patrickmurray2220]

Powerful job. Your attention to detail means the end result is top class.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Patrick. I can't say I love painting but the end result makes it very satisfying - particularly when it comes to bolting everything back together. 👍

[@owain6564]

This is the best cast iron drainpipe refurb video I have come across. Thank you!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Owain 👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

🛠Charlie DIYte Amazon Tool Store amzn.to/3fcLnY4 - all my tried, tested and much loved DIY tools. ☕Charlie DIYte Discord Membership bit.ly/3xuQ3zb - access our incredible DIY forum and help support my Channel. 👚Charlie DIYte Merch Store charlie-diyte.myspreadshop.co.uk/ - check out my professionally designed merch.

[@normanboyes4983]

Excellent coverage of this subject Charlie and from a practical perspective you have done a very good job. Btw a good first exterior clean if you have taken a down pipe is putting a couple of turns of chain around the pipe and then doing a bit of push me pull you along the length, gets rid of all the loose stuff.😀👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

Good thinking Norman, and great to hear from you 👍

[@glumbags]

Hi Charlie. I still remember meeting you at Moseley Jazz years ago! I have just this month moved into an old property that has very leaky cast iron guttering. I've done my own guttering before but it was on a bungalow. The guttering on this property is quite high off the ground. Any safety advice welcome. Cheers Gavin

[@nw8000]

OMG! you must be psychic! I need to do this and other roof jobs before winter THANK YOU!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Good luck. The weather is turning against us 😬

[@ABC-oo4vm]

For future reference, electrolysis is much safer for vintage metals. Less labor intensive too. The satisfaction of a job well done is priceless. You did a wonderful job.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks 👍

[@JanetHurst-zu9bg]

Would this be any use for a cast iron fire place Charlie?

[@CharlieDIYte]

I don't see why not, but if it's in use and subject to heat it's probably not appropriate.

[@Garage_GymRat]

Thank you for the shout out mate very much appreciated and as usual great video and information 👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're welcome 👍

[@photoholohan]

Wrong video I know, but your "how to change a toilet fill valve and flush valve" video was a great help, so thank you 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💪🏻

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Ian. Have you sorted yours out? So satisfying 👍🏻

[@radusguru2196]

Great video. Thank you. I’m just about to do the cast gutters on our 100+ year old house. Unfortunately some of them are paper thin in places and crumbled in my hands so I will have to replace a lot. Going to get Google searching and see what the damage is

[@garvielloken3929]

Such an excellent and informative vid. Makes me wish i had some cast iron pipes to refurb my self 😂 The timba glaze tip is priceless

[@CharlieDIYte]

Hi Garviel, good to hear from you. Yes it's good stuff that TimbaGlaze👍

[@fionaspencerthomas2523]

Do you have a clever idea for lining a possibly cracked downpipe in situ, inserted inside a wall?

[@anonimushbosh]

Cast iron refund?! Your perceived expertise at a wide range of jobs might be enhanced by taking account of KZbin's habit of hiding the bottom right portion of literally every single thumbnail.

[@CharlieDIYte]

That's a very good point. Thanks for reminding me about this. I think I need a thumb nail redesign.

[@krystalgazer5196]

What's wrong with wooden plugs , my house was built in the 30s and there still like brand-new, what's the cost of wood plugs compared to the way you did it, and how do you know how long your way will last ?, New way is not always the best way, we can learn a lot from the old builders. Good vid lad.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks. Nothing at all wrong with wooden plugs, and I thought long and hard about it. Just thought this would be a neater solution, particularly given the wood can rot with time.

[@BigDan1190]

Simply listing the products required already convinced me ripping off and replacing with PVC is better.

[@brianthesnail3815]

Not if its a listed building but most local authority Heritage Officers will allow you to use cast aluminium or even rolled aluminium as long as they are a 'heritage' pattern.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Brian. Good info. 👍

[@mattbravery5518]

Needle gun is the BEST and easiest way to get the paint off. Combine with electrolysis and it takes all of the paint off

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Matt. Am I right in thinking you need a compressor for a needle gun?

[@garywilliams2226]

Great video Charlie, question for you, I need a 120mm cast iron gutterend for a cast iron guttering. Most places online have 115mm and 125mm.gutterends. Where would you recommend I could purchase this from? I can't find this locally anywhere at Screwfix or Toolstation etc

[@CharlieDIYte]

Hmm. That is tricky. Only thing I can suggest is use a 115mm and build it up with gutter seal or call Hargreaves Foundry and see if they'll make one for you.

[@arj2008arj]

Awesome video Charlie. This will be me next year on our gutters. What are your thoughts on linseed paint? Would that not work really well too

[@CharlieDIYte]

On wood? I've never used it but know a few people who have. It's a nightmare to apply because it's so runny but I guess it would work well. Funnily enough I've got a real issue with the new soft wood windows on this South face of the house. Six months after install and they're already peeling. I've always thought it would be better to oil them and so perhaps linseed oil paint is the answer.

[@xw6968]

Do these pipes not rust inside?.

[@vidleon]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@frederickwood9116]

Love the style and approach you continue to make material with. Thanks. You mention chemical anchors almost in passing and I realised you would be the right guy so review some aspect of this space. I took a look over your videos and did not see one yet. My particular problem involves cavity blocks in a gate post. I have electric gates that seem to have worked their bracket bolts loose. However, as many of the fixings are finding cavities I feel I need to tread carefully when fixing this. Chemical anchors come up as a solution but which product ? And how do I get it right first time as there is likely no attractive second try with this technology. ? Thanks in advance. Keep doing what your do. Fred.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Hi Fred. To be honest I don't have any experience with chemical anchors but you can't go wrong with a Fischer chemical anchor product - something like this bit.ly/3jUTXwE or something like this bit.ly/3GH3xwO that comes with the bolts. Have you considered expansion/wall bolts like this bit.ly/3BEQA2N . I guess it all depends on the thickness of the block before the cavity?

[@fgcvhhbvjhbj]

Great video Charlie, thanks for this. Currently contemplating doing this myself or else replacing them. I also have to dig out a soakaway around the house too, don't suppose you have a video on this or could recommend one? Thanks!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Luke. I'm afraid I didn't video it, but I just dug a channel, and laid a perforated land drainage pipe like this store.jdpipes.co.uk/100mm-perforated-land-drainage-coil-25m/ and infilled with 20mm gravel. Probably best to Google it though as I'm sure loads of people have done this.

[@pumpkinhead456]

Great vid, thanks! Was it difficult to get in to the back of the pipes that remained on the wall? For the seals, you can still use rope and a bitumen sealant (used to be lead); the rope makes the whole thing a bit more solid. Hargreaves sell the rope and sealant, I made a tool from 22mm copper pipe to fit it :)

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks buddy. No it wasn't because thankfully they've been spaced away from the wall with those lead pipes making it reasonably easy to get the scraper behind and to paint. I'm kicking myself for not asking Hargreaves what they had for the sealing as I called them up during the research for this vid (to ask whether they'd had any issues with those rubber gaskets and bituminous paint). Great info. Thanks for sharing.

[@antoinec1066]

Great video but if I am a bit cheeky I would say that your next video could be on how to clean your patio 😜

[@CharlieDIYte]

True, but it's coming out at some point, so I'm not too bothered about it but I agree, it's a mess 😉

[@valborchardt3596]

Oh thank you Charlie for this info…..our gutters seriously need sorting so this has been a big help….have a good weekend….

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Val, and great to hear from you. Hope all's well in SA.

[@wainwrightcostonemasons3959]

Thanks for the video!

[@darland3821]

Hi Charlie Off topic I know but any experience of using MDF sealer? I'm about to embark on a project to build built-in alcove cupboards and wondered whether to use.

[@CharlieDIYte]

I'm afraid I haven't, although I've used a few MDF primers in my time and didn't really find them any different to the standard primers. These days I pretty much use Zinsser BIN for everything - which being shellac I guess works like a sealer.

[@darland3821]

@@CharlieDIYte thank you. Gutters look great by the way.

[@clivewilkinson5394]

Rust removal ftom metal objects like those has been made much easier i think with the reciprocating saw wire brush. Does as hood as the grinder. Great for long lenths and big areas.

[@CharlieDIYte]

I wasn't aware there was such a thing. I'll check it out Clive. Thanks!

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

Nice one Charlie 👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks 👍

[@colinthemccaterpillar8055]

This is a great video for DIY on your gutters. I was motivated by it to take all my 25 m aprox cast iron gutters down from my 150 year old house and renovate these following your advice. This saved me masses of money against getting this done by a roofer. Neutrarust 661 and the Hydrostrip rubber connecting strips are a great find. My tips are; ditch the battery powered angle grinder, you will rip through batteries in no time. I bought a corded Makita GA4530R off Amazon along with wire brushes which has performed really well. You don’t need big quantities for this job, a litre of Neutrarust ,a litre of metal paint and about the same of Bituminous paint are adequate. My local Jewsons helped me with some pieces of downpipes that I had to replace. New stuff is v expensive; an offset and downpipe coming in at £200 plus, showing the saving you can make renovating!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Great work. Very satisfying isn't it. 👍

[@colinthemccaterpillar8055]

@@CharlieDIYte yes indeed, in your video you mention making soak aways for your down pipes. Do you have a video of how you did that or can you describe this, as this is my next job as there are no soak aways on my house. Thank you.

[@Alex-hp2hy]

Try finding a plumber that can oakum pack and lead pour those joints these days! Honest respect to those before me!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Just about to refurbish a load more and I'll be using glazing caulk in a tube this time as those kits don't work very well and there's always a danger you over tighten them, cracking the gutter.

[@tommasovillella3210]

that's crazy. I don't think any contractor would come out for such a job. impressive.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks. Yes, that's why we need to do these things ourselves.

[@DavidGoddardokoonp]

It would just cost too much with it being labour intensive.

[@fgcvhhbvjhbj]

Don't suppose you have any experience making a front door or altering at least? I know you've done the windows before. Or would anyone in your discord possibly have information on this? How do I sign up for the membership? Thanks!

[@bussyfingersadi1408]

A very helpful guide, thank you. I followed this step by step restoring my gutters. I did however come to stop abruptly today. I have used the same Johnstone Stormshield flexible paint as in the video and as recommended in the Johnstone's shop. However it's been 2 weeks since painting them and the paint still isn't fully cured and it scratches off very easily by sitting down. It even leaves smears on my hand when handling it. I went back to the shop this morning and was different staff memeber and they advised this paint is mote suitable for wood and that's why it doesn't fully cure. They recommended to take it off and replace it with something more suitable. Did anyone else come across this? I like your videos, they helped me a lot tackling projects that I wasn't very confident of taking on

[@CharlieDIYte]

Sorry to hear that. I wonder why the paint hasn't gone off. I've never had that problem. Silly question but they didn't accidentally give you Stormshield masonry paint did they?

[@bussyfingersadi1408]

@@CharlieDIYte Hi Charlie, thanks for your reply. It's wood paint. They said stormshield is only for wood. And because the gutters are metal none of the paint gets absorbed. I did a bit of research last night and I came across linseed oil paint by Brouns & Co. I'm planning giving them a call tomorrowbto ask them a bit more about it and to see if it's a suitable alternative. Have you done any work with it? Thanks again, I appreciate your work 😊

[@marcdewilde518]

Excellent video Charlie! I almost wished I had cast iron gutter pipes. ATB!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Marc, really appreciate that. 👍

[@rayphillips6060]

@@CharlieDIYte busy house, Charlie, seen a few people pass the window behind you at certain points in the video

[@geoffgodsell233]

Very useful video. Thank you Charlie.

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're welcome, Geoff. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@aden1337]

Professor of DIY.🎓

[@jimclarke1380]

I've always wondered about restoring cast iron waste pipes. Yes you can paint the outside but what about the inside?

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Love the authentic gutters. Job well done !

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks - and good to hear from you 👍

[@alexmaddox2255]

Thanks for this video. We are buying a property at the moment which has cast iron guttering and it does need refurbishing. I would really like to keep them as it adds to the property's character, and i reckoned I could do it myself given good weather. With this video I'm sure I'll be fine. 👌

[@ALG1K]

Put the roller on a pole and hold between two blocks then spin wash it from a distance

[@CharlieDIYte]

Good thinking 👌

[@theneone111]

Nice video thanks for sharing.

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@UberAlphaSirus]

Very nice. Good for another 60 years.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks. Let's hope so 🤞

[@dannywilkins887]

So much better than plastic!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Definitely Danny. And they don't sag like plastic do.

[@VirdiTube]

Fantastic. Really helpful, thank you

[@chardonian1]

Brilliant as always. Thanks Charlie

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks 🙏👍

[@ponderer23]

great video superb job!!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Jay 👊

[@luisminumerouno]

I wish I had kept the Old Cast Iron Guttering on My House is Terraced and Both sides had Their Gutters replaced with plastic so I thought that I would have to but ever since I have had water pouring from the Gutters in a down fall of Rain ,I have several People Who have tried to repair the Gutters but wasted Money with hindsight I would have left the original Gutters and My Neighbours would have been responsible fo9r the leaking Joints .

[@CharlieDIYte]

Sorry to hear that Vivien. Sounds like the new gutters weren't installed correctly or with inadequate numbers of brackets 🤔

[@sr8278]

Hi Charlie, at 0:24 you have a cast iron rain hopper, can I ask is your gutter above the hopper ? I have a rain hopper on my guttering of my cottage and the L/H side of the hopper has been cut down so the guttering sits just inside the hopper. it desperately needs replacing as the ears have rusted away and I'm considering cast aluminum replacements. cheers Simon.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Hi there. Not quite sure what you're asking but the gutters above do run into the hopper.

[@samford4547]

Hi Charlie, a silly question, for which I apologise! What paint mixers do you use when you use your drill to mix the gloss paint? Thanks in advance.

[@CharlieDIYte]

You want to get yourself one of these Sam amzn.to/3OdnKgO absolutely brilliant bit of kit. 👍

[@PazzV27]

Hi Charlie - very off topic but some advice needed please, I'm fitting some new architrave to a door frame that isn't straight across the top, it drops down from left to right. (it's a 200 year old cottage so nothing is straight) I'm fitting a tall piece to the left hand side and and piece across the top (none to the right). To the left of the architrave I'm fitting some wooden panelling to the wall. with a decorative piece of wood across the top running from the top of the architrave to the returning wall on the left hand side. Am I better to have the architrave above the door fitting level and just bodging the underneath, so that the decorative piece of wood above the panelling doesn't look odd? First time doing architrave so just wanted some advice before I commit to it!

[@CharlieDIYte]

If I'm understanding this, I would have the decorative paneling above the door running straight as it will look odd if it doesn't. The architrave needs to be parallel with the door lining so this will have to be wonky. Maybe send me a photo so I can see what you're talking about (email address in the Description below the vid).

[@JonGiles]

This is a job for next year on our 1930s semi. We have a section of downpipe with a chunk missing from the joint. I've seen you old video on how to glue these bits but you had the little chunk I think. Any tips on what to do if that bit is missing? Is there a way to patch it somehow?

[@UberAlphaSirus]

They do plastic imitation parts for cast iron. Search for cast iron downpipe coupler. You cut the old socket off and slip the new one in place, once painted you will never know. Or you will have to keep your eyes peeled on ebay for a real one.

[@groovedwareman]

Another good video thanks. My only comment is that the rise and fall adjustment brackets are now impossible to adjust as you have slapped a thick layer of paint all over them! Not that they were adjustable before with the rust but originally they were there to allow for adjustment. I wonder if there was any other way of treating them to preserve action of the threads and nuts?

[@CharlieDIYte]

Fair point but in my case there's no need to adjust them as the fall was correctly set when they were installed. 👍

[@ianscott4709]

Trivial question, and sorry if you have answered it elsewhere, but where did you get that cool little drill paint stirrer?

[@CharlieDIYte]

Should be in the Description but it's a cyklone amzn.to/3LO14BW (affiliate link)

[@darcymr353]

Great video, thank you. May I ask why the downpipes aren't treated on the inside the same as on the outside? Are you relying on the coat of rust to protect it?

[@CharlieDIYte]

Simple reason is I can't get to the inside 😉 That said corrosion seems to be much worse on the outside so I'm keeping my fingers crossed the insides will be ok.

[@RichardHarvey-j2g]

Surprisingly simple😮

[@CharlieDIYte]

It's a bit of a labour of love but worth doing in the end

[@awantamta]

This is a great job

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Tahir, and good to hear from you 👊

[@1992jamo]

Well mate. Not sure how I can complain considering how many tasks you've helped me with. But the downfall of this channel will be if it becomes QVC, selling products with affiliate links, and paid access to a community which obviously want to help each other without paying you a load of cash. Don't get me wrong, you have seriously helped me with a lot of tasks, but paid access to forum is only going to alienate community, and while I'm sure you truly believe in the products in your videos, it's worrying if it becomes a focus of the videos. I'd give you a fiver through patron as a thanks, but preventing access to a discord community by paywall? I can't imagine the community in that discord are going to be good company. I genuinely hope you make the discord free, and accept support elsewhere. The discord community will grow massively without a paywall. Or perhaps a subreddit? Summary: I owe you beer money, but I won't give it to get access to the community that watch your videos; and I don't want your channel to gradually move into product placement.

[@CharlieDIYte]

The thing is, my Buy me a Coffee channel is like Patreon, so you can buy me a coffee (the fiver you refer to there) like you would with Patreon. I don't see where your issue lies though. I still reply to all comments on my KZbin channel - as you can see right now. My videos are exactly the same as they've always been. I don't get paid for mentioning products and continue to only recommend things I like using. I don't see how this alienates my audience. I'm doing this full time now so have to make it sustainable so I think it's reasonable to charge £5 for this forum. The Discord forum aren't just a community that watch my videos. They're a community who want to give me something back for all the free advice I've given them over the years and who are collectively receiving and adding value through their contributions. Do you do your job just got the love of it (or even for)? No. The reality is we need to earn money to survive and I've found an additional source of income that is beneficial to all. They don't have to join up and can leave at any time if they feel their £5 per month isn't worth it.

[@1992jamo]

@@CharlieDIYte I can see I was worrying over nothing, so apologies mate. I've popped you some monthly thank you money in your "buy me a coffee".

[@allanmacphee3449]

Hi Charlie, what a great video, really useful information. Could I ask, what colour of Johnstones gloss did you use? About to do this very same job and would like to have the gutters in that colour. Thanks, Allan

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks. Yes the Neutrarust with Bonda Rust primer then gloss seems to work really well. It was Farrow and Ball Hartwick White, mixed at Johnstone's.

[@allanmacphee3449]

Thank you for getting back to me, much appreciated.

[@beatsandwarts]

Awesome video!!!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks 🙏

[@Vyker]

That explains why I was booted out of the discord on my first day in.... Didn't realise it was every month. Again another cracking video Charlie. Keep up the great work.

[@CharlieDIYte]

What happened?

[@Vyker]

@@CharlieDIYte not sure. I was in. Said hello. Then I was out. I assumed it was due to some logic that said I only bought one coffee and not recurring.

[@paul_my_plumbs_uk]

👍👍 Chas 💯💯💯

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Paul 👊

[@noname-hs8br]

Thanks for some top tips mate 👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're welcome mate. Thanks for the comment 👊

[@fletton_man]

Fantastic job

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks. Just about to do a load more 🤦😉

[@ridgmont61]

Do the downpipes need sealing? Having them unsealed allows water out if blocked below and informs you of a blockage and can then eadily dismantle. The rubber seals on the guttering look excellent.

[@CharlieDIYte]

It's a fair question, Mat. For that offset downpipe it definitely needed glueing in somehow. I think generally it stops stuff getting in, and I suppose adds to the strength and integrity of the system as a whole, and after all, that Timbaglaze glazing putty replacment could be removed relatively easily, I would have thought. But no, probably not essential!