rainwater & greywater products 51
A classic blend of old and new
As real cast iron can be expensive and time consuming to work with, Hayley Lowry of Brett Martin Plumbing and Drainage explains how an efficient and economical alternative is fast becoming a key requirement for housebuilders.
W
hen it comes to the specification of building products, striking the right balance between cost
effectiveness and aesthetic appeal has never been easy. In plumbing and drainage systems, cast-iron has been an integral element of the architectural landscape for over 150 years, with a highly distinctive appearance due to the texture of the material, its thickness, and the quality of each component. By meeting the growing industry need for cost
effective, high quality products that deliver proven performance in the long term, there is now a cast iron case for high performance rainwater systems made from plastic. Offering affordability, ease of installation, durability and low maintenance, these rainwater systems meet customer demands for heritage aesthetics but without the associated hassle or cost.
Classic looks
Manufactured with modern plastic materials, the new Cascade rainwater systems offer a traditional appearance without a cast-iron price tag. At a fraction of the price to buy, install and maintain, they can replace an aluminium or cast iron rainwater specification to deliver projects under budget and ahead of schedule – exceeding both the builder’s and the client’s expectations. Heritage style gutter and pipework systems
are incredibly appealing, but the cost of traditional materials can impact heavily on a project’s budget. With plastic rainwater systems it is possible to create a heritage aesthetic without compromising architectural integrity
respond online at
www.hbdonline.co.uk
and enjoy the savings in materials, labour and time saved on site which can actually help keep a project on budget. Cast iron drainage systems can be heavy and
difficult to install. With significant additional weight, contractors must also be extra vigilant regarding health and safety and will require more time to lift and fix the system – leading to increased costs and potential delays in the installation process. Almost every job will require both gutter and pipe lengths to be cut onsite using specialist tools and, to ensure long- lasting durability, they need to be fully finished on site, using a primer, undercoat and topcoat to ward off corrosion. Even if the system used is delivered pre-painted, any cut lengths or site
damage to the finished surface, must be pro- tected to the same level, by the installer. It should be noted that, in some cases, if the level of pro- tection applied on site is deemed insufficient, any guarantee offered may be invalidated, leaving the installer liable. Because the plastic ranges are so much lighter
than cast iron, installation at height is less hazardous, being effortless to lift, easy to manoeuvre, simple to cut and quick to fit. The systems also benefits from external fixing lugs, enabling easy power tool access, which further speeds up installation. All gutter fitting joints have integral seals and flexible retaining clips, allowing the gutter lengths to simply click into place. No extra-cost fixing kits or nuts and bolts
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