Corrosion of steel downpipes
Listed under:
Exterior,
metal,
steel,
plumbing,
gutters,
walls,
moisture,
durability,
corrosion,
rust,
downpipes
Cause
Moisture cannot readily drain away from around a bracket
Repair
- remove loose rust by sanding or wire brushing; apply either an acrylic corrosion-inhibiting primer where the metal is not exposed to a high corrosion atmosphere, or a zinc-rich primer in high corrosion zones; paint with a minimum two coats of acrylic latex paint
- if there are large holes the downpipe it should be replaced; small holes may be covered with duct tape as a temporary repair
- replace incompatible metal with a suitable metal or PVC downpipe
Cause
Moisture cannot readily drain away from the downpipe seam
Repair
- remove loose rust by sanding or wire brushing; apply either an acrylic corrosion-inhibiting primer where the metal is not exposed to a high corrosion atmosphere, or a zinc-rich primer in high corrosion zones; paint with a minimum two coats of acrylic latex paint
- if there are large holes the downpipe it should be replaced; small holes may be covered with duct tape as a temporary repair
- replace incompatible metal with a suitable metal or PVC downpipe
Cause
Incompatible metals such as copper guttering with a galvanised steel downpipe
Repair
- replace incompatible metal with a suitable metal or PVC downpipe
Cause
Material at end of its serviceable life
Cause
Wrong specification for the environment
Repair
- remove loose surface rust by sanding or wire brushing; apply either an acrylic corrosion-inhibiting primer where the metal is not exposed to a high corrosion atmosphere, or a zinc-rich primer in high corrosion zones; paint with a minimum two coats of acrylic latex paint
- if there are holes the downpipe should be replaced; small holes may be covered with duct tape as a temporary repair
- replace incompatible metal with a suitable metal or PVC downpipe