Marley to refurbish 500 homes in Liverpool

The Challenge

A £1.5m project carried out by Liverpool Mutual Homes has seen over 500 social housing properties across Liverpool refurbished with Marley Deepflow guttering system as part of an extensive upgrade initiative: External Envelope Project 2016. 

The Solution

Deepflow was particularly specified as it is manufactured with advanced Life4 technology, meaning it can withstand exposure for up to four times longer than standard PVCu rainwater gutters and has high gloss levels, improving the overall aesthetic of the system. Liverpool Mutual Homes consistently use this product on their houses, so this specification meant all properties would have a similar look at the roofline.

Terry Carroll of W H Carroll & Sons, the sub-contractor on the project, explains: “We were giving the properties a facelift and a key element of this was replacing the existing guttering because of their planned maintenance programme.  We specified Marley’s Deepflow gutter as it is second-to-none in performance and looks.”  

Marley Deepflow is a Life4 rainwater system and therefore maintains it colour retention levels up to four times longer than standard PVCu rainwater systems. Advanced Life4 technology gutters and downpipes are co-extruded with an external durable, high specification material with high gloss levels, ensuring that the products look better for longer than standard systems. All materials used in the range are lead free.   

This project also benefited from the high capacity, durability and ease of installation of Deepflow systems. The ‘easy-clip’ technology means it is simple to joint the gutter and fitting, ensuring a fast installation. The gutter can expand and contract without creaking and is capable of carrying up to 3.9 litres of rainwater per second. This is because the semi-elliptical profile produces a self-cleansing flow that can easily cope with the medium to heavy rainfall demand on the properties. 

Terry continues: “We have a very good relationship with Aliaxis, having used its products on other projects, so are familiar with the quality and reliability.  We’ve tried similar products, but have always found Aliaxis to be the best.” 

As part of Liverpool Mutual Homes’ Asset Management Strategy, a 5 year cyclical maintenance programme (External Envelope Programme) has been developed which addresses any external maintenance requirements to the stock such as upgrades or renewal of roofs, soffits, fascia boards, gutters, rain water pipes etc.  Products have been chosen to help obtain value for money and standardise where possible to assist with future maintenance 

It took eight months to complete the exterior facelifts of the 500 properties, which also included painting and general maintenance. Terry said: “The guttering looks new and fresh, inline with the rest of the changes on the houses and so will have a positive impact on the people living in these houses, giving them a nicer living environment.” 

John Bowker, Assistant Director of Property Services at Liverpool Mutual Homes said: “We have chosen Marley Deepflow guttering as it provides a good dimension size guttering with a more than adequate water flow rate.  The product maintains its colour for longer due to the manufacturing process, and the high gloss finish provided looks superior to other products. The easy clip technology allows for quick installation and simplifies future maintenance.  Overall, we are really pleased with the end result and as such this will remain our product of choice for future installations.”