Marine compliant aluminium rainwater systems

The mid 1950s saw the introduction of aluminium gutters and rainwater pipes as an alternative to other metal rainwater systems. At that time even the (now obsolete) British Standard BS2997:1958 made no reference to selecting marine environment corrosion resistant grades of aluminium for both cast and extruded items. This, we believe, was based on the assumption the painted surface would protect the material from corrosion. This has proved to not to be the case.

Furthermore, as the alloy type is not regulated by British or European Standards, manufacturers tend to use the most economical grades of aluminium, most of which are adequately resistant to corrosion inland, alas not so in coastal areas.

Aluminium is widely used for the construction of ships, planes and drilling rigs, all of which need to be resistant to salt corrosive marine environments. However, unlike most of the rainwater products industry, they use the appropriate grades of alloy.

Marley Alutec recognises that, as the UK has thousands of miles of populated coastal perimeter, all its aluminium products must therefore be “Marine Compliant”.

Marley Alutec only use marine grade alloys for their components, as they are the most corrosion resistant alloys available. This gives Alutec systems the longest possible product and paint life-expectancy. Whether inland or for coastal areas, Alutec systems will outperform other lesser grade aluminium systems.