J&JW Longbottom have been producing cast iron rainwater goods for over a hundred years at our traditional foundry in West Yorkshire, including gutters, pipes, hopper heads, drain covers and airbricks. The company places immense value on the quality of our goods and the service provided.
Visitors to our works in the historic town of Holmfirth will see the foundry working today as it was one hundred years ago, with a few nods to modern methods that improve quality and sustainability. As well as standing the test of time, cast iron rainwater goods conserve and enhance the traditional appearance of buildings and communities where other materials would look out of place.
Quality Build
The rainwater goods are moulded by hand, with close attention to detail, ensuring everything we create is to the highest quality and standards. Using traditional sand-casting techniques and pattern methods, the rainwater systems are built to last and withstand extreme weather conditions.
Sustainability
Cast iron has a lower environmental impact than other metals as it needs minimal processing to create the finished product and is incredibly sustainable. Most of the raw material we use is recycled from scrap, failed castings and surplus offcuts; cast iron products can be continually recycled for future use to further diminish the risk of damage to our climate. We now use an electric induction furnace to heat the metal, which offers many environmental benefits from using a traditional coke-fired furnace, generating less dust, fumes and Co2 emissions.
Period Aesthetic
A cast iron rainwater pipe is one of the most recognisable features of a period property and is often specified by planners and architects to keep the traditional appearance of historic and listed buildings during renovations. Hopper heads, gutters and airbricks are often used to enhance a property with their ornamental appearance and we have so many designs to choose from, whether that’s to match an existing pattern or to create a bespoke design. We acquired Sloan & Davidson’s impressive pattern range when they closed, meaning their historic designs can still be used and we can offer matches for most existing rainwater castings without the need for a new pattern.
Durability
It’s not just about looks, cast iron is strong and durable and will keep buildings safe from rainwater for many years to come. Cast iron has been the material of choice for guttering systems since Victorian times, preferred to other materials for its longevity, reducing the risk of repair or replacement in the long term. As we look to the future and witness the changing weather patterns and challenges this brings, cast iron rainwater goods have even more to offer in terms of protecting our homes from the ravages of weather.