Leadwork and lead flashing
Most roof leaks are not holes in the roof. They are failures where the roof meets something else: a chimney, a wall, a valley, a bay. Those junctions are what lead is for, and lead done properly outlasts almost everything around it.
Done badly, or replaced with cement and mastic because it was quicker, those same junctions become the thing that ruins the ceiling below.
- Covering
- East Lancashire & Craven
- Quotes
- Free, no pressure
- Ring or text
- 07840 031508
What we do
- Chimney flashings, including stepped flashing, back gutters and soakers
- Valleys, both open lead valleys and secret gutters
- Abutment flashings where a roof meets a wall, as on extensions and dormers
- Box gutters and parapet gutters, common on the terraces round here
- Bay window roofs, which on Victorian property are frequently lead
- Dormer cheeks and tops
- Soakers and cover flashings on any junction
- Lead slates around pipes and vents
Why cement is not a substitute
Walk round any terraced street locally and you will see chimneys with a wedge of cement where the flashing should be. It is quick, it is cheap, and it fails.
Cement is rigid. Lead moves, and a roof moves constantly with temperature. A cement fillet cracks within a few years, then holds water in the crack rather than shedding it, which is worse than nothing at all. Once it has cracked, water runs behind it and straight down the chimney breast.
If you have damp on a chimney breast, a cracked cement fillet is the most likely cause on this housing stock.
Doing lead properly
Lead work is specified by code, from Code 3 up to Code 8, which is simply how thick the sheet is. Heavier code goes where there is more exposure or more movement.
Two rules matter more than anything else, and both are broken constantly:
- Lead must be allowed to move
- Individual pieces have maximum lengths for exactly this reason. One long continuous run instead of properly lapped shorter pieces will split, because lead expands and contracts and something has to give.
- It must be fixed and dressed, not stuck
- Wedged into a raked joint, pointed, and dressed to shape with the right tools. Mastic holding lead in place means it was fitted by someone in a hurry.
Signs your leadwork has failed
- Damp on a chimney breast, particularly after driving rain
- Staining down an internal wall where an extension meets the house
- Visible cracks in cement fillets around a chimney or abutment
- Lead that has lifted, ripples, or shows a split along its length
- Water in the room below a bay window
- Green or white staining on a wall beneath a flashing
What leadwork costs
- Lead is priced by weight and the code specified, so the material cost is real
- Access, since chimney work almost always needs a scaffold
- How much has to be cut out and made good, especially where cement has been hacked in
- The complexity of the junction
The things people ask us
Longer than most roofs. Properly fitted lead on a chimney will outlive the covering around it, which is why it is worth doing once rather than three times in cement.
It happens, mostly on churches and commercial buildings rather than houses.
Splits can sometimes be lead-welded, and a lifted flashing can be re-dressed and re-fixed. If it has split because it was one long piece with nowhere to move, it needs replacing correctly or it will simply do it again.
What people said about the work
Read the reviews, then ring us and see if we match up.
Alex replaced our leaking guttering. The guttering was measured, ordered and all replaced within a week! The job was done very professionally and at a great price! Great guys, who left the area spotless, when finished. Fantastic job! Great, honest, genuine tradesman. We would highly recommend to all!!!!!
We met Alex by chance one rainy afternoon on the local canal towpath. We were both sheltering from the rain under the same bridge. My husband and I had, earlier, been discussing our garage roof which was new a few years ago, but which had been leaking for some time. We think our chance meeting with Alex was meant to happen as, for some reason, I mentioned our leaky roof to him. We have always had difficultly finding reliable…
Excellent job, lovely people, very good roofers and sensible prices
Absolutely brilliant service from start to finish. The work was completed to a really high standard they were reliable, professional and tidy throughout. It’s clear they take pride in their work, and the finished roof looks fantastic. Would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy, hardworking roofer. Thank you to Alex, Jeff, Ryan & Junior Kath & Eric at Number 6
Great job done by Alex, Jason and Alfie on our chimney stack and roof. They provide a very professional friendly, service and are a pleasure to work with. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services. Thank you so much.
Excellent work done by a superb team. Alex, Geoff and Luke have done an incredible job on my roof and front of house. The roof no longer leaks (when living in Preston that's an important thing!) and the front of the house appearance has been transformed from an old tired look to a clean and more modern feel. They provide great advice, give you a quote detailing what they are going to do and then crack on and do a brilliant job…
Alex replaced our guttering, reset all the ridge tiles on the roof and capped the chimney properly. Alex and Luke were a breathe of fresh air to deal with. Alex was very friendly, he kept us informed of progress and what they were doing. He attended at the specified time and always kept everything clean and tidy. Quotes were accurate and were stuck to. Quality work throughout so if you want half a job doing don't call him. Personally I…
Alex and Geoff took great care inspecting the roof and deciding on a plan of action. Geoff and Luke worked seamlessly together to repair the numerous faults they discovered. They were cheerful and courteous at all times and were always ready to explain how the work was progressing and the issues they were dealing with as they arose. Jason and Alfie did a good job with the rendering. Photographs were provided, documenting their…
Alex and Luke have pointed our chimney and replaced pots. All the ridge tiles have been removed and replaced. Nothing has been too much trouble for these guys. We are more than happy with the end result. Totally reliable and trustworthy. Very friendly lads. I would 100% recommend their services.
Alex has just repaired chimney (putting right someone else’s bad work mainly) and ridge. Used Alex before after storm in 2022 brought guttering down on my 300 yr old cottage. Measured, made and fitted within about a week thankfully after months of others roofers either not showing or making out how difficult the job was
Very pleased indeed. Alex was responsive, helpful and, as chance would have it, was able to do the repair to the guttering at our daughter's bungalow, promptly. The charge was minimal for two tradesmen. Would certainly use again and have no hesitation in recommending him to others.
Alex and his team did a first class repair job on my roof. Excellent value for my money. Kept me informed at all stages of the job, clean and tidy on completion.
Other things we do
Pointing and repointing
Ridges, hips, verges and stonework. Failed pointing lets water in long before it starts to look bad.
Read moreRoof repairs
Leaks, slipped and broken slates, storm damage, failed flashing and cracked cement. Most roofs we look at need a repair rather than a replacement.
Read moreEmergency roof repairs
Water coming in now. We make the roof safe and watertight first, then talk about the permanent fix once it is dry.
Read more