Roofing Service
Leadwork & Lead Flashing Repairs
Lead does the work at every awkward junction on a roof — around chimneys, along valleys, where a roof meets a wall, around dormers and rooflights. Done well it outlasts almost everything around it. Done with a bead of sealant and a bag of sand and cement, it fails within a couple of winters.
Where leadwork matters
These are the details that decide whether a roof stays dry.
- Stepped flashing and soakers where a chimney passes through the roof
- Back gutters behind chimney stacks
- Valley linings where two roof slopes meet
- Abutment flashings where a roof meets a wall or extension
- Dormer cheeks, tops and rooflight surrounds
- Parapet and box gutter linings
Common leadwork failures
Lead splits when it is fitted in lengths that are too long and has nowhere to expand. It lifts when the upstands are not properly wedged and pointed into the joint. And cement fillets used in place of lead crack away from the masonry as soon as the two materials move at different rates.
We replace failed work with correctly sized, properly fixed lead rather than patching over the top of it.
Working on older buildings
Period houses, churches and older farm buildings often have leadwork that has been altered over decades. We work sympathetically with what is there, matching detailing and codes appropriate to the job rather than imposing a one-size approach.
Questions
Leadwork — Common Questions
Why has my lead flashing cracked?
Usually because the sheets were fitted too long, leaving the lead nowhere to expand and contract with temperature. Replacing it in correctly sized sections with proper fixings solves it.
Is a cement fillet acceptable instead of lead?
It is a short-term fix at best. Cement and masonry move differently, so the fillet cracks and water gets behind it. Lead is the proper detail.
Can you repair a leaking valley?
Yes. Valleys carry a lot of water and are a common failure point. We reline them in lead and reset the slates or tiles each side.
Related services
Need leadwork?
Call Crown Shield Roofing & Building on 083 072 0735 and we will talk through what your property needs.