Leadwork · Chimneys
Leadwork dressed by hand, built to outlast the slates.
Chimney flashings, soakers, valleys, bay roofs and dormers in Code 4 and Code 5 lead, cut, bossed and dressed on site by roofers who’ve done it for years.
- Lead
- Code 4, 5 and 6 sheet
- Details
- Flashings, soakers, valleys, bays
- Method
- Hand-dressed, patinated
- Lifespan
- Typically 60+ years
Where most roof leaks begin
Wherever a roof meets a wall, chimney or another roof, it relies on lead to shed water. When lead splits, lifts or the mortar holding it fails, water gets straight in, often far from where the damp shows.
We replace failed lead in the right code and lengths, with proper laps and fixings, so it moves with the seasons instead of cracking.
Our work
Leadwork we carry out
Chimney flashings
Back gutters, aprons, step flashings and soakers renewed as a complete set.
Valleys
Old valleys stripped and relined with lead on boards, laps set to the pitch.
Bay & porch roofs
Bossed lead coverings with wood-cored rolls and drips.
Dormers
Cheeks, tops and aprons clad and detailed to shed water cleanly.
Patination
Patination oil applied to stop white staining running down stone and brick.
Signs your leadwork has failed
- Damp around the chimney breast
- Lead lifting away from the brickwork
- Cracked or missing mortar in the joints
- Splits in valley or bay lead
- White streaks down the stonework
- Mortar fillets used instead of lead
| Code | Thickness | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Code 4 | 1.80 mm | Soakers, step and cover flashings |
| Code 5 | 2.24 mm | Chimney aprons, back gutters, valleys |
| Code 6 | 2.65 mm | Bay roofs, dormers, flat lead roofs |
Can lead be repaired or does it need replacing?
Small lifts can be refixed and re-pointed, but split or fatigued lead should be replaced. Patching it rarely lasts more than a winter.
Do you offer lead alternatives?
We can fit approved lead-free flashings where theft is a risk or on some flat roofs, but for most chimneys and valleys lead is still the best material.
How long does chimney leadwork take?
A typical chimney is one to two days, including access, removal of the old lead and dressing the new set.
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