Diss Roofers carries out lead work for homeowners in Long Stratton, covering flashings, valleys, abutments and all lead detailing that keeps a roof watertight for decades.
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Lead is used wherever two surfaces on a roof meet or where a roof meets a wall. The most common items are step and cover flashings at chimney stacks, valley linings where two roof slopes join, apron flashings over bay window roofs, and soakers tucked under slates or tiles at abutments. Done properly, lead work outlasts almost every other roofing material. Done poorly, it fails within a few years and lets water into the roof structure where it is hard to detect until real damage has been done.
Lead soakers are individual pieces of lead shaped to fit under each slate or tile course, directing water away from the join. They work alongside step flashings which are cut into the mortar joints of brickwork. Both pieces have to be right - an error on either one lets water track behind the lead rather than shedding off it.
Lead work is a specialist skill, and not every roofer who handles tiles and felt has the experience to do it well. In Long Stratton, as anywhere, the cheapest quote is rarely the best decision when the job involves lead. Here is what to ask before you sign anything.
A contractor who has done plenty of lead work will be able to show you photos of finished flashings, valleys and detailing - not just tile work. Ask specifically about the type of job you need done. A chimney flashing on a detached house is different from a parapet gutter or a lead flat roof, and not every roofer is experienced with every type.
Lead sheet is sold by code, which reflects its thickness. Code 3 is the thinnest and is only suitable for soakers. Code 4 is the standard minimum for most flashings. Code 5 or heavier is correct for valley linings and flat roofs. A contractor who cannot tell you which code they plan to use, or who plans to use Code 3 where Code 4 or 5 is needed, will produce work that fails early. This is not a minor detail - it is one of the most important questions you can ask.
Lead must be secured with clips or tacks into mortar joints, not just pressed in and pointed over with mortar. It also needs to be dressed carefully so it conforms to the surface without cracking. Lead expands and contracts with temperature changes. If it is fixed too rigidly or in pieces that are too long (more than 1.5 metres per section is generally too long), it will split over time. Ask the contractor how they handle thermal movement - a good answer demonstrates real knowledge.
At chimney stacks and parapet walls, the lead is wedged into raked-out mortar joints and then pointed in with lead wedges or mortar. The mortar used should match the existing brickwork in strength - using a hard cement mortar on soft older brick can cause the brick face to spall. Ask whether they check the brick condition before pointing.
A quote that simply says "renew flashings - £X" tells you very little. A proper quote should state which items are being replaced, what lead code will be used, and what associated work (repointing, tile lifting, scaffold) is included. If anything is unclear, ask for it to be written out before you agree.
Some contractors offer to seal cracked flashings with a liquid membrane product rather than stripping and relaying the lead. This can be a reasonable short-term measure on minor cracks, but it is not a permanent repair. If a contractor proposes it as the main solution to a failing flashing, ask why they are not replacing the lead and what lifespan they expect the sealant to give. You should know what you are paying for.
Lead work pricing varies depending on the job. The cost of a single chimney stack with step flashings and an apron depends on chimney size, access requirements and the condition of the brickwork. Valley linings are priced by the metre and commonly run from £80 to £150 per linear metre. Lead flat roofs are priced by the square metre, usually between £100 and £180 per square metre depending on the system. Scaffold is usually a separate cost if it is needed.
Prices at the lower end of those ranges should prompt questions, not celebration. Below-standard lead grade, missing soakers, or flashings that are not properly fixed will cost more in the long run when they fail and allow water ingress.
Lead flashing forms a waterproof seal between a roof surface and a vertical surface such as a chimney, wall or dormer. Without it, rainwater runs directly into the gap between the two surfaces and into the roof void. Lead is used because it is soft enough to be dressed tightly to uneven surfaces, it resists corrosion, and when installed correctly it lasts for many decades without needing attention.
Lead soakers are small individual pieces of lead, one per tile or slate course, that sit underneath the slates or tiles at a junction with a wall. They channel water away from the gap and into the gutter rather than allowing it to seep behind the flashing. Soakers are hidden once the tiles are relaid, so poor quality or missing soakers are not visible from the ground - another reason why the detail of what a contractor plans to do matters before work starts.
If you can see the flashing from ground level with binoculars and it looks like it has been repointed or patched more than once, the lead itself probably needs replacing rather than another patch.
Diss Roofers works across Long Stratton and nearby places. If you have a chimney flashing, valley or any other lead detail that needs professional attention, call us to arrange a roof survey and a clear written quote.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
