Haverhill Roofers fits and repairs lead flashings, valleys and soakers for homeowners in Wickhambrook and the surrounding area.
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Lead is used wherever two parts of a roof or building meet - the junction between a chimney stack and the roof slope, the line where a lean-to roof meets a house wall, the trough of a valley where two slopes converge, and the cheeks and sills of dormers. These are the most water-vulnerable points on any roof. When the lead fails, water enters and the damage it causes is rarely limited to the roof structure alone.
Lead sheet is measured by code number. Code 3 is the thinnest and is mainly used for soakers beneath slates or tiles alongside a wall. Code 4 is the standard for most flashings. Code 5 is used for valleys and flat areas that carry higher volumes of water. Using the correct code for each application is not optional - undersized lead will fail earlier and may void any manufacturer rating on the material itself.
The main causes of lead failure are thermal fatigue, corrosion and physical damage. Lead expands and contracts with temperature change. Over many years this movement causes micro-cracks to form, particularly at bends and laps. On chimneys, the mortar that holds the flashing into the brickwork (the raggle joint) also erodes, allowing the flashing to lift at the edge and let water behind it.
Underside corrosion can happen when lead sits directly on wet timber for prolonged periods without adequate ventilation. Theft is a practical problem on some properties - lead valleys and flat roof coverings are targeted, leaving the structure immediately exposed. Physical damage sometimes occurs when aerial or satellite dish fitters walk on a roof without boards and distort the lead with their weight.
This is the question homeowners most often face with lead work, and there is no single answer. The right choice depends on the age and condition of the existing lead, the extent of the damage, and whether partial repair is structurally sound or just postpones the same conversation.
Repair is the right call when the lead sheet itself is in reasonable condition but a localised problem has developed. A common scenario is a chimney flashing where the mortar pointing has broken down but the lead is sound - the fix is to rake out the old mortar, re-dress the existing lead tightly back into the joint and re-point with fresh mortar and lead wedges. No new lead is needed. This kind of repair can typically cost £150 to £350 and, if done properly, should hold for many years.
Another repairable situation is a small split or crack in a valley lining where the surrounding lead is thick and well-adhered. A patch bonded with lead-welding technique can extend the life of the valley without a full replacement. This is different from slapping sealant over the crack - sealant does not bond to lead permanently and will open again within a couple of seasons.
Repair also makes sense when the area of defective lead is small relative to the whole run. Replacing a 300 mm section of step flashing where a single piece has cracked is cheaper than lifting and re-laying the entire chimney stack, and is entirely defensible if the rest of the lead is sound.
Replacement makes more sense when the lead is old, thin or already patched more than once. Lead that has been repaired with sealant repeatedly is a sign that the underlying sheet has reached the end of its useful life. On houses built in the mid-twentieth century, lead flashings can be approaching 60 to 70 years old - beyond the point where further repair is economical.
Replacement is also the right choice when the existing lead is the wrong code for the job - undersized lead that has been in place for years and is already showing widespread cracking should come off entirely. Patching thin lead prolongs a problem rather than solving it.
A valley replacement on a typical semi-detached house, including lifting the tiles either side, fitting new Code 5 lead and relaying, typically costs £450 to £950. A full chimney re-flash with all four sides - front apron, two sets of step flashings and rear cover flashing - typically runs £500 to £1,200 depending on the size of the stack and the access required. These are not small costs, but they compare favourably with the timber repair and plastering that follows a leak that has been left to run.
If a roofer says the lead needs replacing rather than repairing, ask them to show you why - either in person at the roof level or with photographs. A good contractor will be able to point to specific features: underside corrosion, through-cracks, failed lap joints, lead that is paper-thin from corrosion. If they cannot give you a clear reason, get a second opinion.
On a long valley run or a large chimney stack, partial replacement is sometimes the most practical route. If one section of a valley is damaged but the rest is in good condition, replacing only the affected length and lapping neatly into the sound lead either side is a legitimate approach - provided the join is made correctly and the surrounding lead has enough life left to justify leaving it. Ask the contractor to give you their honest view on how long the retained section is likely to last, and factor that into your decision.
Lead work rarely happens on a roof where everything else is perfect. While access is open, it is sensible to have the ridge mortar checked, the tile or slate condition assessed, and any other flashing joints inspected. Haverhill Roofers covers lead work alongside tile and slate repairs, ridge and hip re-bedding and flat roof maintenance for homeowners in Wickhambrook and nearby villages. If the scaffold is going up anyway, combining jobs is nearly always the more cost-effective approach.
Call us to arrange a roof inspection in Wickhambrook so you have a clear picture of what the lead work actually needs - repair, partial replacement or a full re-flash - before you agree to anything.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
