If lead flashing around your chimney, dormer, or abutment wall is letting water in, choosing the right contractor in Thorpe St Andrew makes all the difference between a lasting fix and a job that fails inside two winters.
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Lead flashing is the strip of dressed metal that seals the joint between a roof covering and a vertical surface - a chimney stack, a dormer cheek, a parapet wall, or the side of an extension where it meets the main roof. When it fails, rainwater tracks down behind the tiles and into the roof structure or ceiling below. The leak often appears several feet from the actual entry point, which makes it easy to misdiagnose.
A proper lead work job means cutting new lead to the correct code (thickness) for the application, dressing it neatly into the mortar joint or raglet, and fixing it so it can move with thermal expansion without cracking or lifting. Lead expands and contracts more than most people realise. Code 4 lead is standard for flashings; code 5 is used for wider or more exposed situations such as valleys and parapet gutters. Getting the code wrong means the lead either cracks prematurely or is unnecessarily heavy and harder to dress cleanly.
From a small step flashing repair on a chimney breast to a full valley replacement, the process is the same: strip out the old material, prepare the surface, cut and fit new lead, point the joints with fresh mortar, and check the surrounding tiles haven't shifted. Sealant alone is not a repair - it masks the leak temporarily and usually fails within a season or two.
There is no shortage of people willing to point a bit of silicone at your flashing and call it done. The question is how to tell a proper roofer from someone who will be back in six months with the same problem. Here is what to look for and what to ask before you agree to anything.
A knowledgeable contractor will be able to explain the fixing method without prompting. Lead flashing is secured either by tucking the top edge into a raked mortar joint (the chase or raglet) and pointing it back in, or by using lead tacks and clips where a chased joint is not possible. Ask which method applies to your job and why. If the answer is vague, or if they immediately mention sealant as a primary fixing method, that is a warning sign.
You should also ask what lead code they intend to use. The Lead Sheet Association publishes guidance that most competent roofers follow. Code 4 (1.8mm) is the minimum for most standard flashings; valleys and wider applications call for code 5 (2.24mm). A roofer who cannot tell you the code they are planning to use, or who quotes a single price without asking to see the job first, is worth treating with caution.
Before any money changes hands or any work starts, get clear answers to the following:
Be wary of any contractor who wants to start the same day without inspecting the roof properly first. Lead work is measured and cut on site; there is no shortcut that produces a good result. A price quoted over the phone without a visit is unlikely to reflect the actual job.
Pressure selling is another warning sign. Legitimate roofers are busy enough not to need to pressure homeowners into same-day decisions. If someone is pushing hard for an immediate commitment, it is reasonable to take a step back and get a second opinion.
Also be cautious of quotes that seem very low. Lead itself is not a cheap material - the metal cost alone for a chimney flashing job typically runs from around £80 to £200 depending on the quantity required. A quote that seems to barely cover materials is either using thinner-than-specified lead or cutting corners on the installation method.
Lead flashing costs depend on the size and complexity of the job. For straightforward chimney flashing - front apron, two side step flashings, and a back gutter - expect to pay somewhere in the region of £350 to £700 for a standard stack. Valley replacements typically cost more, from around £500 to over £1,000 depending on length and access. These are typical UK figures and will vary with the specifics of your roof.
If a quote comes in significantly below these ranges, ask exactly what lead code is being used and whether the mortar joints will be properly raked out and repointed. If a quote comes in significantly above them, ask for a breakdown. Neither extreme is automatically wrong, but both deserve explanation.
A proper inspection means getting on the roof or at least using a ladder to look closely at the junction. Binoculars from the ground can help identify obvious failures but will miss hairline cracks, lifted edges, and mortar failure in the chase. Any roofer who gives a fixed price without physically inspecting the flashing is guessing.
Older chimney stacks in particular are worth examining carefully. Lime mortar used in older brickwork requires a more flexible repointing mix than modern Portland cement; using the wrong mortar can cause the bricks themselves to spall over time. A good contractor will flag this rather than pointing with whatever comes to hand.
If you have a suspected lead flashing failure, call Poringland Roofers and ask for a roof survey. We will inspect the flashing, check the surrounding area, and give you a clear written scope of works before anything is agreed.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
