Leadwork in Norfolk

Where lead sits on a roof

Most roofs carry more lead than their owners realise. It lines valleys between two slopes, steps down the side of a chimney, tucks under the bottom of a dormer window and covers small flat areas such as bay tops and porch canopies. Because every one of those places collects running water, a single split or lifted edge can put a stain on a ceiling some distance away from the fault itself.

When we are asked to look at a leak, the lead is one of the first things we check. Tired mortar pointing along the top of a flashing, a strip that has crept down the slope over years of heating and cooling, or a valley lined in pieces that were too long all show up clearly once someone is up on the roof looking.

• Chimney flashings, soakers and back gutters
• Lead-lined valleys
• Abutment flashings against walls
• Dormer cheeks, aprons and tops
• Bay, porch and canopy roofs

Repair or renew

Not every tired flashing needs replacing. Where the lead itself is sound, repointing the chase it sits in or refixing a lifted edge can be all that is required. Where it has cracked, thinned or been cut too short in the past, new lead dressed to the right shape is the lasting answer, and we will tell you which it is before any work is agreed.

Old repairs made with sealant or bitumen tape are common. They can hold for a while, but they usually hide the real problem. We remove them, look at what is underneath and quote for a proper repair.

Period roofs and matching work

Older Norfolk buildings often have lead detailing that belongs to the character of the roof. On period and listed properties we aim to renew like for like, following the lines of the original work, so the repair reads as part of the building rather than a patch.

How a leadwork job runs

It starts with a free inspection. We look at the lead, the pointing, the surrounding tiles or slates and the timbers where they can be seen, then send a written, no-obligation quotation. If the work goes ahead we agree a date, set up safe access and leave the roof watertight at the end of each day.

We work Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 17:00. If lead has been torn away in a gale and water is coming in, our emergency call-out service is advertised 24/7.

Chimney aprons and wall abutments

The apron at the lower face of a chimney directs water onto the roof covering. Side soakers and stepped flashings protect the adjoining courses, while the back gutter deals with water arriving from above the stack. These details should be considered together when a chimney breast becomes damp, rather than renewing one visible strip without checking the rest.

At a wall abutment, the flashing needs a secure termination into the masonry and a shape that sheds water over the covering. Failed pointing may be repairable where the lead is sound; a split or short piece can call for renewal. Lead flashing cost depends on that distinction and on access, not simply the amount of metal visible from the garden.

Solar roof junctions: identify what is actually leaking

If a leak appears near solar panels, do not assume the panel itself or the nearest lead flashing is responsible. The existing solar and roofing guide explains the relationship between roof coverings and installations. Describe when the water appeared and whether roof work or panel installation took place before it.

A roofing assessment concerns the covering and its weatherproof details. Electrical work or changes to the solar system require the appropriate specialist. No panel removal, mesh fitting or bird-proofing service is claimed here; identifying a roof junction is different from advertising a new solar service.

Common questions

Can you repair lead without replacing it?

Often, yes. Lifted edges can be refixed and failed pointing renewed. If the lead is split or too short, we recommend new lead instead.

Do you do leadwork on flat bay and porch roofs?

Yes. Small lead-covered roofs over bays, porches and canopies are part of our leadwork service.

Is the inspection free?

Yes. The inspection and the written quotation are both free and carry no obligation.

What do lead codes mean?

Lead codes describe sheet thickness. The appropriate code depends on the size and function of the roofing detail; our leadwork guide explains the common uses.

What is flat roof flashing?

It is a weatherproof junction detail where a low-slope roof meets a wall, upstand or other interruption. Its material and termination must suit the roof system.

What is roof flashing repair?

It is work to a failed junction that directs water onto the covering. Depending on condition it can involve refixing, renewing pointing or replacing damaged flashing.