Lead Work & Lead Flashing

Specialist lead work in Colchester and across Essex

Lead work is a true roofing craft, and it’s one of the clearest dividing lines between a skilled roofer and a general handyman. Poorly fitted or under-specified lead is one of the most common causes of persistent roof leaks, because the detailing has to allow for the way lead expands and contracts with temperature. With over 20 years’ experience, we install and repair lead flashing the proper way, using the correct code of lead and the right techniques so it stays watertight for decades.

Where lead flashing is used

Lead is used wherever the roof meets another surface or changes direction, and these junctions are exactly where water finds its way in if the detailing is wrong. We carry out lead work including:

• Chimney flashing including stepped flashing, soakers and back gutters to seal the joint between brickwork and tiles. This work goes hand in hand with our chimney repair service.
• Valleys where two roof slopes meet and carry a high volume of water.
• Abutments where a roof meets a wall, using step flashing chased into the mortar joints.
• Bay window roofs, a traditional use of lead that demands neat, durable detailing.
• Soakers and cover flashings at tile and slate junctions.

Repairs, replacement and the right code of lead

Old lead can crack, split or fatigue over the years, and we often find previous work has been patched with mortar fillets or mastic that simply doesn’t last. We repair and replace lead using code 4 and code 5 lead appropriate to the application, dressing it properly and sealing the laps so it performs as it should. Using the correct thickness matters: lead that’s too thin will fatigue and fail prematurely, while the right specification gives you a long, maintenance-free life.

If your leak turns out to be down to slipped tiles, worn underlay or other faults rather than the lead itself, our roof repair team can sort that at the same time, so you only need one trusted contractor on site.

Quality you can rely on

We handle all the scaffolding, health and safety and contracts so the job is done safely and properly from start to finish. Every quote is free and no-obligation, with photos and transparent pricing, and our repairs are backed by a 3-year guarantee. We’re rated 10/10 on Checkatrade and reviewed on TrustATrader. If you’ve got recurring damp around a chimney, valley or wall junction, contact us and we’ll diagnose the real cause.