Once your lead flashing has been repaired or replaced at your Lakenheath property, a little straightforward aftercare will significantly extend how long it performs before it needs attention again.
Lead flashing seals the junction between your roof covering and any upstanding surface: a chimney stack, a parapet wall, a dormer cheek, a valley between two roof slopes, or the upstand at the edge of a flat roof. Correctly installed using code 4 or code 5 lead sheet dressed to British Standard, it is one of the longest-lasting materials in roofing. We carry out all types of lead installation and repair across Lakenheath and the Ely area.
The biggest waste of a well-executed lead work job is neglecting basic maintenance and finding yourself back at the same problem a few years later. Most aftercare is simple, costs nothing, and takes minutes.
Lead is a durable material, but it is not entirely maintenance-free. The most common causes of early failure are blocked gutters and hoppers that force water back up under flashings, mortar pointing that has eroded from the chase and allowed the lead to lift, debris accumulating in valleys and flat roof outlets, and moss or lichen growth that retains moisture against the lead surface. None of these are inevitable; they are manageable with straightforward attention.
Thermal movement is a factor built into the design of any lead installation. Lead expands in warm weather and contracts in cold. A properly installed flashing accommodates this with joints every 1.5 metres on longer runs. If those joints start to open slightly, they can trap debris and moisture. Checking them periodically costs nothing.
A lead valley gutter or flat roof edge collects water and channels it away. Leaves, moss, roof granules and wind-blown debris accumulate in valleys over time, particularly in autumn. A blocked valley causes water to back up and overflow, which it will do at the weakest point, often underneath the lead rather than over it. Clearing valley debris once or twice a year, particularly after leaf fall, prevents this entirely.
Lead flashing is fixed into a cut chase in the masonry, with the chase re-pointed once the lead is dressed in. That pointing is not structural, but it does stop the lead from lifting. Frost and age erode mortar pointing over time. If you can see that the pointing in a chimney chase is crumbling or missing in patches, arrange for it to be re-pointed before the lead lifts. Re-pointing a chase is a straightforward job and far cheaper than dealing with the water damage that follows if the lead comes away.
Moss on a roof retains moisture. When it grows at the base of a chimney or along a valley, it sits against the lead and keeps it permanently damp. This accelerates the weathering of mortar joints and can cause the lead to pit over many years. A biocide spray applied by a roofer during routine maintenance kills moss at the source. Do not use a pressure washer on lead or the surrounding tiles: the force can lift flashings and damage the tile surface.
A blocked gutter does not just overflow at the front of the house. Water backs up and sits against the fascia, the roof edge and, on older properties, against lead flashing at parapet walls or flat roof perimeters. Gutters should be cleared at least once a year, twice if trees overhang the roof. A gutter that is pulling away from the fascia will also allow water to run behind it and onto the wall or soffit below.
If scaffolding has been erected on your property for any reason, inspect lead flashings once it comes down. Scaffold clips are sometimes attached directly to chimney stacks, and careless removal can disturb the flashing. Any chimney repointing work should also be followed by a check that the flashing chases were not accidentally raked out in the process.
You do not need to get onto the roof to spot early warning signs. From the ground or an upstairs window, look for:
None of these observations require you to go anywhere near the roof. If you see any of them, call a roofer to inspect before the problem gets worse.
A professional inspection every three to five years is sensible on most properties. After a period of severe weather, particularly heavy frost followed by rain or persistent high wind, an earlier check is worthwhile. Lead itself can last many decades when correctly installed and maintained. The mortar work around it and the masonry it is fixed to typically need attention sooner.
An inspection does not mean extensive work. Often a roofer will find that everything is in good order, or that a small amount of re-pointing is needed. Catching that re-pointing before the lead lifts costs considerably less than dealing with water damage to ceilings, timbers and plaster inside the property.
Re-pointing a lead chase on a chimney is usually straightforward and typically costs in the region of £100 to £250 depending on how much of the pointing needs attention and the access required. Valley clearance during a maintenance visit is generally a minor charge. A full re-flash with new code 5 lead to a chimney all round typically runs from £500 to £1,000 or more. Catching the problem at the maintenance stage rather than the replacement stage is nearly always cheaper.
We cover Lakenheath and neighbouring areas including Ely for all lead work: new installations, repairs and routine maintenance inspections. If you are unsure about the condition of your flashings, call us to arrange a roof survey and we will give you a straight assessment of what, if anything, needs doing.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
