Lead work is one of the most demanding parts of roofing and one of the most common sources of water ingress when done badly. We carry out lead flashing, valleys, and soakers on roofs across Bury St Edmunds, using traditional hand-dressed techniques that last for decades. All our lead work meets BS EN 12588 standards.
Image: local lead work
Lead is used on roofs wherever different surfaces meet — around chimneys, where a roof joins a wall, in valleys between roof pitches, and around skylights and dormers. It is the most durable and weather-tight solution available, but it needs to be properly coded, dressed, and fixed to do its job. Poorly fitted or failing lead is one of the most frequent causes of water damage we see in properties across Bury St Edmunds.
The work involves cutting and dressing lead to the correct code weight for the location — code 3 or 4 for soakers and cover flashings, code 4 or 5 for valleys and chimney aprons. We chase lead flashings into the mortar joints of brickwork using a grinder, then secure them with lead wedges and point with a flexible sealant. On valley work, we form proper drips and rolls to allow for thermal movement, which prevents the cracking and lifting that causes leaks. We do not use flash band or sealant as a substitute for properly dressed lead.
Lead work requires an understanding of how the material expands and contracts with temperature changes. Get the bay lengths wrong or fix it too rigidly, and the lead will split within a few years. A specialist who works with lead regularly will get the detailing right first time and avoid the call-back.
We survey the affected areas before quoting and will always show you photographs of what we find. Most lead flashing repairs around a chimney or dormer take half a day to a full day. Full valley re-leads on a Suffolk farmhouse or period property take one to two days. All our lead work carries a ten-year workmanship guarantee.
Lead flashing replacement around a chimney stack in Bury St Edmunds typically costs between £250 and £600 depending on the size of the stack and the extent of the work required.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge — we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
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