Lead flashing and chimney lead work for roof repairs

A chimney breaks through the roof covering, so the joint between brick and slate has to be sealed by something other than the slates themselves. That job falls to lead flashings stepped up the sides, an apron across the front and a back gutter behind. If any of those lift, crack or were badly fitted, rain runs straight down into the loft.

The stack itself also weathers. Mortar washes out of the joints, the sand-and-cement flaunching around the pots cracks, and pots can loosen in high winds.

Typical work includes repointing the stack, renewing cracked flaunching, re-bedding or securing pots, fitting caps to redundant flues, and replacing the lead flashings around the base. Where a chimney is no longer used, we can talk through the options for making it weathertight.

We always check the slates or tiles immediately around a chimney, as they are often disturbed by previous repairs and are part of the same weak spot. Lead roofs and lead work roofing details need careful inspection too: a patch may hide a split or restrict movement rather than solve the cause.

Where a stack has been rendered, we also look for hairline cracks and hollow patches in the render, since water getting behind it can soak the brickwork for months before a stain appears inside the house. Catching that early keeps the repair small and avoids disturbing the chimney breast indoors.

Lead is used wherever two roof surfaces meet or a roof meets a wall. Valleys — the internal corners where two slopes join — carry a large volume of water and are a frequent source of leaks when the lead splits or the edges curl. Abutments, dormer cheeks, and the junction between a flat roof and a house wall all rely on the same skills.

Good lead work is about sizing the pieces so they can expand and contract without cracking, dressing them tightly to the shape of the roof, and fixing them so the wind cannot lift them. Short cuts here tend to show up within a few winters.

Valleys have their own page too: see roof valley repairs for how split lead and cracked mortar valleys are put right.

A single lifted flashing can be re-dressed and re-fixed. Lead that has split along its length, or has been patched with sealant and mastic, usually needs replacing, because those coatings trap water and fail quickly on a moving metal surface.

We will show you what we find and explain what we recommend, so you can decide with the facts in front of you. If the leak is at the stack, see our chimney repairs and chimney leaking guides. For a valley fault, our roof valley repairs page explains the repair options.

Rowan Roofing is family-run, based in Cardenden, Fife, and has been trading for 16 years, with over 50 years of roofing experience in the family. We work across Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee and will travel up to 50 miles for the right job.

To arrange a quote, call 07508 571291 or send us a message with a description or photo of the chimney. We are open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 6:00pm and Saturday 8:00am to 12:00pm.