Lead work is one of the most critical elements of a watertight roof, sealing around chimneys, skylights, valleys, and abutments. Poor or failing lead is a common cause of roof leaks in properties across Thetford. We carry out all types of lead flashing installation and repair to a traditional, durable standard.
Image: local lead work
Lead work seals the joints where your roof meets vertical surfaces — chimneys, dormer walls, parapet walls, and roof windows. When the lead cracks, lifts, or the mortar pointing that holds it fails, water tracks straight into the roof structure or down inside the chimney breast. It's one of the most common causes of internal damp that homeowners in Thetford mistake for condensation or a plumbing problem.
We cut and dress all lead by hand on site. This means shaping it correctly to the profile of the roof tiles or slates and dressing it into the mortar joints of brickwork — a process known as chasing. Lead is fixed using lead clips rather than just mortar alone, which allows for the natural thermal movement of the metal without it cracking away from the joint. Valleys between roof slopes are lined with code 4 or code 5 lead sheet depending on the pitch and exposure of the roof. Stepped flashings on chimney stacks are formed individually and lapped correctly at each course.
Leadwork done badly — or with unsuitable alternatives like mineral felt or flash band — fails quickly and often makes the leak worse by trapping water. Lead, properly fitted, lasts fifty years or more. Attempting to patch failed flashings with sealant is a short-term fix that typically fails within a single winter.
We inspect the surrounding brickwork and tiles when we carry out lead work, so any related issues are flagged before they become a separate repair. Most flashing jobs around a chimney stack or roof window are completed within a day. We re-point all chased joints on completion and test for watertightness before leaving site.
Lead flashing replacement around a standard chimney in Thetford costs approximately £300–£600, depending on the number of faces and the condition of the surrounding brickwork.
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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