Leadwork — Merseyside
Leadwork Across Merseyside
Lead is the material that weathers every awkward junction on a roof — where a chimney breaks through the tiles, where two roof slopes meet in a valley, or where a roof meets a wall. Get it wrong and it's one of the most common sources of leaks we're called out to fix; get it right, properly dressed and detailed, and it will comfortably outlast the roof covering around it.
We carry out flashings, valleys, box gutters and soakers across Merseyside, specifying the correct code (thickness) of lead for each application in line with BS 6915, the British Standard for lead sheet flashing and weathering.
We'll assess whether a repair or a full replacement is genuinely needed — localised splits or lifted sections can often be repaired, while widespread cracking or lead that's reached the end of its working life is usually better replaced properly than patched repeatedly. We'll tell you which applies to your roof, honestly.
📞 Call for a free quoteChimney flashings
Stepped flashing, soakers and cover flashing formed and dressed properly around every chimney junction — the single most common source of roof leaks.
Valleys & box gutters
Lead-lined valleys and box gutters fitted to the correct fall and code, handling higher water volumes than any other part of the roof.
Code-appropriate lead, BS 6915
The correct thickness specified for each application — not a one-size-fits-all approach that under-specifies high-wear areas.
Repair or replace, honestly assessed
We won’t default to a full replacement when a proper repair will genuinely do the job just as well.
Why it matters
Why Leadwork Is Where Most Roof Leaks Start
Chimneys, valleys and wall abutments aren't flat, continuous surfaces — they're junctions, and every junction on a roof has to be individually weathered rather than simply covered over. A chimney alone needs stepped flashing dressed into the brick joints, a soaker fitted under each course of tiles or slates, and a cover flashing over the top; miss or degrade any one element and water finds its way in, often tracking some distance before it shows as a damp patch inside. See our guide on chimney flashing problems for more detail on how this typically goes wrong.
Common questions
Leadwork — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my roof needs new lead flashing?
Common signs are visible cracking or splitting in the lead, green staining (verdigris) running down brickwork below a chimney, damp patches inside near a chimney breast or valley, or lead that has lifted, been dislodged, or shows signs of previous poor repairs such as excess mastic or sealant.
What grade or code of lead do you use?
We specify the correct code (thickness) of lead for each application — lighter codes for stepped flashings, heavier codes for valleys and larger box gutters — following BS 6915, the British Standard for lead sheet flashing and weathering.
Is lead flashing better than lead alternatives?
Genuine lead remains the benchmark for durability, lasting 50 years or more when correctly fitted. Modern lead alternatives are sometimes appropriate for smaller repairs or budget-conscious jobs, and we'll give you an honest comparison at survey rather than defaulting to the more expensive option unnecessarily.
Why is lead flashing around chimneys so often the source of leaks?
A chimney breaks through the roof plane, creating a junction that has to be weathered rather than simply covered. If any one element — stepped flashing, soakers, cover flashing — is missing, poorly formed or has failed with age, water finds its way in. It's one of the most common sources of roof leaks we're called out to.
Can leadwork be repaired, or does it need full replacement?
It depends on the extent and cause of the damage. Localised splits or lifted sections can often be repaired or re-dressed. Widespread cracking, theft damage, or lead that's reached the end of its working life is usually better replaced properly than patched repeatedly. We'll assess and advise honestly rather than defaulting to the bigger job.