Leadwork in Leatherhead, Surrey and South West London

Lead Is Where a RoofKeeps the Water Out.

Where two slopes meet, the valley carries more water than anywhere else on the roof. Old lead valleys split; old tile valleys leak at the mortar. We replace with new lead of the right code, laid in lengths that can move with the roof.

A lead valley is laid on boards in lengths short enough to expand and contract, each overlapping the one below. Old valleys split because they were laid too long, or because the lead was too thin for the job. The slates or tiles are cut back to the valley and re laid over the new lead so the water has a clear run.

Valleys carry the water from two slopes, so they are laid in Code 5 lead in short lengths with a lap of at least 150 millimetres, over a timber valley board and an underlay, and the tiles or slates are cut back to leave a clear channel down the middle.

Dormer cheeks, tops and aprons; the lead where a roof meets a wall. Formed on site to the shape of the roof, not bought off a shelf.

Wherever a roof meets a wall or a dormer there is a junction the covering cannot seal on its own. Cover flashings, aprons and cheeks are formed to the exact shape of the roof and let into the wall, which is why they are made on site and not bought in.

Where a roof meets a wall, a cover flashing let into the wall laps over an upstand at least 75 millimetres high, and where a dormer sits in a slope the cheeks and top are finished in welded or lapped lead to suit the shape. Each piece is formed on site to the actual dimensions.

Lead has been the roofing detail on British buildings for centuries. We work on period and listed properties, matching the details that are there and using the right code of lead for the job.

Period lead is often part of what is protected on a listed building. We match the details, codes and finishes that are there, and work with the conservation officer where consent requires it.

On period roofs the lead details are often part of the building’s character, and on a listed building they can be part of what is protected. We work to the Lead Sheet Association’s guidance and match the sizes, laps and finishes that are there, with the conservation officer involved where consent requires it.

Flat lead roofs on bays and porches, lead lined parapet gutters and rainwater goods. The same craft, larger sheets.

Bay window roofs, porches and parapet gutters are lined in lead sheet, laid with rolls or drips so each piece can move. We replace them in the same way, sized to the current guidance, so they last as long as the originals did.

Lead flat roofs and parapet gutters are laid in bays sized to the code of lead, separated by wood cored rolls or drips so that each bay can move, and finished with a patination oil so they weather evenly. A bay roof or porch is normally a one or two day job.