Lead Flashing in Birmingham
We re-fix and replace the lead that seals the joins on your roof, round chimneys, along walls and at the edges of roof windows.
- Quotes in writing
- 17 areas covered
Birmingham Roof Pros repairs and replaces lead flashing on homes in Birmingham and the towns around it. We work on the lead round chimney stacks, along the wall where an extension roof meets the house, in valleys between two roof slopes, and round roof windows. Where the lead has only lifted, we re-fix it. Where it has split or worn thin, we cut and fit new lead.
What flashing does
Historic England says flashings are usually made of sheet lead. They keep the weather out at the joins where the roof covering meets something it runs up against, such as a chimney.
Historic England also says those joins are often the most vulnerable part of the roof.
Signs your flashing has failed
Historic England's maintenance checklist asks whether all flashings are still fixed into the wall, chimney or roof covering. It asks you to check the joints where they are fixed are in good condition. And it says to make sure they are still pressed down flat and have not been blown away from the wall.
The same checklist says green staining, algae or plants on an outside wall can point to a problem with the flashing. Inside, it says damp on ceilings or in the loft can be a sign of a roof leak.
When you can see lead flapping, or damp next to the chimney breast, we check the flashing first, along with the chimney itself.
How we repair and replace lead
We start by looking at how the old lead was fixed. On a chimney or wall, we check the mortar joint the top edge is tucked into, since crumbling mortar there lets the lead work loose.
- If the lead itself is sound, we rake out the joint, re-fix the lead and repoint over it.
- If the lead is split, cracked or worn, we take it out and fit new lead shaped to the roof.
- Where tiles meet a wall up a slope, we fit stepped lead that follows the brick courses.
Historic England says to inspect flashings as part of regular checks and fix problems quickly.
Access and safety
HSE says sloping roofs need scaffolding to stop people or materials falling from the edge. It allows secured ladders and proper roof ladders only for short tasks measured in minutes.
We will tell you whether your job needs a scaffold, and if it does, we show it as its own line in the quote.
Lead, theft and older homes
On older buildings, Historic England says lead gutters and pipes should be repaired with lead. The exception is where lead is at high risk of being stolen and the council and Historic England agree a substitute is better.
That guidance is about gutters and pipes rather than flashing. For conservation areas, Birmingham City Council says to check whether you need consent before you start any work. Tell us if that applies, and we will quote to suit.
Questions about lead flashing in Birmingham
Can lead flashing be repaired, or does it need replacing?
We re-fix lead that has lifted but is still whole. We replace lead that has split or cracked, because a patch on split lead does not last.
Why does my roof leak only when it rains hard?
We check the flashing on the side the weather comes from first, since wind can push rain under lead that has lifted at the top edge.
Do roof windows need lead flashing?
The Planning Portal says the edges of a new rooflight, which it describes as a window fitted within a pitched or flat roof, need sealing against the weather. It says this is commonly done with lead flashing or with kits supplied with the rooflight. We fit whichever suits the window and the roof.
Is mortar instead of lead a good fix?
We use lead at the joins because mortar on its own tends to crack away from the wall as the roof moves. If a past repair used mortar, we can replace it with lead.
Do you work on flat roof flashings?
Yes, we do. Where a flat roof meets a wall, the edge needs a flashing too, and we fit it as part of the job.
Who should I ask about an old or listed house?
Historic England says that if you are in doubt, get advice from a professional with experience of older buildings. Tell us the age of the house when you ask for a quote.
Get a lead flashing quote
Send us your postcode and a line about where the leak or loose lead is. We will come and look, then send you a written quote.
Ready to talk about your roofing job?
Send the quote form with your postcode and what you need. We will get back to you with a written quote.