Lead Flashing Repair

Chimney flashings are required to stop the water from traveling down the chimney breast and through the gap between the tiles. If there is damage its likely that a lead flashing repair will be required.

Depending on the tile you may have a cover chimney flashing (as shown above) or a standard stepped flashing. This prevents water from being blown under the leadwork by strong winds and also by water running down the wall.

Lead Valleys are less commonly used now in favour of cheaper precast GRP fibreglass valleys. A well-fitted lead valley can easily last 80+ years. You will do well to get 40 years from its fibreglass equivalent.

If the lead is not installed with enough overlap on the tiles this can allow water to ingress through the nail holes of the tiles and in high winds water will be blown under the lead. This issue would again require the removal of the flashing and a lead flashing repair to be carried out.

Over time lead becomes harder and more brittle. As the lead will expand and contract throughout the seasons eventually stress marks will start to appear and it would be wise to change the chimney flashings before a serious leak occurs.

Sometimes a "handyman" or in this case a plumber can get things wrong from the start, This boiler flue flashing was put under the tiles and then tiled over, which made it completely useless, and a new lead flashing repair is required. You should always be able to see at least some leadwork on a vent over the top of the tiles below.