Specialist inspection, repair and replacement of failed lead roofs, bays, valleys, gutters, flashings and welded details.
From localised splits and failed joints to fatigued leadwork and poorly detailed historic repairs, we identify the cause before recommending the appropriate remedy.
Lead roofing can provide an exceptionally long service life when it is correctly designed, supported and installed. When failures occur, however, simply patching the visible split is not always enough.
A failed lead roof may be suffering from excessive bay sizes, restricted thermal movement, poor fixing, inadequate support, defective detailing, fatigue, corrosion or inappropriate previous repairs.
Our approach to lead roof repair starts by considering why the leadwork has failed before deciding whether a localised repair, welded repair, partial replacement or complete renewal is appropriate.
Where replacement is required, we use rolled lead sheet manufactured to BS EN 12588, with detailing informed by the relevant principles of BS 6915, Lead Sheet Association guidance and recognised industry good practice.
The visible leak is often only the final symptom. Understanding the underlying defect is critical when deciding whether a lead roof can be repaired successfully.
Repeated expansion and contraction can cause fatigue cracking where lead sheet is unable to move freely or has been installed in areas that are too large.
Lead sheet must be divided into suitably sized bays. Excessively large areas can place unnecessary stress on the material and contribute to premature failure.
Incorrect fixing, over-fixing, poorly formed joints or inappropriate detailing can prevent lead sheet from expanding and contracting naturally.
Outlets, sumps, corners and complex junctions may rely on lead welding. Poor preparation or unsuitable detailing can lead to localised failure.
Lead requires continuous, suitable support. Uneven, damaged or unsuitable substrates can affect movement, drainage and long-term performance.
Repeated patching can conceal the underlying failure and may eventually make a roof increasingly difficult to repair economically.
In many cases, yes. Localised defects can often be repaired where the surrounding lead remains serviceable and the original design is fundamentally sound.
Typical repairs may include replacement of individual bays, welded repairs, renewal of failed flashings, localised valley replacement, outlet repairs or correction of isolated detailing defects.
The key consideration is whether the proposed repair addresses the underlying cause of failure.
Where lead is extensively fatigued, incorrectly divided, poorly supported or covered in historic patches, further local repairs may simply defer the inevitable.
In these situations, carefully removing the existing leadwork and reconstructing the roof using correctly sized bays, appropriate substrates, suitable fixings and properly formed joints can provide the more durable solution.
Discuss Your Lead RoofOur leadworkers undertake localised repairs, partial renewal and complete replacement across a wide range of traditional and architectural leadwork details.
Repairs and replacement to bay window roofs, including timber rolls, drips, welts, abutments and welded corners.
Assessment of split, fatigued or poorly detailed lead flat roofs, including replacement of individual bays or complete roof areas.
Repair and renewal of lead valleys and gutters affected by splits, failed laps, corrosion, fatigue or poor historic detailing.
Repair or renewal of chimney aprons, soakers, stepped flashings, cover flashings, saddles and back gutters.
Repairs to parapet, box and secret gutters, including defective drips, outlets, laps and localised sections of failed lead sheet.
Welded repairs to corners, outlets, sumps and specialist details where welding forms an appropriate part of the remedial strategy.
A successful lead repair should be based on the condition of the existing material, the original detailing and the reason the defect developed.
We examine the visible defect, surrounding lead sheet, joints, fixings, substrates, drainage and adjoining roof details.
We consider the likely mechanism of failure rather than assuming the leak itself identifies the underlying problem.
We determine whether localised repair, partial renewal or complete replacement provides the most appropriate solution.
The leadwork is repaired or replaced with careful attention to movement, support, weathering and long-term serviceability.
Lead sheet expands and contracts as temperatures change. Proper lead roofing therefore has to accommodate movement throughout the life of the roof.
Where bays are too large, fixings restrict movement or details prevent the sheet from moving naturally, repeated thermal cycling can concentrate stress within the lead.
Over time, this can result in rippling, buckling, thinning and eventually fatigue cracking.
This is why repairing a split without understanding the bay arrangement and fixing method can provide only a temporary solution.
Learn About Lead Roofing
Lead welding allows properly prepared sections of lead sheet to be joined to form corners, outlets, sumps, seams and bespoke details.
It can also form part of a repair strategy where a localised defect is suitable for welding and the surrounding lead remains in satisfactory condition.
Not every split should simply be welded. Where fatigue or movement remains unresolved, the repaired area may fail again adjacent to the weld.
For more information, read our brief guide to lead welding.
Read the Lead Welding GuideExplore completed lead roofing work, repairs, replacements and specialist details from The Lead Lads®.
Our leadwork video library includes examples of lead forming, welding, roofing details and completed work.
For clients considering repair or replacement, these videos provide a useful insight into the workmanship and detailing involved in specialist lead roofing.
View Leadwork VideosRolled lead sheet and associated roofing materials are available separately through The Lead Lads® Shop.
Our online lead flashing chart can also be used to compare common lead codes, roll widths and sheet sizes when selecting material for flashing and repair work.
Visit The Lead Lads® Shop Shop the Lead Flashing Chart
Often, yes. A localised split may be suitable for repair where the surrounding lead remains serviceable and the underlying cause can be addressed. If the split is the result of widespread fatigue or incorrect bay sizing, partial or complete replacement may provide a more reliable solution.
Existing lead can sometimes be welded, but its condition is important. Dirty, oxidised, contaminated, thin or fatigued lead may be unsuitable for reliable welding. The surrounding sheet must therefore be assessed before deciding on a welded repair.
Common causes include restricted thermal movement, oversized bays, unsuitable fixing, poor substrate support, fatigue, defective detailing and previous inappropriate repairs. The location and pattern of cracking can help indicate the likely mechanism of failure.
Correctly designed and installed lead roofing can provide a very long service life. Longevity depends upon suitable lead code, bay sizing, support, fixing, detailing, exposure and the ability of the sheet to expand and contract without undue restriction.
This depends on the extent of deterioration and the quality of the original installation. Isolated defects within otherwise sound leadwork may justify repair. Widespread fatigue, repeated patching, poor bay sizing or fundamentally defective detailing may make replacement the more appropriate long-term option.
Yes. Our work includes lead valley repairs, gutters, chimney aprons, soakers, stepped flashings, back gutters and other traditional lead weatherings.
The Lead Lads® is a registered trademark owned by ONCOMMERCE LIMITED and operated under licence.
All quotations, contracts and site works are undertaken by Penman Leadwork & Roofing Ltd, trading as The Lead Lads® as an independent franchisee.
Penman Leadwork & Roofing Ltd contracts directly with customers and is responsible for the management, execution and delivery of all contracted works. ONCOMMERCE LIMITED is the franchisor and brand owner and is not a party to contracts for roofing, leadwork or construction services.
Penman Leadwork & Roofing Ltd
Company No. 17034011
12 Woodside, Wrenthorpe
Wakefield, West Yorkshire
WF2 0LE
Send us photographs of the affected area and tell us what you are experiencing. We can help determine whether your leadwork is likely to require repair, partial renewal or complete replacement.
Our focus is simple: identify the defect, understand why it has occurred and provide a repair strategy designed around proper leadwork.
Contact The Lead Lads® View Leadwork PricesEmail: hello@theleadlads.co.uk
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