The Property

Lead Roof to All Saints Church – Slingsby, North Yorkshire

This project involved specialist lead roofing work to All Saints Church in Slingsby, North Yorkshire. The Lead Lads were subcontracted to a larger specialist roofing company, Neal Roofing, to assist with the installation of the lead roof, gutter linings, flashings, ridge detail and associated drainage components.

All Saints Church is a traditional North Yorkshire church with complex roof geometry, stone masonry and important heritage detailing. Roofing work on a building of this type requires careful planning and experienced leadworking methods to ensure the roof remains watertight while preserving the character of the structure.

The Lead Lads assisted with several important areas of the roof system, including lead coverings, gutter linings, ridge details, flashings, spitters and fully welded sumps. These details were critical to ensuring reliable rainwater drainage across the church roof.

Why the Leadwork Needed Replacing

Historic church roofs are exposed to severe weather conditions over long periods of time. Lead coverings, gutters and outlets can eventually deteriorate through age, movement, weathering and fatigue. Once water begins to penetrate vulnerable details, the roof timbers and internal structure below can quickly become affected.

On a church roof, rainwater management is especially important. Gutters, sumps and spitters often collect large volumes of water from multiple roof slopes, meaning even a small failure can create significant problems. This project focused on forming durable lead details capable of performing reliably over the long term.

Leadwork Standards and Technical Approach

This project was completed using a standards-led approach focused on traditional church leadwork, durable detailing and long-term weathering performance.

• BS 6915 informed the design and installation of the fully supported lead sheet roof coverings and gutter linings.
• BS EN 12588 governed the rolled lead sheet material specification.
• Lead Sheet Association guidance informed bay sizing, fixing principles, welding, bossing, outlet formation, sumps, spitters and flashings.

The key principle on church leadwork is durability. Code 5 and Code 6 lead were used where appropriate, with stainless steel clips and insect mesh integrated into the roof details to provide secure fixing and robust weather protection across the various roof sections.

Specification of Works

Preparation and Removal

• Church roof areas inspected and coordinated with the principal roofing contractor.
• Roof drainage routes assessed before new leadwork installation.
• Gutter lining, ridge and outlet positions set out for new lead details.
• Lead sumps and spitters measured and prepared for fabrication.
• Working areas organised to suit the wider ecclesiastical roofing programme.

Substrate and Support

• Roof substrates checked to ensure correct support beneath the new leadwork.
• Gutter and outlet areas prepared to receive Code 5 and Code 6 lead.
• Ventilation and opening points protected using stainless steel insect mesh.
• Support details coordinated with adjoining roof coverings and flashings.

Leadwork Installation

• New lead roof coverings installed using Code 5 and Code 6 lead.
• Lead gutter linings formed to suit the church roof layout and falls.
• Lead flashings dressed into masonry interfaces and roof junctions.
• Ridge details integrated into the wider roof covering system.
• Lead sumps fabricated and fully welded before installation.
• Lead spitters formed to discharge water safely from the roof areas.
• Stainless steel clips used to secure lead details without restricting movement.
• Completed leadwork checked for weathering, continuity and water flow.

Finishing and Protection

• All welded details inspected before completion.
• Roof outlets, gutters and flashings checked for continuity and falls.
• Finished leadwork reviewed alongside the wider roofing works before handover.

The Materials

This church roofing project used a combination of traditional leadworking materials selected to suit the heritage nature and exposure of the building.

• Code 6 lead
• Code 5 lead
• Stainless steel insect mesh
• Stainless steel clips
• Lead welding materials
• Lead-compatible fixings

More details are available through the main contractor’s project page here: Ecclesiastical roofing project – North Yorkshire church lead roofing.

If you are trying to understand which code of lead is right for a similar detail, our shoppable lead chart is a useful starting point. For broader product learning, see The Lead Handbook and our lead roofing guides.