On chimneys & leadwork
Most roof leaks don't start in the middle of the roof - they start at the joins. Around chimneys, in valleys, where the roof meets a wall. The leadwork and pointing at these junctions is what determines whether a roof stays watertight for decades or starts leaking within a few years. It's craft work, and not every roofer does it well.
Chimney repointing
The mortar joints between the bricks of a chimney stack are exposed to more weather than just about anywhere else on a building. Over time the mortar erodes, and water starts getting into the brickwork. Repointing is the fix - raking out the failed mortar and replacing it with the correct mix for the chimney's age and exposure. Done properly, repointing extends the life of a chimney by 20–30 years.
Chimney rebuilds
Sometimes repointing isn't enough - the brickwork itself has spalled, cracked, or shifted. In those cases the chimney needs partial or full rebuilding. We take the stack down to a sound course, rebuild with matching bricks (or sympathetic alternatives where the original brick isn't available), fit new flaunching, and finish with new leadwork around the base.
Lead flashings
Lead flashings are the strips of lead that seal the joints where roof meets chimney, where roof meets wall, in valleys, and around penetrations like soil pipes. Quality lead flashings, properly dressed and pointed in, will last 50+ years. Cheap or badly fitted flashings will leak within a few. We use code 4 and code 5 lead where appropriate, dress it properly, and point it in with the correct mortar.
Lead valleys
A lead valley - the gully where two roof slopes meet - is one of the most demanding pieces of leadwork on a roof. It carries a huge volume of water during heavy rain, and any fault will let water straight into the property. We form lead valleys properly, with the right gauge of lead, correct overlaps, and proper joints.
Chimney removal
If a chimney is no longer in use and is becoming a maintenance liability, removal is sometimes the sensible option. We can remove chimneys above the roof line, make good the roof, and finish with new leadwork and tiles. Full chimney removal (down to ground level) is usually a structural job involving other trades - we'll advise on what's involved.
Pot replacement
Damaged or unsafe chimney pots need replacing, especially if they're showing cracks or wobbling. We replace pots, refit cowls if needed, and re-flaunch the chimney top to keep water out.
Why we're particular about this work
Leadwork is one of the parts of roofing where shortcuts show up later - sometimes years later. Lead that's been bedded wrong, joints that have been silicone-sealed instead of properly lapped, repointing done with the wrong mortar mix: these are the things that turn into recurring leaks. We do the detail work properly because doing it twice is more expensive than doing it once.
Get a free quote
If you've got chimney or leadwork issues, give us a call or request a callback.
