Leadwork in Bridgwater
Chimney flashings, back gutters, valleys, hips, bay roofs and parapet gutters. Code lead, dressed and fixed properly.
Leadwork on Bridgwater property
Chimney flashings
Stepped flashings chased into the brick joints, soakers under the tiles, and a back gutter wide enough to take the water. Not a bead of mastic.
Big Georgian stacks
Historic England records brick stacks on the hipped roofs of Castle Street. Large stacks mean long flashings and wide back gutters, which need to be right.
Valleys
Open lead valleys where two slopes meet carry a lot of water. Split or slipped lead shows up as a ceiling stain some distance away.
Parapet and box gutters
Behind a parapet the gutter is out of sight, usually lead-lined, and easy to forget until it overflows indoors.
Bay and porch roofs
Victorian bays often have small lead roofs or lead-dressed tops. They are low, visible and exposed.
Abutments
Where a roof meets a wall or an extension meets the house, the lead detail is what keeps water out.
Why lead fails, and how we put it right
Pieces too long
Lead moves with heat. Pieces laid too long split. We cut to sensible lengths with proper laps.
Mastic instead of lead
A tube of sealant on a chimney is a temporary fix that often gets left for years. We take it off and do the job.
Wrong code for the job
Thinner lead in a gutter or valley wears through. We use the code that suits the position.
Clay tiles need dressing
A double Roman tile has deep rolls. Lead has to be dressed into that profile, not laid flat across it, or wind drives water underneath.
Leadwork FAQs
My chimney leaks only in heavy rain. Why?
Usually a back gutter or flashing that copes with normal rain but overflows or lets wind-driven rain in during a downpour.
Do you replace stolen lead?
Yes, and we can talk through alternatives for low, accessible areas if theft is a worry.
Can you just reseal it?
Sometimes a short-term reseal is right while you plan the proper job. We will tell you which it is.
Is leadwork covered by the guarantee?
Yes, workmanship and materials, for 20 years.
Sources: Historic England: 5 Castle Street.
Leak at a chimney, valley or parapet?
Send us a description or a photo and we will tell you what it is likely to be.