Lead work in Ipswich

Lead work in Ipswich

Lead work covers the installation and repair of lead flashing, soakers, valleys, and cappings that seal the joints between your roof and other parts of the building. Any point where a roof meets a chimney, a wall, a skylight, or a dormer window needs proper lead work to stay watertight. This is one of the most common causes of internal water damage in Ipswich properties, particularly in the older terraced and semi-detached houses found across areas like Westgate and Rushmere.

The work involves cutting lead sheet to the correct width, dressing it precisely to the angle of the roof, and fixing it with lead clips or wedging it into the mortar joints of the adjacent brickwork. We use Code 4 or Code 5 lead sheet for most domestic flashing applications, stepping it correctly so water cannot track behind it. Where mortar joints have been used to seal old flashing directly into the masonry, we rake these out properly and re-point rather than just running a bead of sealant over the top, which is a short-term fix that fails quickly.

Sealant-only repairs on lead flashings rarely last more than a couple of winters. Correctly fitted lead, dressed and fixed properly, is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials available. Getting it right the first time avoids the damp patches, stained ceilings, and timber damage that come from repeated minor leaks.

We inspect the surrounding tiles or slates, the pointing, and the condition of any existing lead before starting work. Most lead flashing repairs or replacements on a standard chimney can be completed in a single day. We clear away all offcuts and waste before we leave.

Lead flashing repairs on a standard domestic chimney in Ipswich typically cost between £150 and £400 depending on how many sides need attention and the condition of the mortar joints.