Cambridge Roofers carry out lead flashing installation and repair in Fulbourn, using the right Code of lead and the right method for a lasting, watertight result.
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When a lead flashing needs replacing, homeowners in Fulbourn are sometimes offered several different materials by different roofers. Knowing what each one involves, and where it is and is not appropriate, helps you make a sensible decision rather than simply accepting the cheapest quote.
This page covers the main materials used for roof flashings on domestic properties - lead, zinc, copper and modern alternatives - with honest notes on where each one works well and where it falls short.
Lead has been used in roofing for centuries, and it remains the default specification for flashings on most UK homes. It is dense, malleable, and self-sealing at overlaps. When correctly dressed to the right Code, a lead flashing will outlast the mortar joints, the tiles and quite possibly the homeowner.
Lead sheet is specified by Code number, which corresponds to its thickness and weight per square metre:
The Code chosen depends on the location, the pitch, and how much water the flashing will need to handle. Installing Code 3 where Code 5 is required is one of the most common reasons flashings fail prematurely. A cheaper job that uses thinner lead is not a saving - it is a repair that will need repeating in a fraction of the time.
Pros: Exceptionally long service life when correctly specified. Malleable enough to dress into complex profiles around chimney corners and dormer cheeks. Accepts thermal movement well when installed in short lengths with proper expansion joints. Compatible with slate, clay tile, concrete tile and stone. Relatively easy to repair - a section can be replaced without disturbing the whole installation.
Cons: Lead is heavy, which matters when working at height. It is a target for theft on accessible roofs - chimney flashings on low-pitched outbuildings and bay window roofs are periodically stolen in many areas. Lead also requires skill to dress correctly; a poorly beaten fold thins the metal and creates a stress point that will crack. On very low pitches below 5 degrees, lead needs special detailing to prevent ponding.
Zinc sheet is thinner and lighter than lead, and it has a longer history in continental European roofing than in the UK. It is specified on some architectural projects where a grey patinated finish is wanted, or where a building's existing metalwork is zinc and consistency matters.
Pros: Lighter than lead. Develops a stable patina that protects the surface. Accepted on some listed building applications where lead is already present in a similar form.
Cons: Less malleable than lead - it cannot be dressed into tight profiles as easily, and complex chimney details are harder to execute neatly. Zinc can suffer from underside corrosion if moisture is trapped beneath it, which requires attention to ventilation and substrate. It is also more expensive per square metre than lead in most current UK markets. Not the standard choice for routine domestic flashing repairs.
Copper is durable and attractive - the green patina it develops is familiar on older churches and public buildings. It is specified occasionally on prestige domestic projects or where it matches existing copper features.
Pros: Very long service life. Develops a distinctive and stable patina. Holds its shape well once formed.
Cons: Copper is significantly more expensive than lead or zinc. Run-off from copper can stain masonry green over time, which is worth considering on pale stonework or render. It requires specialist skills to work with correctly. Not a practical choice for most routine domestic flashing repairs, and rarely cost-effective for a single chimney or dormer job.
Self-adhesive flashing tape (lead-faced or aluminium-faced bitumen tape) is sometimes used as a quick repair product. It bonds directly to the surface without mortar chases or wedges, which makes it fast to apply.
Pros: Quick to apply and inexpensive. Useful as a short-term measure on a section of flashing while a full repair is planned, or as a temporary fix before winter.
Cons: Degrades significantly faster than lead. The adhesive bond breaks down with UV exposure and thermal cycling, often within five to ten years. It cannot be worked into complex profiles properly and is not a long-term solution for chimney or dormer flashings. A roofer who quotes only tape for a failed chimney flashing is not solving the problem.
EPDM rubber membrane is widely used for flat roof coverings and can also be used for flat roof upstands and abutment details. It is flexible, durable and lighter than lead. However, for chimney stacks and dormer flashings on pitched roofs, EPDM is not a suitable substitute for lead - the detailing is different and the material does not perform well when required to dress tightly around masonry corners.
For the overwhelming majority of domestic lead work in Fulbourn and the surrounding area - chimney flashings, dormer side soakers, flat roof abutments - correctly specified lead sheet is the right answer. It is the material that roofers know best, the one that building control expects to see, and the one most likely to give you a flashing that is still performing in thirty or forty years.
Zinc or copper may be appropriate if your property has existing metalwork in those materials, or if an architect specifies them for a particular reason. Self-adhesive tape has its place as a short-term measure only. EPDM is excellent for flat roofs but is not a chimney flashing material.
If a roofer suggests an alternative to lead without explaining why it is suitable for your specific situation, ask the question directly. The answer will tell you a lot about whether they understand the work involved.
Lead flashing repairs in and around Fulbourn typically cost in the range of £200 to £500 for a straightforward single-chimney repair - re-dressing existing lead, repointing the mortar chase and replacing wedges. A full chimney flashing set in new lead, including back gutter, step soakers and cover flashing, typically runs from around £600 to £1,200 or more depending on the size of the stack and the complexity of the detail. Flat roof abutment flashings vary widely depending on the run length.
These figures are for the lead work itself. If scaffolding is required - which it will be for most chimney and dormer work - that adds a further cost, typically from £300 to £700 for a standard domestic scaffold.
We cover Fulbourn and the nearby towns and villages including Cambridge, Trumpington, Sawston, Waterbeach, Stow cum Quy, Histon, Girton, Chesterton and Ely. If you are unsure whether your lead work needs attention, call us for a roof survey and we will tell you clearly what is needed and what is not.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
