G&A Lead Roofers Call 0800 624 430
The use of Lead in the Building Industry
For centuries, lead has been used widely because of its easily manageable and adaptable state. Lead has a resistance to electricity that is unlike most other metals and is largely defiant of corrosion. Its many properties make lead a very practical material across a spectrum of industries, particularly in construction work and roofing.
The reason it has such an important and varied use in roofing is due to its soft, malleable nature that makes it ideal to mold and manipulate into different shapes. Lead acts as a prominent material in roofing, used in flat leaded roofs, chimney lead slates, back leaded gutters and lead valleys – to list but a few. If a lead roof is installed properly, it is guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Why should I use G&A Roofing to handle the repairs my lead roof requires?
Here at G&A Roofing, our experience in fitting and carrying out repairs to leaded roofs is rich to say the least. Over time, we have gained 25 years of handling the installation and repairs of lead roofs, making us expertly equipped to deal with any roofing situation presented to us.
The roofers here at G&A Roofing are trained and qualified in operating on every type of building there is, including commercial, listed and the residential home. Our workforce are knowledgeable, professional and have a wealth of experience working in all areas of lead and metal roofing, including the handling of emergency roofing repair work.
Lead Flashings& Leaking Chimney Stacks
Here at G&A Roofing, we receive many enquiries from customers who have concerns about the condition of their roofs. Often, we answer calls from those with questions regarding leaks around the stacks of their chimney and why this happens.
There can be a number of reasons as to why this problem occurs. It could be that the leaded flashings that surround the chimney stacks are faulty, that they were installed badly or have been worn by the weather leaving the lead in need of repair.
Should you ever discover a leak in the lead flashings of your roof, it is essential that you have it inspected by a roofing expert as soon as possible. If you were to neglect the problem, the leak will worsen and the damage will eventually require an emergency leading repair.
The lead of the lean-to roof is waterproofed with lead apron flashings. Its top edge is pointed into the mortar joints, which are two course above the roof. The lead is dressed down onto the roof and overlaps the roof coverings. The flashings are where the roof meets the side of the chimney and is similar to that at an abutment, but there are also junctions at the front or back of the chimney. An apron flashing is fitted to the front. The apron flashing are also fitted to the sides of the chimney. At the back there is a timber supported gutter. The front edge of the lead is turned up to the brick face.
Lead Valleys& Leaks
A leaky lead valley is most often caused due to neglecting the occasional maintenance a valley needs in order to fulfill its function. If a leaded valley isn’t cleared every so often, it is inevitable that it will accumulate leaves, moss and debris – preventing any rain water from leaving your roof. The water could accumulate and leak into your property.
To avoid this problem, always ensure that the leaded valley is clear of any debris to ensure the free flow of rainwater.
A leaky lead valley can also occur if the lead is cracked or has split, due to either movement or the work of a bad roofer.
Some tiled roofs have valley tiles that take the tiling to angle, but most tiled and slated roofs have metal valley flashings, which are made by laying the lead lining on boarding that runs from the eves to the ridge following the angle of the valley. The lead is dressed down over the wooden fillets and is then nailed to the boarding to form an upstand. An upstand is where the two valleys meet the ridge and a lead saddle is formed. Our lead roofers can quickly identify any problems with the lead flashings and valleys.
Lead Products G&A Roofing Supply & Fit
· Pitched Lead Slates: Made from quality Code 4 lead, leaded pitched slates are suited to both tiled and slated roofs. They are also ideal for flue and vent pipes.
· Lead Ridge Vents: Ideal for use in flashings, wood burners and soil pipes. Leaded ridge vents can also be used in tiled and slated roofs.
· Flat Lead Slates: Highly durable, flat leaded slates are used in flat roofing.
· Lead Back Gutters: G&A Roofing can supply and fit you with all types of leaded back guttering.
· Chimney Lead Front Aprons: G&A Roofing can supply and fit you with a front apron to fit any roof.
· Lead Ridge Abutments: Our leaded ridge abutment flashings are designed to provide protection and weatherproof the section of the roof that intersects at the chimney.
· Lead Roof Vents: Effectively designed to vent the roof space.
· Lead Valleys: G&A Roofing can supply and fit your roof with all types of lead valleys.
· Lead Soakers: Made from quality Code 4 lead, we can supply you with a lead soaker to fit any roof.
Lead Theft
In recent years, the value of lead has soared. Because of this, criminals are targeting any building that offers them some form of access to a leaded roof, stealing from churches, schools, factories and residential homes. The damage that can be done to a roof during a theft can be financially crippling under unfortunate circumstances, greatly outweighing the value of the lead that is stolen in the first place. If lead is stolen from a roof during bad weather, the damage caused can total thousands, and in some cases, tens of thousands of pounds.
Recently, two men were imprisoned for stealing a small fortune of £200 worth of lead from the roof of a school building in Birmingham. During the theft, it snowed heavily. As a result, the cost of damages to the roof exceeded £30,000.
In 2010, G&A Roofing attended to more than 95 emergency roofing repairs in and around the Manchester area. Over 25% of these repairs were carried out as a result of the damage left behind by lead theft. Our statistics revealed that Manchester has been the area worst affected by this sort of crime, shortly followed by Bolton, Wigan and Oldham. Wimslow, Worsley and Warington were the least affected.
How can I deter lead theft?
· Do not aid thieves by parking your wheelie bins too close to your property. They will not only use bins as a stool to access your roof, they will also use them to transport the lead they have stolen. In 2010, G&A Roofing dealt with six instances of lead theft similar to this in Manchester, three in Bolton, two in Wigan and one in Oldham.
· Always store ladders out of sight. Keep them secure, locking them to prevent thieves using them to access your roof. G&A Roofing have dealt with several cases where ladders have been used to steal lead in Manchester and Bolton.
· Install floodlights into parts of your property that you feel could be vulnerable to thieves. Check them regularly, ensuring that they are working to provide your roof with the best chances of protection.
· Use anti-vandal paint where possible and display a warning notice.
· If possible, try to restrict vehicle access to your premises.
· If you have been a victim of lead theft in the past, perhaps you should research alternative materials to protect your roof.
Ubiflex – A Practical Alternative to Leaded Flashings
As the price of lead continues to climb, the sales of Ubiflex – a material compound of polyethin and aluminium mesh, have soared. Unlike lead, which is constantly vulnerable to petty theft, Ubiflex is has no re-sale value, rendering it useless to thieves.
Although its appearance is very close to that of lead, its carbon footprint is dramatically less. It is non-toxic, fully recyclable and cost-effective. It is extremely light in weight and is easy to install, requiring only a sharp knife to alter its shape, making it simple, quick and safer to install.
North London, North West London, and East London.
Enfield, Barnet, Potters Bar, Waltham Cross, Waltham Abbey, Broxbourne, Hoddlesdon. Islington, East Finchley, Finchley, Finsbury Park, Highbury, Highgate, Holloway, Hornsey, Lower Edmonton, Muswell Hill, New Southgate, North Finchley, Palmers Green, Southgate, South Tottenham, Stoke Newington, Tottenham, Upper Edmonton, Upper Holloway, Whetstone, Winchmore Hill, Wood Green. Camden Town, Cricklewood, Hampstead, Hendon, Kentish Town, Kilburn, Mill Hill, St John’s Wood, The hyde, Willesden, Golders Green.
Redhill
Redhill, Reigate, Betchworth, Dorking, Horley, Lingfield, Oxted, Godstone, Crawley, Horsham, Billingshurst, Burgess Hill, Hayward’s Heath, Forest Row, East Grinstead, Pulborough.
Guildford
Guildford, Cranleigh, Godalming, Farnham, Aldershot, Farnborough, Camberley, Lightwater, Bagshot, Windlesham, Woking, Virginia Water, Hindhead, Haslemere, Petworth, Midhurst, Liphook, Petersfield, Liss, Alton, Bordon Heath, Yateley, Sandhurst, Fleet.
Brighton
Brighton, Hove, Henfield, Hassocks, Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven, Worthing, Lancing, Littlehampton, Arundel, Eastbourne, Pevensey, Seaford, Polegate, Hailsham, Shoreham-by-sea, Steyning.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Southsea, Waterlooville, Havant, Rowlands Castle, Emsworth, Hayling Island, Gosport, Lee-on-solent, Fareham, Chichester, West Sussex, Bognor Regis, Newport, Cowes, East Cowes, Ryde, Seaview, Bembridge, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, Totland Bay, Freshwater, Yarmouth.
Bristol
Bristol, Clevedon, Weston-super-mare, Winscombe, Axbridge, Cheddar, Wedmore, Banwell, Nailsea and Baskwell, Yatton.
Bath
Bath, Radstock, Shepton Mallet, Wells, Glastonbury, Castle Cary, Templecombe, Wincanton, Bruton, Frome, Warminster, Westbury, Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon, Street, Yeovil.Accrington, Alderley Edge, Birkenhead, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Burnley, Bury, Worsley, Buxton, Chadderton, Cheadle, Chester, Chorley, Chorlton, Colne and Nelson, Colwyn Bay, Derby, Glossop, Manchester, Harrogate, Hebden Bridge, Heywood, Huddersfield, Keighley, Knutsford, Lancaster, Liverpool, Macclesfield, Mossley, Oldham, Preston, Ramsbottom, Rhyl, Rochdale, Rossendale, Sale, Salford, Sheffield, Southport, Stockport, Stoke on Trent, Bolton Swinton, T
Manchester and the North West
Manchester Accrington, Alderley Edge, Birkenhead, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Burnley, Bury, Buxton, Chadderton, Cheadle, Chester, Chorley, Chorlton, Colne and Nelson, Colwyn Bay, Derby, Glossop, Harrogate, Worsley, Hebden Bridge, Heywood, Huddersfield, Keighley, Manchester Knutsford, Lancaster, Liverpool, Macclesfield, Mossley, Bolton, Oldham, Preston, Ramsbottom, Rhyl, Rochdale, Rossendale, Sale, Salford, Sheffield, Southport, Stockport, Stoke on Trent, Swinton, Timperley, Wakefield, Warrington, Wilmslow, Wigan, Worsley, Manchester.
imperley, Wakefield, Warrington, Wilmslow, Wigan, Worsley
Remember, if its urgent and you need an emergency roof repair we will be ready and waiting for your call 0800 626430