Lead work is the most common leak point on a Canterbury roof — chimney flashings, valleys, and bay-window tops. Correct work uses the right lead code for the position: Code 4 inland, Code 5 on the coast at Whitstable and Herne Bay. Flashing renewal typically costs £250–£600. Poorly-dressed or under-gauge lead is a leading cause of persistent leaks.
Why Lead Work Matters on Canterbury Roofs
Most roof leaks aren't the tiles — they're the lead. Every place where a roof meets something else (a chimney, a wall, a valley, a bay window) is sealed with lead flashing, and that's where water finds a way in when the lead has slipped, cracked or been badly fitted in the first place. On Canterbury's Victorian terraces around St Dunstan's and Wincheap, tired lead flashing is behind a large share of the leaks we're called to.
The Lead Sheet Association specifies minimum lead codes by application and exposure — Code 4 (1.80mm) for most inland flashings and Code 5 (2.24mm) for valleys and coastal work — with maximum piece sizes to allow for thermal movement.
Source: Lead Sheet Association (LSA) technical manual
What Are Lead Codes and Why Do They Matter?
Lead sheet comes in graded thicknesses called codes. Code 4 is the standard for most inland flashings; Code 5, being thicker, is used for valleys and for coastal properties where wind and salt are harsher. Using too thin a code, or oversized pieces that can't expand and contract, causes the lead to split along fold lines within a few years. On the coast at Whitstable, Herne Bay and Seasalter, Code 5 is the sensible minimum.
What Does Lead Work Cost in Canterbury?
Renewing a chimney flashing in Canterbury typically costs £250–£600, depending on stack size and access. A full valley re-line costs more because it involves stripping tiles back on both slopes. Because lead work is skilled and material prices vary, we quote each job after a survey rather than giving a blanket figure.
Can You Repair Lead or Does It Need Replacing?
Small cracks can sometimes be patched, but if lead has split along fold lines or been fitted in over-long pieces, replacement is the honest answer — a patch just delays the next leak. We assess whether the existing lead was correctly sized and dressed, and recommend repair or renewal accordingly.
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