Lead flashing repair in Exeter
Professional lead flashing repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£135-£260
Typical Duration
2.5-5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Lead flashing around chimneys and walls repaired or replaced. Re-pointed into mortar joints or replaced with new lead work to restore watertight seal.
That Water Stain on the Bedroom Ceiling?
Nine times out of ten when you've got a leak around the chimney, it's the lead flashing. Not the tiles, not the chimney itself - the flashing. The lead pulls out of the mortar joint, or cracks, or was badly fitted from the start, and rain pours straight down inside your house.
💡 Pro tip: Lead flashing fails gradually. First it pulls out slightly, then rain driven by wind gets in, then it pulls out more. Catch it early and it's a re-pointing job. Leave it and you're replacing lead and fixing water damage inside.
Repair vs Replace - What's Actually Needed
Not every flashing leak needs complete replacement.
| ✅ Can Repair | ❌ Needs Replacing |
|---|---|
| Lead sound but pulled from mortar | Lead cracked, split, or corroded |
| Just needs re-dressing and re-pointing | Badly fitted, wrong type/size |
| Quick fix, watertight for years | Temporary repair won't last |
| Cost-effective solution | Replacement is only proper fix |
What You Get
🔧 Lead Flashing Repair Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Inspect | Check flashing condition, find leak source |
| Decide | Repair or replace - I'll explain which and why |
| Work | Re-dress and re-point OR fit new flashing properly |
| Seal | Watertight finish, mortar or mastic as appropriate |
📦 You're Left With
- Sealed joint, no more leaks
- Properly dressed lead work
- Protected internal decoration
- Professional finish
Pricing Guide
| Work Required | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Re-point existing flashing | 2.5 hrs | £135 |
| Repair and re-dress damaged flashing | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
| Replace chimney flashing completely | 4-5 hrs | £210-£260 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Basic materials included, new lead quoted if needed.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Leak around chimney - water stains on ceiling
✅ Lead pulled out - can see gaps in mortar
✅ After storm - wind damage to flashing
✅ Old house maintenance - preventative re-pointing
Why Choose Us for Lead flashing repair in Exeter?
Stops water getting in around chimneys
Properly formed and dressed lead work
Sealed watertight against weather
Prevents internal water damage
What to Expect
Step 1: Get Up & Assess
I access the chimney safely and check the flashing properly. Sometimes it's obvious, sometimes you need to look carefully to find where water's getting in.
Step 2: Repair or Replace Decision
I'll show you (photos if needed) whether the lead can be repaired or needs replacing. Honest assessment - I won't replace lead that can be repaired.
Step 3: Do The Work
Re-dress lead properly into position, point back into mortar joints, or fit new flashing if replacement's needed. Sealed watertight.
🔧 DIY Tips
This is height work and skilled lead work - think very carefully before attempting:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- SAFE roof and chimney access
- Pointing trowel and mortar
- Lead working tools (dressers, bossing mallets)
- Replacement lead sheet (correct code/thickness)
- Lead sealant
- Angle grinder (for raking out mortar)
🪜 Safety critical
- Chimney work is exposed and dangerous
- Proper access equipment essential
- Never work alone on roofs
- Weather matters - don't work in wind or wet
- Lead is heavy - be careful handling on ladders
🔨 Basic repair (re-pointing)
- Rake out old mortar from joint to depth
- Clean joint thoroughly
- Re-dress lead into joint (use lead dresser)
- Dampen joint before pointing
- Point with proper mortar mix (3:1 sand:cement)
- Finish flush, weathered joint
- Seal edge with lead sealant if needed
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Dangerous access - this is where people get hurt
- Not dressing lead properly (just stuffing it in joint)
- Wrong mortar mix (too strong or too weak)
- Damaging lead while working it
- Not sealing properly after pointing
- Attempting lead replacement without training
💡 Pro trick: When re-pointing flashing, use a slightly weaker mortar mix than the bricks. If there's any movement (and there always is), you want the mortar to crack, not the bricks or the lead. The mortar is sacrificial and easy to replace.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏠 Old house with step flashing? Victorian/Edwardian chimneys often have stepped lead flashing that follows the roof line. More complex to fit than straight flashing, but I see them all the time in Exeter. Same principles, just more pieces.
Valley flashing too? Valleys where two roof slopes meet also use lead flashing. If that's failing, it's a bigger job than chimney flashing - I'll let you know what's involved and whether specialist lead roofing is needed.
Lead theft risk? Unfortunately, lead theft is a thing. Church roofs get targeted especially. For vulnerable properties, there are lead-free alternatives that look the same but aren't worth stealing. I'll advise if that's a concern for your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lead flashing and why does it leak?
It's the lead sheet that seals the joint between your chimney (or wall) and the roof. It fails when the mortar it's tucked into crumbles, when it cracks from movement, or when it wasn't fitted properly to begin with. Common problem on older houses.
Can you repair lead flashing or does it need replacing?
Depends on the damage. If the lead itself is sound but just pulled out of the mortar, I can re-dress and re-point it. If the lead's split or badly corroded, replacement is better. I'll assess and advise honestly.
Why is lead better than other flashing materials?
Lead lasts decades, it's flexible so it moves with the building, and it's workable - can be dressed into complex shapes. Modern alternatives like lead-free flashings work too, but lead is still the gold standard for older properties.
How long does lead flashing repair take?
Simple re-pointing job might be 2.5-3 hours. Full replacement of chimney flashing could be 4-5 hours. Depends on chimney size and access.
Do you do the lead work yourself?
Yes - basic lead flashing work is part of general roofing repairs. Really complex lead roofs or valley work might need a specialist lead roofer, but chimney flashings and simple joints I handle regularly.
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