Lead Work
Lead Work & Flashingsin Colne & Across Lancashire,Dressed to Last.
Seal the joins where most roof leaks start, around chimneys, walls, valleys and windows, with lead work done by hand from 25 years' experience.
- 25 years' experience
- 5.0 Google rating
- £5m public liability
- Checkatrade member
- 24/7 emergency callouts
The service
Why lead work matters on every roof
Lead work covers the flashings, soakers, valleys, aprons and coverings that seal the joins on a roof, where a roof meets a chimney, a wall, a roof window or another roof slope. Lead is used because it's durable, malleable and can be shaped by hand to fit almost any detail.
You need it when flashings have cracked, slipped or been stolen, when mortar fillets around a chimney have failed, when a valley is leaking, or as part of any re-roof. Bay windows, porches and dormers often have lead coverings too.
Lead work is a skill. It has to be cut to the right size and code (thickness), fixed so it can expand and contract, and dressed tight to the roof without splitting. Our lead work is based on Brendan's own hands-on experience over 25 years.
Why it matters
What happens when flashings fail
The junctions on a roof are its weakest points. When lead cracks or pulls away, rain runs straight down the wall or chimney and into the roof space. The first sign is often damp on a chimney breast or a stain at the top of a wall inside.
Water from a failed flashing can travel along rafters and soak plaster, insulation and timbers. Chimney stacks in particular can let large amounts of water in once the lead fails.
Many older roofs had flashings replaced with mortar or cheap alternatives that crack within a few years.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Replacing lead flashings with mortar fillets.
- Using sheets of lead that are too long, which split as they expand and contract.
- Sealing over cracked lead with mastic instead of replacing it.
- Ignoring damp on a chimney breast until plaster is ruined.
Our process
How we handle your lead work
- 01
Inspection
We inspect every junction and take photos so you can see the condition of your flashings and valleys.
- 02
Quote
A clear quote for the exact lead work needed.
- 03
Remove failed work
Old lead, mortar fillets or failed sealants are removed back to sound material.
- 04
Cut and dress new lead
New lead is cut to size, fixed into the masonry and dressed by hand to the roof.
- 05
Final check
Every joint checked and the area cleaned up.
What you get
The benefits, in plain terms
Stops the most common leaks
Junctions are where most roof leaks begin.
Long-lasting material
Correctly fitted lead lasts for decades.
Hand-dressed
Shaped on site to fit your roof's exact details.
Experienced hands
Based on 25 years of hands-on lead work.
Part of every re-roof
New lead is fitted as standard on our roof replacements where needed.
Fully insured
£5m public liability plus employer's liability.
In detail
Types of lead work we carry out
Note: our lead work is based on hands-on experience rather than a specific lead association accreditation.
Chimney flashings
Chimneys need a front apron, stepped side flashings and a back gutter, each cut into the mortar joints and dressed to the roof. We replace these as a set so the whole stack is sealed.
Valleys
Where two roof slopes meet, a lead-lined valley carries a lot of water. Old valleys often split or become blocked with debris. Replacing them is a common part of our work.
Abutments and soakers
Where a roof meets a wall, step flashings and soakers keep water out. These are common on extensions, terraced houses and dormers.
Bay windows, porches and dormers
Small roofs over bays, porches and dormer cheeks are often clad in lead. We can re-cover these or replace them as part of a wider roofing job.
Why lead code and sizing matter
Lead is graded by thickness, known as its code. Thinner codes are used for flashings, thicker codes for areas that carry more water or foot traffic, such as valleys and flat lead roofs. Using the wrong code, or lengths of lead that are too long, means the lead can't expand and contract properly with temperature changes, and it eventually cracks. Getting the sizes, laps and fixings right is what makes lead last.
Alternatives to lead
Some homeowners ask about lead alternatives, often because of theft concerns. There are synthetic products available for some applications. They can be useful in the right place, but they don't shape as well around complex details. We'll tell you honestly where lead is the better choice and where an alternative might work.
Lead work as part of a re-roof
When we replace a roof, the lead is assessed along with everything else. Old flashings that have been patched with mastic, valleys that have split, and chimney aprons that no longer sit tight are replaced so the new roof isn't let down by its weakest points. Lead work carried out as part of a full roof replacement is covered by the 10-year insurance-backed guarantee on that roof, which gives you protection across the whole job rather than just the tiles.
Spotting failed lead from the ground
Some signs of failing lead can be seen without going up a ladder: lead that has lifted away from a chimney or wall, visible cracks or splits, missing pieces after a storm, or dark streaks running down brickwork below a flashing. Inside, damp on a chimney breast or at the top of a wall where it meets the roof is often the first clue. If you notice any of these, an inspection will confirm what's happening.
Working with Vertex
What it's like to work with us
Vertex Roofing Group is a roofing company based at Emmott Court in Colne. Brendan O'Hanlon founded the business in 2017 after years on the tools, and today a team of six carries out every lead work job we take on. You deal with the people doing the work, not a call centre.
Every job starts with a proper inspection. You get a written quote based on what we've actually seen, and if something unexpected turns up once work begins, we show you photographs and agree it with you before anything changes.
Staged payments on larger jobs
On larger projects such as roof replacements, you pay in four 25% stages: to book, when materials and scaffolding arrive, at the halfway point, and on completion and sign-off. You never pay too far ahead of the work.
Insured and reviewed
We hold £5 million public liability insurance and employer's liability cover, we're a Checkatrade member, and we're rated 5.0 on Google by customers across Lancashire and Yorkshire.
How much does lead flashing replacement cost?
It depends on the amount of lead and access. We inspect and give you an accurate written quote.
How long does lead work last?
Correctly fitted lead can last for decades. Problems usually come from poor fitting rather than the material.
Are you lead-accredited?
Our lead work is based on Brendan's 25 years of hands-on experience rather than a specific accreditation.
Is lead work guaranteed?
When lead work is part of a full roof replacement, it's covered by the 10-year insurance-backed guarantee. Standalone repairs are not covered by that guarantee.
My chimney breast is damp. Is it the lead?
Often, yes, failed flashings are a common cause. We'll inspect and confirm.
Can you replace stolen lead?
Yes. We can replace it and talk you through options.
How long does it take?
Most flashing replacements are completed within a day, weather permitting.
Do you cover my area?
We cover Lancashire and Yorkshire, plus Kendal and the Lake District.
Can you repair lead rather than replace it?
Small splits can sometimes be repaired, but cracked or badly fitted lead usually needs replacing to give a lasting result. We'll tell you which applies after inspecting.
Do you fit lead valleys?
Yes. Lead valleys are a common part of our work, both as standalone repairs and as part of a full re-roof.
Related services
Seal the joins where leaks begin.
Book an inspection and we'll show you exactly what your flashings and valleys need.
Your next step is simple. Request an estimate or call us, and we'll arrange a time to inspect your roof. You'll see what we find, get an honest recommendation on your lead work, and receive an accurate written quote. There's no obligation and no pressure: just clear information from a local team based in Colne who cover Lancashire, Yorkshire, Kendal and the Lake District.
£5m insured · Staged payments · 5.0 on Google