Leadwork in Edinburgh Flashings, Valleys & Dormers
Most roof leaks start at a joint, not in the middle of a slope. Robert dresses lead so it sheds water away from every chimney, wall and valley, and keeps doing so for years rather than one season.
22 years' experience · Fully insured · Workmanship guaranteed
- 22 Years' Experience
- Fully Insured
- Fixed-Price Quotes
- Workmanship Guaranteed
- Owner-Operated
Leadwork
What leadwork does on your roof
What it is
Leadwork is the waterproofing at the junctions of a roof: where it meets a chimney, a wall, a dormer, a roof window or another slope. Lead is used for flashings, soakers, valleys, gutters, dormer cheeks and tops, bay roofs and chimney aprons. It is shaped by hand and fixed so it can move with heat without splitting.
Who it's for
Leadwork is relevant to almost every pitched roof in Edinburgh, and particularly to period properties with chimneys, dormers, bay windows, parapet gutters and valleys. Tenements with shared chimney stacks and villas with complex roof shapes rely heavily on lead.
When you need it
Look for leadwork attention when you see damp around a chimney breast, stains where a roof meets a wall, water in a valley that should be dry, lead that has lifted, split or been covered with mortar or sealant, or after storms that have loosened flashings.
Why experience matters
Lead is only as good as the way it is worked. Pieces that are too long split under thermal movement; poorly chased flashings pull out of the wall; wrong laps let water in. Correct leadwork follows established methods and comes from practice. Robert has been dressing lead on Edinburgh roofs for 22 years.
Recent leadwork work
The cost of waiting
What failing leadwork costs you
Lead failures tend to cause leaks in awkward places: around chimney breasts, down internal walls, and over bay windows. Because the water enters at a junction, it often travels before it appears, and the damage can be significant by the time it is noticed.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Covering split lead with mortar, bitumen or sealant, which cracks and traps water.
- Using lengths of lead that are too long, which crack from thermal movement.
- Fitting flashings without chasing them properly into the brickwork.
- Replacing lead with cheaper alternatives without considering durability or appearance.
- Ignoring a damp chimney breast until plaster is falling.
Damp chimney breasts
Failed chimney flashings let water into brickwork and down the chimney breast, staining walls and damaging plaster in rooms below.
Rotting valley boards
A split or blocked valley channels water directly onto the timber beneath, which softens and rots, eventually needing replacement.
Wall and ceiling damage
Water getting behind abutment flashings runs down inside walls and into ceilings, often far from the original fault.
Theft and storm loss
Loose or poorly fixed lead is easier for wind to lift and can be targeted by thieves, leaving joints open to the weather.
How Robert works
A clear process, from first look to finished roof
- 1
Inspection
Robert checks the lead, the joints it protects and any signs of water getting in, inside and out.
- 2
Diagnosis
He identifies whether the lead can be re-dressed and refixed, or whether sections need replacing.
- 3
Fixed-price quote
You get a clear price for the agreed leadwork before any work starts.
- 4
Leadwork
Lead is cut, shaped and fixed with correct lengths, laps and fixings, chased and pointed into masonry where required.
- 5
Check and guarantee
Junctions are checked, surrounding slates or tiles made good, and the work is covered by Robert's workmanship guarantee.
What you get
The result of doing it properly
Dry chimney breasts and walls
Correctly dressed flashings stop water at the junction, protecting plaster and decoration inside.
Long service life
Properly worked lead can last for many decades, far longer than sealant or mortar fillets.
Handles Edinburgh wind
Secure fixings and correct laps resist wind lift and driving rain.
Neat, traditional finish
Hand-dressed lead suits period Edinburgh properties and looks right on chimneys, dormers and bays.
Fixed-price clarity
The price is agreed before work starts, with no surprises once the lead is opened up.
Slating and lead by the same hands
Robert handles the surrounding slates or tiles too, so the whole junction is finished to the same standard.
In detail
Types of leadwork on Edinburgh roofs
Leadwork covers a wide range of details. Each has its own method, and getting any one of them wrong is enough to cause a leak.
Chimney flashings
A chimney needs an apron at the front, stepped flashings and soakers on the sides, and a back gutter behind. Each piece is chased into the mortar joints and laps over the next so water is always directed outwards. Chimney leadwork is often done alongside repointing and other chimney work.
Valleys
Where two slopes meet, a lead valley carries a large volume of water. Valleys must be laid in suitable lengths with proper laps, on sound boards, and kept clear of debris. Replacing a failed valley often solves leaks that have persisted for years.
Where roofs meet walls and gables
Where a roof meets a higher wall, stepped or cover flashings protect the joint. On Scottish roofs, skews and gable details also rely on lead to keep water out of the wallhead.
Dormers, bays and roof windows
Dormer cheeks, dormer tops and bay window roofs are often fully clad in lead. Roof windows such as Velux units need flashings that integrate with the slate or tile. Robert supplies and fits Velux roof windows as well as maintaining the leadwork around them.
Lead gutters and flat details
Parapet and box gutters on older buildings are often lined with lead. These need correct falls and drips to move water away, and are a common source of hidden leaks when they fail.
Leadwork across Edinburgh and its neighbourhoods
Edinburgh's housing stock changes street by street. Tenements and terraces in Leith and Stockbridge, Victorian and Edwardian villas in Morningside and Colinton, seafront homes in Portobello exposed to salt air, and post-war and modern housing in Corstorphine, Liberton and South Queensferry all present different challenges. Robert has worked across all of them over 22 years, so he knows how roofs in each part of the city were built and how they tend to wear.
Wherever you are in Edinburgh, the approach to leadwork is the same. Robert looks at the job himself, explains what he has found in plain language, and gives you a clear, fixed-price quote so you know exactly what you are paying before any work starts. R Galloway Roofing Services is owner-operated and fully insured with public liability and employer's liability cover, and the workmanship is guaranteed. You deal with one person from the first phone call to the finished job.
To arrange a visit, call Robert on 07756 375223 (Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm) or send a request using the form below. You can also read more about Robert or return to the homepage.
Straight answers
Leadwork: questions answered
Something not covered here? Contact Robert or call directly.
Ask Robert: 07756 375223How much does leadwork cost?
It depends on the detail, the amount of lead and access. Robert gives a fixed-price quote after inspecting the roof.
How long does leadwork last?
Properly worked lead can last for many decades. Poor methods, like overlong pieces or sealant repairs, shorten its life considerably.
Can you fix a leak around my chimney?
Yes. Chimney flashings are one of the most common causes of leaks, and Robert can repair or replace them along with any related chimney work.
How long does leadwork take?
Many flashing repairs are completed in a visit. Valleys and dormers take longer. Robert will give you a timeline with the quote.
Is leadwork guaranteed?
Yes. Workmanship is guaranteed. Robert will explain what applies when he quotes.
My lead was repaired with sealant. Is that a problem?
Sealant repairs usually fail within a few seasons and can trap water. Robert can assess whether the lead can be re-dressed or needs replacing.
Do you do emergency leadwork repairs?
For storm damage or an active leak, call Robert on 07756 375223 for emergency roof repairs across Edinburgh.
Do you cover my area?
Robert covers Edinburgh including Leith, Portobello, Morningside, Corstorphine, Stockbridge, Colinton, Liberton and South Queensferry.
Seal the joints where leaks begin
Tell Robert where you are seeing damp. He will check the leadwork and give you a fixed price to put it right. Fully insured, workmanship guaranteed.
Request a quote
Get a clear, fixed price
for your roof
Tell Robert what's going on with your roof. He'll come back to you personally to arrange a look and give you a fixed price.
07756 375223Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm