Roof Leadwork in Bracknell, Dressed to Stay Watertight

Chimney back gutters

On the up-slope side of a chimney, a back gutter collects water and diverts it around the stack. It's a critical detail that is often poorly made.

Bays, porches and dormers

Small pitched roofs over bay windows, porches and dormers often have lead coverings or lead cheeks. They take a lot of weather and benefit from properly dressed lead.

Signs your leadwork has failed

Look for damp patches where a roof meets a wall or chimney, staining down internal walls, lead that has lifted away from the brickwork, missing mortar where the lead is chased in, visible splits in valleys and green or white streaks on the lead surface. In the loft, damp timbers alongside a chimney or along a valley line are strong indicators.

Lead faults are often missed by non-specialists who focus on tiles. A proper inspection looks at every junction.

Lead thickness and code

Lead sheet is graded by code, which relates to its thickness. Thinner codes suit flashings and soakers; thicker codes are used for valleys, gutters and coverings that take more water and foot traffic. Using the correct code, and the right piece lengths, prevents splitting and gives decades of service.

Lead and slate roofs

Slate roofs rely heavily on lead soakers and flashings at abutments and chimneys, and on lead valleys. When re-slating or repairing slate around junctions, the lead is often renewed at the same time. Scott carries out both the slating and the leadwork himself, so the two are fitted to work together.

Lead theft and alternatives

Lead is occasionally stolen from roofs, particularly from bays, porches and lower valleys. If lead has gone missing, the roof should be made watertight quickly to prevent water damage. Replacement lead can be fitted and secured to the same standard as the original. Scott will discuss options with you and confirm everything in a fixed price before work begins.

After any theft, photograph the area and report it to your insurer and the police.

What a leadwork inspection covers

During a free inspection, Scott checks every junction on the roof: chimney aprons, step flashings and back gutters, abutment flashings where the roof meets walls, soakers, valleys, and lead on bays, porches and dormers. He'll also look in the loft for damp around these areas. You'll be shown what's sound, what's failing and what it will cost to fix, at a fixed price, with no pressure.

Choosing a Roofer for Leadwork in Bracknell

Whoever you choose for leadwork, ask four questions before you agree to anything: who will actually do the work, is the price fixed or a day rate, what guarantee is offered, and is the roofer insured. The answers tell you more than any advert.

With SLW Roofing, Scott Workman is on every job himself. He started roofing at 14 and has 25 years' experience on the roofs of Berkshire and Surrey. The person who inspects your roof is the person responsible for fixing it, so nothing is lost between a salesman's promise and the work on your roof.

Every quote is free and every price is fixed. Once you've agreed it, it doesn't change because a job took longer than expected. If something unexpected is found, such as rotten timber hidden under tiles, you'll be shown it and asked before any extra work goes ahead.

All work comes with a 10-year guarantee. SLW Roofing holds £1 million public liability insurance and Scott is CSCS registered, a recognised site safety credential. Emergency repairs are available 7 days a week, and standard hours run Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.

SLW Roofing is based in Bracknell and covers homes up to 30 miles away, including Wokingham, Ascot, Sandhurst, Crowthorne, Camberley, Reading, Windsor, Maidenhead, Slough, Staines-upon-Thames, Woking, Guildford and Farnham. Wherever you are in that area, you get the same owner-led service, the same fixed pricing and the same guarantee.