Chimney & Lead Work
We carry out chimney repairs, repointing and rebuilds, plus expert lead flashing, soakers and valley work. These are the details that keep water out where roofs are most vulnerable — at chimneys, valleys and abutments. Because lead is a skilled trade, we form and dress it the traditional way so it stays watertight for decades.
Where Roofs Really Leak
Most roof leaks don't start in the middle of the tiles — they start at the junctions. Chimneys, valleys and the points where a roof meets a wall are where water finds its way in. It's the lead flashing and pointing at these spots that does the hard work of keeping it out, so when lead fails, leaks usually follow quickly.
Lead work is a skilled trade. Formed and dressed correctly, it lasts for decades; done poorly, it fails within a year or two. For example, a soaker cut too short or a flashing not properly wedged into the joint will let water track straight through. Because we've been doing it the traditional way for generations, your chimney and flashing details are watertight and built to last.
A leaning or spalling chimney stack is often the first sign that pointing has failed and moisture has got into the brickwork, so we always inspect the stack itself, not just the flashing around it. Older Hertfordshire chimneys, in particular, tend to need repointing every few decades as the original lime mortar wears. Since we assess the whole chimney on every visit, you get one honest quote covering brickwork, flaunching and lead together, rather than a series of separate call-outs.