Lead roof specialists’ tips: repair or renew a lead roof.

Lead is a commonly used material in roofing, and is also responsible for some of the oldest surviving roofs today. It is due to its widespread use, however, that lead roof specialists highly recommend people to keep an eye on their roof, and ensure that procedures for repairing and/or renewing are being followed. If you’re unsure what to look out for, here are a few points:

• Condition of the lead

Older roofs often have this problem, but it is common in newer roofs that have, for example, faced heavy erosion due to wind or rain as well. If the condition of the material is compromised, it is likely that the roof will not last long. Due to this, lead roof specialists recommend seeing a professional as soon as possible about replacing your roof.

• Ripples and splits

Cracks in the roof may be small-scale damage when noticed, but this can lead to bigger problems later on. It is often easy to identify ripples and splits in your lead roof due to leaks and insulation issues. If the problem is caught early, it is possible to avoid replacing the entire roof. In this case, lead roof specialists have found that stripping the broken tiles and re-leading them will solve the problem and avoid the extra cost of putting up a whole new roof.

• Corrosion

Lead roofs are quite resistant to corrosion, and it is rare that this would be a problem in newer buildings. However, in heritage sights and buildings that are due for renovation or upgrades, it is best to examine the lead carefully to ensure no corrosion has taken place. In the instance it has, replacing the roof may be necessary.

• Thermal movement

Fixings that restrict thermal movement are the characteristic of a badly-made roof. Lead roof specialists have found that in this case, the lead will often buckle and snap under the pressure of winds or extreme weather conditions unless this problem is remedied. It is necessary to reaffirm the external fixings of the roof, in this case, to allow appropriate thermal movement.

• Fixings

Worn out fixings may cause tiles to fall, which would not only be inconvenient to the people living in the building, but also to the outside, since falling tiles can cause damage to cars and people walking down the street, etc. In this case, it is often possible to repair the fixings, but if the damage is significant, a new lead roof may be required.

• Other conditions

There are a variety of other factors that could determine whether or not you require a new lead roof. Insulation heating, design issues etc. are just a few of the problems. If you are unsure about how to identify these highlighted points, or if you are simply in need of professional advice, be sure to contact us. As lead roof specialists, among our other domains, we can be sure to answer all your questions and offer reassurances where needed.