HOW TO FIT NEW LEAD ROOF
HOW TO FIT A NEW LEAD ROOF
NEW LEAD BAY ROOF
A very hard roof to better, lead roofs have been around for hundreds of years with very little need for change. If laid correctly and the correct Code (thickness) it is not uncommon for a lead roof to see 50 – 100 years without replacement. A new lead roof finished with Patination oil is a timeless classic, unfortunately these days they are prone to being stolen for scrap if easily accessible from the floor.
LEAD CODE EXPLAINED
Lead code is a way of combining thickness and weight, very handy to know if you’re thinking about lifting it off your van and onto a roof. Lead for the purpose fitting to a roof or bay window really starts at Code 4 in theory, if the roof is small enough you could use Code 3 but this would normally be classed as a flashing lead i.e. small over flashings or leak soakers. As a rule of thumb the larger the size of the roof the thicker the lead needs to be to avoid premature failure due to fatigue cracks.
Lead codes chart – Here is a simple chart of milled lead sheet, lead code, lead weight and thickness.
HOW THICK SHOULD MY LEAD BE?
The thickness of the sheet lead your working with is based upon a width to the length ratio.
Its always best to do your own research when having any works done as to what is required and is it in the price.
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Roofers in Devon s s roofing specialists Are fully trained and licensed to work with Lead correctly and it shows in the works. from bespoke peaces to full scale re roofing.
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LEAD MOPSTICKS
Used to join lead together into smaller pieces, reduce expansion and contraction issues, create up-stands and troughs, provide fixing points and decorative interest.
A mop stick – The mopstick is a piece of round wood like a fat broom handle with one flat edge to fit face down onto the roof, the purpose of which is to separate one section of lead from another whilst providing an up stand.
Separator – Used to separate two sections of roof, a mopstick also allows you something to fix nails into and fold the other cloaking piece of lead over the top to conceal the fixings. Notice the 450 to 60o angle cut on the edge of the mopstick to provide a pleasing look and make lead dressing easier.
Mopstick done – An example of mopsticks being used over a Dormer roof. Mopstick details are used in roofing for bay windows also.
Other systems such as hollow roles & welting are common in practice when carrying out pitched roofing works depending on the span and exposure.
For example for . swept porch roof then a welting system is preferred over a hollow or mobstick role as the shape of the roof would cause great difficulty in achieving the shape. although on bel towers and listed properties this is a must feature to keep. additional time will be required when working with the material.
Final finish – This is all that is visible on the exterior of the roof. The lead apron flashing is chased into the brickwork underneath the render to finish, and onto the upstand of the lead bay roof.
HOW LONG SHOULD MY LEAD FLASHINGS BE ?
See my guide on how to fit apron flashings like these in the page links below…
Flashing – If you need to install lead cover flashing either into the brickwork above a bay, or underneath the roof against a fascia, do not use a continuous length. When fitting lead flashings I tend to use about 1 metre or 3 feet lengths to allow for expansion and contraction up to a maximum of 1.200 metres then overlap any joints by 100-150mm minimum (4″)
