Crediton’s valley exposure and cob heritage buildings requiring careful lead-to-masonry detailing. Lead flashings are the most common single point of water ingress on Devon roofs, and the consequences of a failed flashing — damp penetration to the roof structure, ceiling and internal walls — are expensive to remedy. We carry out all lead work across Crediton with breathable joint compound on cob and lime masonry junctions. Call 01392 759 295.
Lead fails through thermal fatigue. It expands in summer heat and contracts in winter cold, and over time the metal cracks at folds, drips and stress points. In Crediton’s climate, this cycling is significant — and on the most exposed properties, the service life of original lead is shorter than elsewhere. We carry out a full lead condition assessment on every Crediton survey: step flashings, apron flashings, back gutters, valleys and parapet gutters are all inspected, not just the point of the presenting leak.
We specify lead by code for each application: code 4 for step and cover flashings, code 5 for valleys and parapet gutters where water stands. Under-specification of lead is one of the most common causes of premature flashing failure on Crediton properties — and one of the most frequently seen errors when we take over from a previous contractor. We dress all lead correctly and solder joints where standing water is present.
Cob buildings in and around Crediton present specific lead work challenges at the roof-to-wall junction. The wall surface of a cob building is not uniform — it has minor undulations and irregularities that a standard stepped flashing cannot follow closely. We use hand-bossed lead on cob wall abutments in Crediton, forming the flashing to the actual wall surface rather than cutting to a standard profile. The result is a watertight junction that accommodates the wall’s natural irregularity without forcing the lead into stress concentrations that would crack within a few years.
Crediton’s valley exposure creates higher wind loading on lead flashings than sheltered sites. Step flashings on exposed west and north-facing chimney stacks in Crediton must be fixed with appropriate lead clips rather than mortar tuck alone — mortar fails under sustained wind loading on exposed Crediton chimneys, and the fixing must be mechanical. We use lead clips with stainless screws on all exposed Crediton chimney step flashings, with mortar tuck as a secondary weatherproofing measure rather than the primary fixing method.
Every Crediton lead work survey covers the full installation rather than just the presenting failure. The most common pattern we encounter in Crediton is a chimney back gutter that has failed while the step flashings appear intact from below. The back gutter is the lowest point of the chimney lead installation and the most prone to standing water in Devon’s wet winters. We inspect back gutter condition on every Crediton chimney survey by probing the gutter depth and checking the lead thickness at the base — thinning from erosion is the early indicator of imminent failure.
Free survey and itemised quote — no call-out fee, no obligation.
📞 Call 01392 759 295“Lead flashing replacement on our chimney stack. Full replacement, not a patch job. No more damp in the bedroom.”
“Valley lead replaced on our Victorian property. Code 5 lead specified correctly. Clean job and no mess left.”
“Back gutter lead on our dormer replaced. They found secondary failure points during the survey. Good thorough approach.”
Step and cover flashing replacement from £350–£700. Valley lead from £500–£1,200 depending on length. Free survey. Call 01392 759 295.
Thermal fatigue — expansion and contraction cycles crack the metal at folds and stress points. Crediton’s valley exposure accelerates this process on exposed properties.
Small cracks on otherwise sound lead can be sealed. If the lead is heavily fatigued with multiple failure points, full replacement gives a better long-term result. We advise honestly at the survey stage.
Code 4 for step and cover flashings. Code 5 for valleys, parapet gutters and any application where water stands. Under-specification is a common cause of premature failure.
Yes — on all joints where water could stand. Soldered joints are standard practice on valleys and back gutters.
A chimney lead replacement takes a full day. Valley replacement may take 1–2 days depending on length.
Yes — 10-year workmanship guarantee on all lead installations. Call 01392 759 295.
No call-out fee. No obligation. A local roofer who turns up when they say they will.
01392 759 295