Bow — E3
Leadwork in Bow
Lead flashings and gutters do much of the quiet work on a Bow roof, sealing the joints where a chimney meets the slope or a roof meets a wall. KC Roofing & Scaffolding repairs and re-dresses leadwork across E3, so these weak points stop being the place where water gets in.
Lead is durable, but it is not permanent. It can split at folds, lift from brickwork where mortar has failed, or crack where movement and frost have bent it. On many Bow houses the lead has been patched with mortar or sealant over the years, and those patches usually fail again within a few seasons. Re-dressing the lead properly is the lasting fix.
Bow's flat-roofed extensions, bay roofs and back additions are full of leadwork junctions, where the roof meets the house wall, at parapets and at outlets. These are often the source of leaks that seem to come from nowhere, because water runs behind the lead before it appears inside.
Lead theft is also a concern in parts of east London. If lead has been taken from your roof, we can apply temporary weatherproofing and then talk through whether lead or a lead alternative suits the site.
Where leadwork goes wrong in Bow
Chimney stacks
Step and cover flashings around a chimney are the most common leadwork repair. We strip the failed lead, prepare the brickwork and fit new lead, lapped and wedged into the joints.
Valleys and box gutters
Valleys and box gutters carry large volumes of water. They need the right lead thickness, proper lapping and room for thermal movement, so they don't split in cold weather.
Dormers and roof edges
Dormer cheeks, apron flashings and edge trims are repaired or replaced, so the roof sheds water away from the walls.
Choosing the right lead
Thickness
The lead code is chosen to suit the position. Exposed flashings and gutters usually need heavier lead than the sheltered parts of the roof, and we specify this for each part of the job.
Repair or renew
Where the lead is still pliable and intact, we re-dress it. Where it is cracked, perished or heavily patched, we renew it, so the repair does not need to be redone.
Leadwork Services in Bow
1992
Est.
£10m
Insured
FMB
Member
CORC
Member
Leadwork in Bow — FAQs
Why does my chimney still leak after it was repointed?
Pointing can't stop water getting behind a failed lead flashing. The lead has to be re-dressed, and sometimes the pointing needs making good too. We look at both when we inspect it.
How long should lead last?
Lead can last a long time when it is correctly installed and not disturbed by movement. Its life depends on the position, thickness and fixing, which we assess when we inspect.
What is the difference between a lead repair and a full replacement?
A repair re-dresses or patches the lead where it has failed. A replacement renews the lead along a whole run, such as a valley or the full chimney detail. We'll explain which is needed and why.
My lead has been stolen from my Bow property. What now?
Call 07947 455000. We can apply temporary weatherproofing and then talk you through permanent options, including whether lead or a lead alternative makes sense for the site.
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Need a Roofing Quote?
Call or WhatsApp 07947 455000, email info@kccs.co.uk, or use our online enquiry form.
For the quickest assessment, send your postcode, a brief description and photos — including one showing the full property from ground level to the roofline.
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