Specialist Leadwork Across North London

Lead is the gold standard for weatherproofing — and getting it right takes real skill. Our experienced team hand-dresses every piece of lead to deliver flashings, valleys, and flat roofing that will protect your home for generations.

Traditional Hand-Dressed Lead

Code 4 & Code 5 Lead Sheet

Period Property Expertise

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Why Lead Remains the Best Choice

Lead has been used on roofs for centuries — and for good reason. It's the most reliable, long-lasting material available for weatherproofing the vulnerable junctions and details on any roof. Where tiles and slates meet walls, chimneys, dormers, and other structures, it's lead that keeps the water out.

On London's older properties, lead is everywhere — chimney flashings, valley linings, box gutters, dormers, and bay window roofs. When this leadwork fails, the result is almost always a leak. And because these are junction points, the water can travel a long way inside the structure before you see it, causing hidden damage to timbers, plaster, and decoration.

MJM Roofing's team are experienced lead workers who understand this traditional craft. We use sand-cast and milled lead sheet in the correct code (weight) for each application, hand-dress every piece on site, and follow the Lead Sheet Association's best-practice guidelines to ensure every installation performs for decades.

Chimney flashings — stepped, cover, back gutter, and apron
Valley linings and secret gutters
Box gutter relining and overflow repairs
Flat lead roofing for dormers, bays, and porches
Abutment flashings where roofs meet walls
Patch repairs and lead welding on existing leadwork

Leadwork Services

What We Do With Lead

From a single flashing repair to a complete dormer re-lead, we handle every type of leadwork you'll find on a London property.

Chimney Flashings

We strip old mortar or lead flashings and install new code 4 lead — hand-dressed on site and properly chased into brickwork with lead wedges. Stepped, cover, back gutter, and apron flashings.

Lead Valleys

Valleys channel large volumes of water between roof slopes. We line them with properly lapped code 4 or code 5 lead sheet, ensuring smooth water flow and a long, leak-free life.

Box Gutters

Many North London terraces have hidden box gutters behind parapets. We reline them with code 5 lead, ensuring proper falls and overflow capacity to prevent the catastrophic leaks that failed box gutters cause.

Flat Lead Roofing

For dormers, bay windows, and porch canopies, a traditional lead flat roof is the premium solution. We install code 5 or code 6 lead on proper boarding with expansion joints that allow the lead to move naturally.

Abutment Flashings

Where a roof meets a wall — on extensions, lean-tos, and neighbouring properties — we install stepped or raked flashings that keep the junction completely watertight for decades.

Lead Repairs & Patching

Not all leadwork needs full replacement. We repair splits, patch holes, re-dress lifted sections, and re-seal lead that has pulled away from chase lines — extending the life of your existing leadwork.

Our Approach

How We Work With Lead

Proper leadwork is a craft. Here's how we ensure every installation is done right.

Assessment

We inspect the existing leadwork, identify all failure points, and determine whether repair or replacement is the right approach. You receive a clear, written quote.

Preparation

We carefully remove the old lead and inspect the underlying timber or masonry. Any rot or damage is repaired before new lead goes down — there's no point laying lead on a poor substrate.

Installation

New lead sheet is cut, bossed, and dressed by hand on site. We follow Lead Sheet Association guidelines for joint spacing, fixing, and allowance for thermal expansion.

Finishing

All flashings are properly chased into masonry and sealed. Lead is dressed tight to every detail. We apply patination oil to new lead where required, and leave the site clean and tidy.

Our Work

Recent Leadwork Projects

Examples of traditional leadwork completed across North London.

New stepped lead flashing on Victorian chimney

Lead valley relining on period terraced house

Chimney back gutter in hand-dressed lead

Lead abutment flashing on extension roof

Detail of lead welded repair on existing roof

Common Questions

Leadwork FAQs

How long does lead flashing last?

Properly installed lead flashing typically lasts 50–100 years. It's one of the most durable roofing materials available. Failures usually occur not because the lead itself wears out, but because it was incorrectly installed — often with joints that are too long, insufficient allowance for thermal expansion, or poor fixing into the masonry.

Is lead safe to use on a roof?

Yes. Lead sheet for roofing is completely safe when installed and handled by trained professionals. It poses no risk to building occupants. The Lead Sheet Association and the Health and Safety Executive confirm that lead sheet used in construction is safe and remains the recommended material for flashings, valleys, and flat roofing across the UK.

Can you repair lead without replacing it all?

In many cases, yes. If the lead itself is still in good condition but has developed a split, a lifted section, or a small failure at a joint, we can often repair it without full replacement. We can patch, re-dress, lead-weld, or re-seal sections as needed. We'll always recommend the most cost-effective approach.

Why not use a cheaper alternative like flashing tape?

Self-adhesive flashing tapes and liquid flashings are sometimes used as a quick fix, but they're just that — a temporary patch. They typically last 5–10 years at best before degrading, peeling, or cracking. Properly installed lead lasts 50–100 years. On anything other than a very short-term repair, lead is always the better long-term investment.

How much does lead flashing cost?

The cost depends on the type and extent of the work. A straightforward chimney re-flash might start from £350–£500 plus scaffolding. A full valley relining or bay window re-lead will be more. We provide detailed, written quotes for every job so you know exactly what you're paying for before we start.