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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Building Questions >> Lead Flashing https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1083944853 Message started by James on May 7^th, 2004, 4:47pm

Title: Lead Flashing
Post by James on May 7^th, 2004, 4:47pm

Can anyone advise on the best way to patch up lead flashing? (used to form valleys/gullys on old house).
Existing flashing is holed due to wear and tear from the elements.

There seem to be a vast array of mastics etc available
- are any of these suitable and which is best?

Cheers

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by HandyMac on May 7^th, 2004, 4:53pm

I had to do a bit of flashing to a conservatory roof recently, and never having done any before I was a bit dubious.

I went down the local Focus DIY store to have a look around, and found that they sell a roll of bitumen-based tape about 4-5in wide (I think it's bitumen anyway).

Very gooey stuff - wear disposable gloves. You basically mould this stuff into the area where it has to be installed and it forms a nice watertight barrier. No need for mastic, leastways for the job that I was doing.

I would think in your case you could apply a section of this tape over the holey bit and job done (unless it is visible, in which case you might need to do a bit more farting about to make it look pretty).

Costs about �7 for a several metre roll as I remember.

Andrew

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by James on May 7^th, 2004, 5:12pm

Thanks Andrew.

Not concerned about pretty, so sounds interesting.

Would this stick to weathered lead do you think?

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by HandyMac on May 7^th, 2004, 5:21pm

Judging by my very limited experience it'll stick to just about anything.

I suggest you go to your local DIY store and buy a small roll of this stuff. Give it a try - you'll soon find out whether it's up to the job or not.

Actually after a couple of minutes getting used to it I found it quite easy to use. You need a pair of sharp scissors (large wallpaper scissors are ideal) to cut it up with, I suggest buying a cheap pair which you can throw away afterwards rather than borrow your wife's needlework scissors!

Nothing complicated with it at all - but bear in mind it is a messy substance which you won't want to drop on your lounge carpet.

I think you can buy a can of bitumen paint as well, so you can slop this on over the join to make it really watertight (not that you will need to).

Andrew

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by thescruff on May 7^th, 2004, 5:22pm

Flashband; is an aluminium back mastis whidh will stick to lead.

Denso tape is a cloth based mastic very sticky and messy but good.

Both will only offer a relatively short life 3-4 years, before it need redoing.

If the lead is accessable slide a full width piece underneth with lap joints, want more info on application.

scruff

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by James on May 7^th, 2004, 5:23pm

Would that product be similar to this Screwfix one:

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?ts=46886&id=10020

(product code 10020)

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by thescruff on May 7^th, 2004, 6:28pm

Yep;

Not Flashband but similar stuff.

Wire brush any surface grime etc first.

And make sure its very dry before use.

scruf

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by Windy Miller on May 7^th, 2004, 11:19pm

James - Go for the Flashband type stuff. Get the surface clean and dry, and then stick it on. Warm (soften) the Flashband GENTLY with a blowlamp (don't want to melt the lead!), and lightly run over it with a wallpaper edge roller.

Job done.

Windy

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by ROBBO on May 8^th, 2004, 8:54pm

Flashband is a usefull quick fix, but as scruff says will not last long before it peels away.
On valleys strip the slates or tiles back from the top of valley down if poss without breaking them and number each slate, do this on one side only.
you can then cut 1.5 mtr lengths of code 4 and wangle one side (the tiled side) up below the slates a couple of inches leaving the original weathered lead in place, repeat this to the top of valley and simply reinstate your numbered slates or tilest o the other side of valley, job done.
The big lead suppliers is it caleder? (plumbers will know) do a free brochure on fixing lead flashings and valleys etc

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by greg on May 8^th, 2004, 10:21pm

Calder - yep they do a leaflet usually available from wherever its stocked

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by Oggie on May 9^th, 2004, 1:55am

Dont patch it replace it and ask Question again in 30 years ;)

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by HandyMac on May 9^th, 2004, 10:10pm

wrote on May 9^th, 2004, 1:55am:

Dont patch it replace it and ask Question again in 30 years �;)

Alternatively, patch it and move home :)

Andrew

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by woodsmith on May 9^th, 2004, 10:24pm

Don't use a blowlamp with Flashband, the aluminium foil which backs the bitumen will melt all too easily.

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by HandyMac on May 9^th, 2004, 10:38pm

I found flashband was quite malleable anyway, so some very gentle heat (hairdryer?) might be all that's required.

I wouldn't have put a flame on it though - the stuff I was doing was alongside the edge of a garage roof which was covered in felt/bitumen. I'd hate for that to have caught fire!

Andrew

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by thescruff on May 9^th, 2004, 10:50pm

I wouldn't put a blowtorch on it either.

scruff

Title: Re: Lead Flashing
Post by James on May 10^th, 2004, 11:19am

Thanks for the many replies - shortterm, longterm, and
witty..

Cheers!