How to Install Lead Roof Flashing: A 2024 Guide

Lead roof flashing is used to make a weatherproof and durable seal, this is how they protect your roof; every drop of rainwater falling on the lead flashing roll gets diverted to the gutters. Roofing flashings like scalloped lead can add some decorative flare to any architectural feature.

What is lead roof flashing?

Lead flashings are critical part of the roof that helps to stop water getting to the inner structure of the building through the joints. Flashings are usually constructed from lead sheets and the thickness of the lead depends on the location where they’re to be installed and normal climatic conditions of the region. Lead substitute flashings are also available on the market.

Purpose of lead flashing:

To put it simply, lead flashing is used to prevent water from entering the structure. Lead flashings are still the industry standard, while materials engineered to resemble its look and functionality are available as substitutes.

For centuries, lead flashing has been in use. Without it, there’s a good chance that the roof would start to leak in vulnerable places, which might seriously harm the building’s structural integrity. Repairing the damage caused by leaks in roofs lacking or obstructed flashings may be extremely expensive, significantly more than buying a roll of lead flashing.

Types of roof flashing:

The types of flashings include:

• Roof flashing
• Roof penetration flashing
• Through wall flashing
• Cap flashing (drip cap)
• Drip edge
• Counter flashing
• Pipe flashing
• Chimney flashing
• Step flashing (soaker)
• Channel flashing
• Wall flashing
• Kick out flashing
• Valley flashing
• Sill flashing

The primary intent of flashing, wherever it is put, is to divert water away from the building structure. Water can enter a structure straight via improperly built flashings, which is worse than having no flashing at all. Therefore, it is crucial that the right material be selected and that it be installed by a qualified professional.

Pros And Cons of Using Lead Flashing:

Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing lead sheeting for roofing. Find out why it has been used for a long time,  pros, and cons of lead roof flashing that will help you make up your mind about it before it is too late in making the right choice for your house.

Pros

1. Lead Flashing Does Not Pose Any Harm on Your Roof

Although lead is highly toxic, placing the lead on the roof of your home is perfectly alright. One cannot even breathe the fumes of lead or touch the lead flashing in this structure. Lead flashing is hence not a hazardous material to place on your home as many people may be led to believe.

2. Durable Material

Lead roof flashings are very long lasting and can potentially last for many, many years. It becomes larger when hot and becomes shrunk when cold, this makes the possibility of lead flashings to crack to be minimal.

3. Flexible Moulding

Lead flashings are mailable, thus easily taken to any shape that one desires. In this regard, it common to find lead roof flashings especially in areas such as chimneys or corner space. Lead flashing will neatly follow the shape of the roof thereby excluding the rain.

4. Weatherproofing

Lead flashing is impervious to rust hence, the best material for waterproofing your home. You can assure yourself that the rainwater will not infiltrate the house and lead to leakage and, consequently, water stains formation.

5. Insulating

Lead flashings are also very good as insulators, where heat is not allowed to come into your house or regulate its passage.

Cons

Toxic Lead

Lead is so poisonous and If you inhale the smoke, the repercussions are very dangerous to your health. Further, lead can affect your eyes and your skin, specifically that lead can cause irritation to your eyes.

Water Poisoning

Water that gets into contact with the lead flashing may containing lead; this will contaminate the water. No case of water run-off that can be a source of drinking to either man or animals as this may lead to some form of poisoning. However, guarantee that water run-off from lead flashing is channeled to the drains without any stoppage.

Weight Issues

Lead flashing for roofs is classified as heavy-gauge component. Depending on your location you may want to ensure that any tiles and gutters that the lead flashing will rest on are well fixed and capable of holding the lead flashing in place. Another thing worth posturing is that it is possible to have lead flashing exposed and this normally makes it have a worsened appearance.

Supply Problems

This is so because the supply of lead is low for the simple reason of its use for many years. On that note, lead flashing is a material that is quite resourceful when in high demand; thus, it may attract a premium price.

High Price to Pay

Due to this, there is low supply of lead that is used in the manufacture of lead flashing roll hence making their prices very competitive in the building industry. Specifically, when it comes to high quality lead concerns, length is taken into consideration. It is advisable that other than the expected charges for roofing lead flashing, you may be called upon to cater for expenses more than you had planned for.

Lead flashing for flat roof

Does a flat roof needs lead flashing?

Yes! lead flashing for flat roof is one of the integral features of flat roofing systems; it’s a long-lasting, easy to fashion solution for joint and intersection seals against water penetration. It is versatile to create a good seal around the chimney, vents, or other parts of a home that require protection from any leak. However, the use of lead is cherished since it is durable and resistant to several types of weathers.

Flat flash roofing details:

Lead flashing for flat roof is a vital component of flat roofing systems and it has the primary step of protecting the most sensitive areas of the roof against water penetration. It is used to cover joints and intersections for instance, where the roof adjoins walls, chimneys, skylights, and vents. The fact that lead can be easily formed make it possible for it to be shaped into these areas perfectly to form a tight seal against thermal movement and weathering.

A key advantage of lead flashing is that it is very long-wearing. Lead lasts over 100 y when installed and maintained well, much longer than many modern materials. It is also immune to corrosion and UV light and therefore quite suitable for exposed roof sections. Also, lead can be recycled, making it even more environmentally friendly when used in manufacturing.

How Do I Know If I Need to Replace My Roof Flashing?

Roof flashing may corrode, degrade, come loose, and wear over time. A lot of roof leaks are typically caused by damaged or misaligned roof flashing.

The most vulnerable areas of your roof are where water can enter if your roof flashing is compromised. It is imperative that you replace and repair the flashing on your property.

Water damage symptoms are the most common indications of failed roof flashing. A roof leak may be strongly suggested by water stains, paint bubbling, and mould development on the siding or outside walls as a result of water infiltrations. It needs more investigation to determine whether or not there is a flashing issue.

Cost to replace lead roof flashing

Lead roof flashing replacement cost can therefore be relatively expensive depending on some factors such as the size of the roof, the pattern of the roof, the cost of the lead used, and cost of labor among others factors. The overall cost of lead flashing replacement ranges between $300 and $1,500 for the homeowners on average. Specific costs of painting roofing might be cheaper for simple shacks compared with big or complex roofs, which are likely to cause higher costs.

Factors affecting the cost include:

Size of the Area:

However, larger areas or multiple sections of a project that requires flashing will result in the purchase of more material and thus more labor cost as well.

Complexity:

Roof designs with many joints and valleys, chimneys, or skylights will need more effort and maybe cost more than simple roof designs.

Labor Costs:

There is a potential that these can widely differ from one region to another. Large cities or areas often associated with higher living standards commonly have higher labor costs.

Material Quality:

The gauge or thickness of the lead used as well as the actual grade can influence the costs. Superior quality leads will cost more than the lower quality ones.

Accessibility:

Roofs which are located in hard-to-reach places or that may need special equipment to access safely may attract extra cost.

Another important point that must be made is that maintenance and inspections can also help lengthen the life of lead flashing and delay the possibility of having to spend more money and repair considerable water damage.

How to install lead flashing on a pitched roof

Lead flashing is a method of providing a water tight and durable protection around joints of intersecting roofs or around projection that cuts through the roof slopes and to do this, the following procedures are followed: Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Prepare the Area:

Remove debris in areas where lead flashing will be used. Clean the area of the roof of debris, old flashing, and shingles that you think, will no longer be useful.

2. Measure and Cut the Lead Flashing:

May 6th, 2012 – Determine the dimension of the surface that requires to be flashed and proceed with the cutting of the lead sheet of corresponding dimension. If cutting, use a sharp knife, or tin snips for a clean cut. Normally, one should ensure a good amount of seam allowance for a good seal.

3. Install Base Flashing:

• Step Flashing (for chimneys or walls):

Saw pieces of lead to the length required for each course of shingles. Bend each of them, to form an angle of 90 degrees from the corner where a roof meets the Wall or the Chimney.

• Continuous Flashing (for valleys):

Place the lead sheet along the valley, but pull it up slightly on both the left and right side. Fix it with roofing nails and make sure these nails are at least an inch away from the edges to avoid tearing of the material.

• Secure the Flashing:

It is advisable to use roofing nails in this case to fasten the lead flashing. When driving nails fasten them at the upper part of the flashing to be hidden by the subsequent row of shingle. For step flashing each should be nailed to the roof deck and a gap of not less than ¼ inch should be left.

4. Install Counter Flashing:

• Chimneys or Walls:

Lay down counter flashing over the base flashing. Further, make cuts (Reglets) into the mortars of the Jewel of the chimney or wall with the help of the grinder. Place the top edge of the counter flashing into the grooves and then wedge it in with lead wedges or, if needed, mortar.

• Seal the Joints:

It is advisable to use an industrial grade roofing sealant to seal any joints and seams particularly at interfaces of the lead flashing with roof / wall surfaces. This will make the junction waterproof and leaves no chance for leakage to occur.

5. Seal up the Joints:

Utilize a roofing sealant of good quality for filling every joint or seam between lead flashing and roofs or parapets’ surfaces. It guarantees water tightness and no water seepage.

6. Finish it Up:

Replace any shingle that was taken off or destroyed while fixing it. At the eave, cover all flashings with shingles or other types of roof materials to prevent rainwater from entering in.

Installing Lead Flashing on a Tiled Roof

Follow these steps for a successful installation:

1. Prepare the Area:

More specifically, they should sweep and mop the surface of dirt to provide a good contact base before installation.

2. Remove Roof Tiles:

Thoroughly pull out the tiles that are located in the region where the flashing will be placed. Store them safely so that they can be re-used in the future when the need arises.

3. Measure and Cut the Lead Flashing:

Remove an amount of lead flashing corresponding to the dimensions needed and shape the same with a sharp knife or tin snips. Maintain adequate overlapping that should allow the generation of a tight seal when joining the edges of the next piece of fabric.

4. Install Underlay:

Lay roofing felt or underlay at the place where the flashing will be done. This extra barrier assists in averting water from getting into the roof.

5. Secure the Flashing:

Shingle the lead flashing in place and in doing so ensure that you are a least one inch from the edge in order not to tear the flashing. Concerning step flashing, each of the pieces should be fastened before the addition of every subsequent layer of tiles.

6. Seal the Joints:

It is recommended to use a high-quality roofing sealant and this cover all seams and joints where lead flashings will be meeting the roof or walls to prevent leakage.

7. Replace Roof Tiles:

Replace the tiles, make sure that they are placed in right order and fixed with appropriate material over the newly lime flashing.

Quick Guide: How to Repair Lead Roof Flashing?

Discover how you can fix lead roof flashings quickly. Know how to deal with small leaks, replace damaged parts, and create permanent waterproof joints

Step by step guide to repair lead roof flashing:

1. Check and Clean Up:

Search for destruction plus do the cleaning

2. Remove Spoilt Parts:

Any extremely battered flashing must be taken out cautiously.

3. Put Patches on Smaller Surfaces:

Small tears or holes can be repaired using a patch of lead or caulk material.

4. Substitute Big Sections:

Cut new parts of lead flashings and apply them to designated positions.

5. Seal Joints:

Use sealant to close each joint or seam.

6. Replace Tiles:

Redo any tiles that got removed during this repair procedure.
Got it! Here’s the updated FAQ section with the previous questions removed and the new FAQs about lead roof flashing added: