Lead soakers and flashing

A tidy strip of flashing can hide a more involved roof-to-wall junction. In some tile and slate arrangements, individual soakers sit with the covering beneath the visible flashing. Their role is part of the weathering detail, even though they may be absent from a finished roof photograph.

The construction varies with the roof and covering. A homeowner should not assume that every junction uses the same components or that a visible repair addresses everything below it.

Ask for a description of the assembly

For a WWR Roofing enquiry, identify the wall junction and any associated water entry. Provide records of previous covering or flashing repairs, particularly where only one part of the detail was renewed.

A useful recommendation explains the components being considered and the evidence supporting the proposed work. Where the construction is concealed, the need for further investigation should remain clear.

Set the boundary of the repair

If tiles or slates must be lifted, establish which area is involved and how the covering will be reinstated. A quote for the visible flashing alone should not be mistaken for renewal of all weathering components at the junction.

Likewise, a proposal to repair the complete detail should explain why that extent is needed. The description should connect the work with the findings rather than rely on a general label such as lead repair.

Preserve the information before it is covered

Photographs of concealed stages can help future maintenance, where available. Keep them with the material description, location and final invoice so the image has a clear meaning.

Our leadwork service covers these enquiries. Read stepped lead flashing for the visible side of a pitched roof junction and the information to include in an initial report.