Leadwork in Painswick, Gloucestershire

Have you noticed a damp patch appearing on the ceiling near your chimney breast after a heavy downpour? Most homeowners we talk to in Painswick find that the culprit isn't a broken tile, but failing lead flashing. This is the "staircase" pattern of lead—known as step flashing—that seals the gap between your masonry and your roof. If it's cracked or pulling away, water finds its way in fast. We don't just patch things up; we use traditional bossing and lead burning (welding) techniques to create a seamless, watertight barrier that moves naturally with your building's structure.

Your roof valleys—those V-shaped channels where two slopes meet—handle a massive amount of water during a typical British storm. If your lead valleys are split or weren't installed with the right "code" (thickness) of lead, you're looking at a serious leak. We specialise in replacing worn-out valleys with high-grade Code 5 or 6 lead, ensuring they’re wide enough and deep enough to channel every drop safely into your gutters. It’s the kind of job you only want to do once, and when it’s done right, you won’t have to think about it again for decades.

You might see some modern "sticky-back" alternatives to lead on the market, but frankly, they don't hold a candle to the real thing. Lead is incredibly malleable, meaning we can shape it around the most awkward chimney stacks or dormer windows in Painswick without it losing its strength. Plus, it's 100% recyclable and boasts a lifespan of over 100 years. We always apply patination oil to our new installations too—this stops that white powdery staining you sometimes see and gives the lead that classic, attractive grey finish that looks so right on a Cotswold property.

Working on a listed building or a home in a conservation area requires a bit of extra respect for the original architecture. We're well-versed in the specific requirements of heritage roofing across Stroud and the wider Gloucestershire area. From using specific lead codes for durability to ensuring all our work meets the highest quality standards, we treat your historic home with the care it deserves. We’re local, we’re fully insured, and we understand that in a place as beautiful as Painswick, the finish needs to be as good as the functionality.