Weather Storm Roofing & Guttering
Lead Work & Lead Bay Roof Replacement in Southend & Essex
Fast response, free quotes and trusted local repair specialists.
07928 888913Lead is the oldest and most reliable weatherproofing material on a roof — and the one most often fitted badly. We're specialist leadworkers covering Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, Rayleigh, Benfleet, Rochford and the wider Essex area, working in code 4 and code 5 milled lead sheet to Lead Sheet Association bay-size and fixing guidance.
The most common job we're called to is a failed bay window roof. Original Victorian and Edwardian bays were often re-covered in one continuous oversized sheet, which leaves the lead nowhere to expand and contract. It splits along the fold, water tracks down behind the brickwork, and the first sign the homeowner sees is damp on the inside wall above the bay.
We strip the failed covering back, check and repair the timber decking underneath, then dress new lead over the bay in correctly sized bays with hand-formed welted seams, clean drip edges and — where the property calls for it — a traditional scalloped lead apron. Every job is finished with patination oil so run-off doesn't stain the brickwork below.
Quick Answers
Why does lead on a bay window roof split?
Almost always because it was laid in one oversized sheet. Lead expands and contracts significantly with temperature, and with nowhere to move it fatigues and tears along the fold. Correctly sized bays with welted seams solve it permanently.
How much does a lead bay roof replacement cost?
Between roughly £750 and £1,600 for a typical Essex bay, depending on size, the code of lead and whether the timber decking beneath needs repair. The price is fixed in writing after inspection.
How long does lead work take?
A bay roof is usually a one-day job, two if the decking has to be replaced. Chimney flashing is half a day to a day, and a valley re-line is normally one day.
Can lead flashing be repaired instead of replaced?
If it has simply pulled out of the mortar joint, yes — it can be re-dressed, chased back in and re-pointed. Split or badly fatigued lead needs replacing; mastic over a split traps water behind the lead and makes the damp worse.
Need a fast response?
Call now for fast local repairs, or request a free written quote — no call-out fee.
07928 888913Our Lead Work Services
- Lead bay window roof replacement in code 5 milled lead
- Chimney lead flashing, stepped flashing and soakers
- Lead valley lining and valley repairs
- Lead porch and dormer roof coverings
- Abutment and apron flashings to extensions and conservatories
- Hand-formed welted seams, drips and scalloped aprons
- Timber decking repair beneath failed lead
- Patination oil finish to prevent staining to brickwork
Lead Bay Roofs
Bay window roofs take more weather than almost any other detail on a house. We re-cover them in correctly sized bays of code 5 lead with welted seams that allow for thermal movement — the single biggest reason lead bays split and leak.
Chimney Flashings & Soakers
Stepped flashing and soakers cut into the mortar course and dressed properly over the tiles. Sealant-and-mastic 'repairs' hide the problem for a season; correctly chased and wedged lead lasts decades.
Lead Valleys
Valleys carry water from two roof slopes at once, so a split lining causes damage fast. We reline in lead over a sound timber base with correct laps and stop-ends, and refix any slipped tiles either side.
Timber Repairs Beneath Lead
Lead is only as good as the deck under it. Where water has already got in we replace the rotten boards and firrings before any new lead goes down — never dress fresh lead over soft timber.
Materials We Use
- Code 4 milled lead sheet
- Used for soakers, smaller flashings and abutment details where the lead is protected and movement is limited.
- Code 5 milled lead sheet
- Our standard for bay roofs, valleys and exposed flashings — thicker, more durable and able to take occasional foot traffic without deforming.
- Treated timber decking and firrings
- Rotten boards under failed lead are replaced in treated timber with correct falls before any new lead is dressed over them.
- Patination oil
- Applied on the day of installation to stop carbonate run-off staining the brickwork white below the new lead.
- Lead sealant and copper fixings
- Non-setting lead sealant to the chase, wedged and pointed, with copper clips and nails that won't react with the lead.
How Long Does It Take?
- Lead bay window roof replacement1 day
- Bay roof with decking renewal2 days
- Chimney stepped flashing renewalHalf a day – 1 day
- Lead valley re-line1 day
- Porch or dormer lead covering1–2 days
Why Choose Us
- Specialist leadwork — code 4 and code 5 milled lead sheet only
- Correct bay sizing and welted seams to allow for thermal movement
- Patination oil applied as standard to stop brickwork staining
- Full photo and video record of before, during and after
- Local Essex team — Southend, Leigh, Rayleigh, Benfleet & surrounding areas
- Free written quotations, fully insured, no call-out fee
Call today for lead bay roofs, flashings and valley work across Southend and Essex.
Related Services
Lead Work — Areas We Cover
Fast local response for lead work across Southend, Rayleigh, Benfleet and the wider Essex area:
★★★★★ Rated by Local Customers Across Southend, Rayleigh & Essex
Customer Reviews
Larry Tanner
"Weather Storm Roofing & Guttering handled the work in a professional and organised way. They arrived on time, explained the job clearly, and completed everything without any issues. The area was left clean and the overall experience was smooth and reliable."
Matthew Cooper
"Outstanding work by Weather Storm Roofing & Guttering in Westcliff-on-Sea! They replaced my entire guttering system and installed additional downpipes to improve drainage. The team was professional, reliable, and delivered excellent workmanship at a great price."
MJ B
"We had a full roof replacement done at our home in Rayleigh, Essex, and we're really happy with how it turned out. Wally and the team were great to deal with – friendly, on time, and super tidy. Top job from a local team you can trust!"
Tom
"Wally from Weather Storm Roofing and Guttering was fantastic! He quickly replaced several broken roof tiles and fixed a leaking rear gutter. Super friendly, professional, and efficient. Highly recommend for roof repairs and gutter services!"
Luke Lyle
"We recently had our flat roof replaced in Basildon, Essex, and the service was excellent from start to finish. The team arrived on time, worked efficiently, and the quality of the new flat roof is brilliant. No more leaks!"
Sinead Connors
"Wally and the team recently completed a full replacement of our gutters, soffits, and fascias at our home in Westcliff-on-Sea. The whole team was friendly, professional, and did an outstanding job from start to finish."
Video Case Study
Lead Bay Roof Replacement — Before, During & After
Watch a full lead bay roof replacement from the failed original covering through to the finished watertight lead work. Videos have no sound.
Old lead bay roof — split and leaking
Original lead work had cracked and lifted, letting water track behind the brickwork above the bay window.
New lead being dressed in
Old lead stripped off, timber checked, then new code lead dressed and welted over the bay roof.
Completed lead bay roof
Finished lead bay roof — clean drips, tight welts and a fully watertight, long-life covering.