This former Parsonage in Lancashire features a 12 metre lead lined stone gutter along one elevation. The wall had been saturated from water ingress, damaging exterior render and internals.
The existing lead joints had been welted (a type of fold joint) which restricts water flow and can be sensitive to thermal movement. The joints had indeed been compromised, evidenced by patch repairs with a modern fibrous overlay. It was agreed that we replace the full length of lead that lined the gutter.
The client had scaffold erected at the property, and arranged the access deck to be knee height at the top of the gutter along the elevation.
We stripped back the Welsh Slate roof to expose the lead lapped beneath, and correctly disposed of the existing lead. A section of timber had rotted as a result of the water ingress, and was replaced.
Code 5 lead has an increased thickness versus Code 4, extending the intervals to jointing and allowing it to be used for more durable applications. Our lead specialists installed Code 5 Lead with expansion joints at 1.5 metre intervals. The new lead work was seated on an underlay to assist in thermal movement. Expansion joints were welded at each side.
To increase the gutter’s flow rate, the outlets were cored. The Welsh Slates were refixed, and surrounding stones over-cladded with lead to prevent failure at joints. The stone hoppers were stripped and lead welded – an example of detailed lead work.
All lead work was treated with mulitple coats of patination oil to prevent white carbonate staining.