Lead Roofing in Bath
Specialist Lead Roofing Across Bath
Bath's Georgian and Victorian housing stock uses lead in applications that are largely absent from post-war construction. Box gutters behind stone parapets on Georgian terraces. Lead-lined valley gutters at the junction of stepped rooflines. Lead soakers between individual slates on every Victorian pitch. Lead saddles and step flashings at every chimney base. Lead cheeks on dormer windows across the Regency terraces on Lansdown and Camden Crescent. Bath has more lead roofing detail per property than almost any UK city, and maintaining it correctly requires specialist knowledge that goes beyond standard roofing practice.
Box Gutters and Parapet Lead
The lead-lined box gutter is the defining roofing element of Bath's Georgian terraces. Set behind a stone parapet at the head of the facade, these gutters collect rainwater from the pitched roof behind and channel it to downpipes at party wall intervals. When correctly maintained, a lead box gutter lasts 80 to 150 years. The most common failure modes are: thermal movement cracking in oversized bays; outlet blockage leading to water backing up under the parapet flashing; and joint failure where original welted seams have opened over decades of thermal cycling. We reline box gutters to BS EN 12588 using Code 5 or Code 6 lead with correct bay sizes of 1.5 metres maximum, properly formed drips, and stainless steel fixings throughout.
Lead Valleys and Soakers
Victorian properties across Oldfield Park, Bear Flat, Widcombe, and Bathwick rely on Code 5 lead valleys at the junction of intersecting roof pitches and at the abutment with chimney stacks and dormer sides. Valley liners typically last 60 to 80 years; many are now overdue for replacement. Soakers — the individual lead pieces between each slate course at abutments — have a shorter service life and are the most common source of localised water ingress on century-old properties. We carry lead stock for same-day or next-day valley and soaker repair across Bath.
Lead Flat Roofing
Lead flat sections on rear extensions, bay window tops, and dormer tops are common across Bath's period housing stock. Traditional lead flat roofing installed correctly to Code 5 or Code 6 specification, with correct bay sizing and anti-capillary grooves at all upstands, has a service life of 60 to 100 years. We specify and install to the current Lead Contractors Association guidance.
Lead Roofing Costs in Bath
Lead flashing replacement: £300–£900
Lead valley reline (per metre): £80–£160
Box gutter reline (per metre): £90–£160
Lead bay window top (re-lead): £600–£1,800
Lead flat section (per sqm): £120–£220
All work quoted free. No call-out fees.
The processHow a Bath Chimney Repairs Job Runs
1. Four-face survey
We inspect every face of the stack — the weather-facing sides erode faster than the one you see — and photograph the faults.
2. Written quote
We quote the repointing, flashing, flaunching or rebuild needed, using lime mortar for Bath's soft stone, at a fixed price.
3. Scheduling & access
We book the work and arrange the tower or scaffold access a stack needs for safe standing time.
4. The work
We rake out failed mortar, repoint in matched NHL lime, renew lead flashing and flaunching, and re-bed pots as needed.
5. Cleanup & sign-off
We clear debris, leave the stack weathertight, and hand over your guarantee.
Getting Safely onto Bath Roofs
Chimney work almost always needs a tower or scaffold for safe standing time at the ridge — itemised in your quote, never a hidden extra. Scaffold is specified for: nearly all stack work — safe access to the ridge is essential and always specified - always itemised in your written quote, never a hidden extra, and we arrange it.
Bath's Georgian and Victorian terraces mean tight pavements, controlled parking, and rear-access scaffold on many streets. Pavement scaffold and skip permits go through Bath & North East Somerset Council; allow a few working days on streets like Milsom Street, Broad Street, Margaret's Buildings where space is tight.
