Replacing lead in 'valley'

kev_pecker

Hello good people.

I live in a 1920's terrace with a double story extension out the back that may well have been put on at the time of construction. I have a leak in the valley part of my roof that needs some attention.

I had a roofer round whom was recommended by a chap at work, he lives round the corner from me and is not on any checkatrade style sites. He said he was very busy at the moment and it took nearly 2 weeks to give me a price.

The valley had some debris in which he cleared and there is a crack in the lead, he has quoted/estimated £380 to remove existing lead from the valley and supply/fit new 390mm code 4 lead.

Is this price reasonable? Usually I'd take a look myself, but my wife won't let me climb on the roof plus I don't have a ladder big enough. I would get a few more quotes, but thanks to the storm here on the south coast earlier this week it's proving really difficult to get anyone else to answer their phone let alone come round!

Thanks you in advance.

prosaver

Tell him to use this
https://www.sterlingbuild.co.uk/product/everbuild-roof-and-gutter-sealant?gclid=CJf4paeKwNACFfEy0wodmqQExg
and make him take a pic, tell him your into saving the planet etc
Or get someone else for 50 pound .. a hours work
If he's so buzy he would be grateful .

FreeBear

A decent tradesman should be able to solder the cracked lead - I needed to fix some lead flashing last year that needed a soldered joint. It isn't difficult to do and would be a lot cheaper than buying a new roll of lead.

Furts

There can be a lot of work involved in replacing a lead valley. There may be rotten valley boards underneath, or there may be no support at all for the lead - so something will be required. The lead has to go under the tiles so these need removing, and a tilting fillet and liner detail is required.

Smearing on gutter sealant could give a short term fix, but no reputable trades person would do this. Neither will they do the job for £50.

Soldering will not be the answer unless you are certain there are no other issues such as lack of support and rotten timbers.

All in, when allowing for the cost of a roll of lead, and proper safe access I suggest £380 is too cheap. But if is a "cash job" using some surplus lead...you decide.

greenface

how much are they replacing (how longs the valley) or are they going to replace a few feet where the damage is . If they come recommended you could be ok . Ive seen a few roofing jobs recently where they have done a lot less than the customer thought they were getting . Its easy to fix a leak and if it leaks again next year . That would be "another leak" that would need fixing . £380 for a full and proper job is cheap as its not easy to replace a valley full with the problems furt mentioned . Take pics or mention your son/brother will be replacing your Ariel in the spring etc and will clean out any leaves and check around for any more problems

Rolandtheroadie

I had a valley replaced approximately 4 years ago.
5 or 6 metres, the cost was around £900.

kev_pecker

Sorry, I completely forgot to update this thread, many thanks for all your replies, it is much appreciated.

£50 for the job would have been too cheap. 3 years ago I needed 2 chimney caps fitted (just labour) and I had to contact 12 roofers/chimney sweeps just to get 2 quotes, they were £60 and £150…..it took 10 mins and that included getting his ladder off and putting it back on his van, his day job was fitting log burners. So £50 for an actual repair is probably optimistic.

Back to this job, I managed to get second quote for £550. Both guys said it had already been repaired once and they wouldn’t repair again as it would probably leak within a couple of years, they also said the valley was laid in one long strip and it should have been staggered.

I took the guy at £380, he said his price was very ‘keen’ (his words) because it was just round the corner from his house and good for squeezing in between other work. He took before and after pictures which he sent me and ensured I was happy with before invoicing. 4 months down the line and it is all still dry in the loft, so fingers crossed I’ve got a tradesman I can use for years to come.

Thank you once again for your help and advice