Roofer used black sealant for chasing leadwork

ss2020jd

Hi all, 

Looking for some help and opinions as I have had great advice in the past. 

I’ve been having some work done on a small lower roof and have been really happy with the work so far (until this). The roofer has been working really hard seems to know what he’s doing and the guy who’s helping him has worked solidly too. 

The roofer started on replacing some leadwork today which was a bit of a mess before so I didn’t think it could look any worse, but when I went out there I see he has chased in with black sealant. Now he told me that for that straight piece it wouldn’t be stepped but I didn’t expect it to be done with black sealant. He said the thicker bits of sealant are where the lead wedges are. Other old parts of  mortar/sealant on lead upstand are a grey or buff colour so this really stands out.

My husband says we won’t be looking at it so as long as it’s watertight it shouldn’t matter but it’s right by the door to the house so I can’t help but see it!

Any advice on what could be done to remedy it or how I can broach it with the roofer. I actually think he is a genuine guy so am surprised and disappointed. I hate confrontation and need him to finish the job so grateful for any suggestions or opinions!  I was speechless at the time so didn’t say anything but any pointers as to how it should be done or whether it can be improved some way would be great.

Thanks in advance for any replies. 

grumbler

There are various grey building silicones available, including special for lead:

ss2020jd

grumbler said:

There are various grey building silicones available, including special for lead:

That’s why I can’t understand why he did it in black. 

dil1976

That's awful, there is no excuse for bad workmanship. Never seen lead not stepped to go into the mortar but am happy to be corrected if that is now the correct way to do it.

ss2020jd

dil1976 said:

That's awful, there is no excuse for bad workmanship. Never seen lead not stepped to go into the mortar but am happy to be corrected if that is now the correct way to do it.

I think he just stuck with what was there before and put a new bit of lead in the chased part. Although I did notice that he cut off a corner of the facscia board to fit the lead upstand.

He’s due to do some lead that currently runs over the upstairs window ledges but not sure I want that done by him now. 

It sounds like I’d be best getting someone in to correct it after rather than getting him to attempt it. 

stuart45

I'd talk to him and explain you're not happy with it. It's not that big a job to redo it.
On site, leadwork is the plumber's job, as they have the tools for lead dressing, and know how to use them.

ss2020jd

stuart45 said:

I'd talk to him and explain you're not happy with it. It's not that big a job to redo it.
On site, leadwork is the plumber's job, as they have the tools for lead dressing, and know how to use them.

Thanks, I do remember hearing that now on this site. I will try to broach it when everything is finished. We actually have some leadmate that I was going to use to fill some gaps so can offer that to him.  Failing that I’ll have to find a plumber that can do leadwork.

[Deleted User]

That's not good work, I suspect that he's not a roofer!

Works should follow Lead Sheet Association guidance Calder-GTGLW-210213.pdf (calderlead.co.uk)

And look something like this
 

ss2020jd

[Deleted User] said:

That's not good work, I suspect that he's not a roofer!

Works should follow Lead Sheet Association guidance Calder-GTGLW-210213.pdf (calderlead.co.uk)

And look something like this
 

Thanks that is really helpful. 

TELLIT01

The idea of a plumber doing lead flashing work on a roof is a new one to me.  Flashing work is part of a roofers trade.  When we had an extension done the roofer did all the leadwork, including creating a lead lined gutter.

stuart45

TELLIT01 said:

The idea of a plumber doing lead flashing work on a roof is a new one to me.  Flashing work is part of a roofers trade.  When we had an extension done the roofer did all the leadwork, including creating a lead lined gutter.

Leadwork is part of the plumbing apprenticeship. The name plumber comes from the Latin for lead. 
Self employed roofers doing private jobs will often do the flashing work as waiting for a specialist leadworker is going to hold them up, as well as extra expence. They will also do the work on chimneys such as repointing, rather than get a bricklayer in. 
Every medium sized building firm I've worked for gets the chippies to do any rafter, fascia, soffit etc repairs, the roofer to tile or slate it, me to do any chimney repairs and the plumber to do the leadwork.