Roofer used black sealant for chasing leadwork

travis-powers

I used to do the woodwork for a company that specialised in leadwork, an example of basic work
Times have moved on and it’s a separate NVQ now.
while sealant is a better alternative to sand and cement which is prone to popping out it has to be the right stuff.
 It’s fair to say that the guy who did the work in the original post was out of his depth!

ss2020jd

travis-powers said:

I used to do the woodwork for a company that specialised in leadwork, an example of basic work
Times have moved on and it’s a separate NVQ now.
while sealant is a better alternative to sand and cement which is prone to popping out it has to be the right stuff.
 It’s fair to say that the guy who did the work in the original post was out of his depth!

Unfortunately it looks that way. In all the pics I’ve seen and looking at flashing on other buildings I have never seen black sealant used or such a messy finish. He doesn’t seem to think it’s an issue.

I’m hoping I can find someone to correct it eventually but it’s been a real challenge to find a good roofer, even with recommendations. 

That’s a good example, thanks.

jrrowleyws

ss2020jd said:

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. 

Sealant aside, that looks awful. The lead has not been moulded properly down the wall or over the tiles. The corner looks very amateur too. Judging by the dust on the wall the contractor has chased out the wall, it should really be stepped into the mortar joints but I'd almost guarantee that your contractor doesn't know how to do that. 

Personally, I'd stop any more work and find someone that knows how to do leadwork. 

ss2020jd

Agreed @jrrowleyws they have to finish up mortaring some ridge tiles on another part but they won’t be doing anything more to the lead. I’ll be on the hunt for someone that specialises in lead to redo that bit eventually but it seems hard to find people at the moment. 

Grenage

It's already been said plenty here, but that's not a very good job.  I've DIY'd my flashings and they looked a lot better.

It should have either been mortar or leadmate, the moulding is naff, they didn't use patination oil, stepping would have looked better, etc.

ss2020jd

Grenage said:

It's already been said plenty here, but that's not a very good job.  I've DIY'd my flashings and they looked a lot better.

It should have either been mortar or leadmate, the moulding is naff, they didn't use patination oil, stepping would have looked better, etc.

It’s a shame as I’m happy with the other stuff he’s done and he’s done a few other bits and hasn’t charged me. I think he realises the leadwork isn’t up to scratch. He’s offered to come back and rake out the black and put some Leadmate in. 

plumb1_2

ss2020jd said:

Grenage said:

It's already been said plenty here, but that's not a very good job.  I've DIY'd my flashings and they looked a lot better.

It should have either been mortar or leadmate, the moulding is naff, they didn't use patination oil, stepping would have looked better, etc.

It’s a shame as I’m happy with the other stuff he’s done and he’s done a few other bits and hasn’t charged me. I think he realises the leadwork isn’t up to scratch. He’s offered to come back and rake out the black and put some Leadmate in. 

That’s a small improvement replacing it with leadmate , also ask him about oiling the lead. Maybe he doesn’t know? And once informed he may do a better job with future customers.
Also I would ask him if he has a lead dresser, so he can dress the lead better to the wall/tiles.
Best of luck.

travis-powers

plumb1_2 said:

ss2020jd said:

Grenage said:

It's already been said plenty here, but that's not a very good job.  I've DIY'd my flashings and they looked a lot better.

It should have either been mortar or leadmate, the moulding is naff, they didn't use patination oil, stepping would have looked better, etc.

It’s a shame as I’m happy with the other stuff he’s done and he’s done a few other bits and hasn’t charged me. I think he realises the leadwork isn’t up to scratch. He’s offered to come back and rake out the black and put some Leadmate in. 

That’s a small improvement replacing it with leadmate , also ask him about oiling the lead. Maybe he doesn’t know? And once informed he may do a better job with future customers.
Also I would ask him if he has a lead dresser, so he can dress the lead better to the wall/tiles.
Best of luck.

Am I right in saying that the upstand should be no less than 65mm from tile?
 Should op find a proper plumber the straight cut could be hidden behind the step flashing with a higher upstand.

ss2020jd

plumb1_2 said:

ss2020jd said:

Grenage said:

It's already been said plenty here, but that's not a very good job.  I've DIY'd my flashings and they looked a lot better.

It should have either been mortar or leadmate, the moulding is naff, they didn't use patination oil, stepping would have looked better, etc.

It’s a shame as I’m happy with the other stuff he’s done and he’s done a few other bits and hasn’t charged me. I think he realises the leadwork isn’t up to scratch. He’s offered to come back and rake out the black and put some Leadmate in. 

That’s a small improvement replacing it with leadmate , also ask him about oiling the lead. Maybe he doesn’t know? And once informed he may do a better job with future customers.
Also I would ask him if he has a lead dresser, so he can dress the lead better to the wall/tiles.
Best of luck.

Thanks I think maybe that’s the case. That’s helpful to know, thank you, and will ask if I do get him back. 

I may have been a learning curve experiment on the lead front. I have learnt a lot too.