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Roofing

Repair to cracked lead gully

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 3.34 PM

Hi, I have two slate roofs that run next to each other with a shallow gulley running between them. The gully is about 3.5m to 4m long and with a very shallow slope to it. Following a leak I am told that there is a crack about half way down the gully running across it, not down the length of it. I am told that it is a stress crack from seasonal expansion and contraction due to it being installed in one long length, which I have no reason to doubt. It's certainly older than 25 years (when I moved in) and could be much older but the lead appears to be in good condition still except for the crack. It's an old house from the 1860s and has a small amount of seasonal movement. I've had a couple of roofers look at it. The first wanted to install a new GRP gully but a building surveyor, that I had previously had round to inspect a few other things, recommended that I don't install GRP as it is inflexible with the movement of the house. The second roofer suggested his preferred option would be to remove the slate either side of the crack, clean and abrade the lead and then fit a 2 part polymer rubber seal. Then replace the slates. Can someone please explain this to me, how it works and how long it would be reasonably expected to last. (He said the ideal way would be to install new lead in 2 shorter lengths with a step in the valley to allow movement but that would require significant modifications to the valley and a lot of work. The rubber seal, therefore probably being the best option) I have no reason to doubt the advice but it's always good to have a second opinion so I would appreciate it if you could share your thoughts. Many thanks. Paul.

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4 Answers

ADR Property Maintenance

Rating: 5 out of 5
Boston
Like most temporary repairs it is just that a short term fix no way of telling how long it would last, you could line the gully with a liner , but the only long term solution is to replace the gully as there is no way of telling what condition the supports under the gully are in if it's been leaking a while there could be a lot of hidden rot. Good luck Alex
Answered8 June 2023
3

Anonymous user

My opinion would be to re-new the valley with lead.as this would be the most long lasting solution
Answered8 June 2023
1

Active roofing Services

Rating: 5 out of 5
Tranent
In my opinion stripping out the lead and checking for any damages to the timber's and renewing them and then the lead would be the best way to go about this If you were to patch it up there will be no guarantee of how long this may last
Answered8 June 2023
1

BODEN ROOFING LTD

Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Newcastle, Staffordshire
Hi In our opinion , you would need to remove slates and the existing lead to view if any damage through water ingress has occurred to the boards and if so the timber will need replacing with a step halfway of 50mm to allow the less overlap and movement which is what as caused this to happen previously as there is no movement allowance in the long term this is the best option Hope this helps
Answered8 June 2023
1