Long before the term “lead welding” entered common use, tradesmen simply called it lead burning — a name passed down through generations of plumbers and roofers who fused sheet lead by hand, using nothing but flame and skill to draw the metal together into a single, seamless joint. That heritage term still lives on in workshops and on rooftops today, even as the modern trade has come to know the same process as lead welding. Whichever name you know it by, the technique hasn’t changed much in over a century: it’s a slow, deliberate craft that takes years to master properly. We fit new lead flashings, valleys, abutments and bay replacements, and repair or replace worn, cracked or stolen lead, with a neat, hand-finished result built to last decades.

Lead flashing installation and repair around chimneys and abutments
Lead valley installation and renewal
Lead soakers cut and fitted square and flat for correct slate lay
Lead work to bay roofs, turrets and dormers
Lead bossing: shaping sheet lead by hand into corners, roll ends, dormer cheeks and other complex details without unnecessary joints
Lead dressing: working lead tightly to the brickwork and roof contours so water can’t track behind it
Lead welding: fusing lead seams into a continuous, weathertight joint
Lead burning: the traditional method of joining lead with a gas torch, ideal for detailed and heritage work
Repair of cracked, split or worn lead caused by thermal movement

Leadwork is one of the more specialist trades within roofing, and poor workmanship is a common cause of persistent leaks. Our team is skilled in lead bossing, lead burning, lead dressing and lead welding, and takes the time to dress lead correctly to the brickwork and get soakers sitting square and flat, so slates and tiles lay properly and water is directed away rather than trapped. This attention to detail is what gives correctly fitted lead work a lifespan of a century or more.

How long does lead work last?
Correctly installed lead flashing, valleys and soakers can last well over 100 years, making it one of the most durable roofing materials available.

Why is my lead flashing leaking?
Leaks are often caused by lead that hasn’t been dressed properly to the brickwork, cracked lead from thermal movement, or soakers that weren’t cut square and flat. We can inspect and diagnose the cause before repairing it.

Do you repair lead valleys as well as flashings?
We carry out repairs and full renewals of lead valleys, flashings, soakers and bay or turret leadwork.

Can lead work be repaired without disturbing the surrounding roof covering?
In many cases, localised flashing and soaker repairs can usually be carried out without lifting large areas of slate or tile

What is lead bossing?
Lead bossing is the traditional skill of shaping sheet lead by hand, using mallets and dressing tools, to fit awkward details such as corners, turrets and dormer cheeks. It creates a neat, watertight finish with fewer joints, which means fewer places for water to get in.

Proudly serving Sheffield Centre, Broomhill, Crosspool, Crookes, Ecclesall, Fulwood, High Storrs, Hillsborough, Hunters Bar, Loxley, Meersbrook, Nether Edge, Sharrow Vale, Walkley, Woodseats and Dronfield (S6, S7, S8, S10, S11, S17, S18).
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