Flashing is one of those roofing details that does a huge amount of quiet, unglamorous work, sealing the joins around chimneys, roof valleys and where a roof meets a wall or extension. When it fails after a storm, homeowners in Warmley often notice the resulting leak long before they ever think to blame the flashing itself, since the connection between a small strip of lead and a damp patch on a bedroom ceiling is not always an obvious one to make.
Lead flashing can be lifted, bent or torn away from its fixings by strong wind, particularly where it has already begun to loosen slightly from age or where the original installation was less than ideal. Once a section lifts even a few millimetres, wind-driven rain can get behind it repeatedly during a storm, and the damage tends to get progressively worse with each subsequent spell of bad weather rather than staying the same, as the gap widens and more water is able to find its way through. Some homeowners in Warmley only notice the flashing itself has moved once a neighbour or passer-by mentions it.
The tricky part with flashing failures is that the point of entry and the point where water eventually shows up inside the house are often not the same place. Water can travel along a rafter or run down the inside of a wall for some distance before it appears as a stain on a ceiling or wallpaper, which is why flashing problems sometimes get mistaken for other issues, such as a plumbing leak or condensation, until a roofer traces the actual source properly.
Emergency flashing repairs typically involve re-securing or replacing the damaged lead, along with checking the surrounding tiles and mortar joints that the flashing seals against, since these are often affected by the same storm. Where access is difficult, such as flashing high up on a taller terraced property, appropriate scaffolding or safe working platforms are used rather than attempting the repair from a ladder, both for safety and to allow the work to be done properly. A rushed repair carried out from an unstable position rarely lasts as long as one done with the right equipment in place.
Because a compromised flashing joint tends to let more water in with every subsequent downpour, this is not the kind of repair worth putting off once it has been identified, even if the current leak seems minor. Brunel Roofing Bristol provides a 24-hour emergency call-out for situations like this, with all completed flashing repairs covered by a 15-year guarantee, giving you real peace of mind that the job has been done to a proper standard.
If you suspect flashing damage on your Warmley property, whether around a chimney, valley or wall abutment, get in touch for a free inspection. We will identify exactly where the water is getting in and put it right properly, not just patch over the symptom for a few months.
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