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Product Focus Spring 2004

Leading The Way

Lead has a number of applications in roofing. Traditionally, lead has been used for flashings, trims, valleys and gutters principally because it is easy to use, malleable and long lasting. Lead is supplied in a range of different thicknesses depending on how it will be used.

At Asphaltic Roofing Supplies we only stock quality rolled lead supplied by ALM, Jamestown Metals, Royston Lead and British Lead Mills who manufacture their products to BS EN 12588:1999. We can source lower grade cast lead as required but as a quality distributor we like to promote best practice and always recommend you use rolled lead to the current British Standard where possible. Most branches stock ready made chimney aprons, saddles and back gutters manufactured from code 4 lead. They don’t need onsite bossing or welding and generous allowances at the corners make the fitting of

side flashings or soakers easy. A comprehensive range of ready made weathering slates suitable for almost every type of roof application are also available.

Lead slates and soakers – These can be supplied in a wide range of sizes

Lead Sealant – This can be used in preference to a traditional mortar mix around abutment flashings. Lead sheet sealant has been developed with elastic properties ideal for pointing between lead and brickwork or masonry.

Patination Oil – This should be applied to all leadwork as it provides an aesthetically pleasing finish and minimises white staining both on the lead and on materials fixed below the lead. Patination oil should be applied at the earliest opportunity but especially before rainfall.

Over the past months all sectors of the metal market have experienced significant price increases. This trend is a direct result of constant increases within the London Metal Exchange (LME). A contributing factor to this trend is a worldwide material shortage mainly caused by increased demand from China combined with major closures of lead producers in Europe.

We endeavour to keep customers aware of price changes with as much notice as possible. In light of the current volatile state of the market, please contact your local branch for the most up to date information

More information can also be found at www.lme.co.uk.
Use

Code 3

Code 4

Code 5

Code 6

Code 7

Code 8

Soakers

Yes

Yes

Flashings

Yes

Yes

Pitched Gutters

Yes

Yes

Cladding

Yes

Yes

Weatherings

Yes

Yes

Yes

Parapet Gutters

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Roofing

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Code

Thickness

Weight Kg/m2

Colour Code

Code 3

1.32mm

14.97

Green

Code 4

1.80mm

20.41

Blue

Code 5

2.24mm

25.40

Red

Code 6

2.65mm

30.05

Black

Code 7

3.15mm

35.72

White

Code 8

3.55mm

40.26

Orange

Tips on good leadwork

  • Individual pieces of lead flashing must not exceed 1.5m in length.
  • Fixings should hold the lead securely in position without restricting thermal movement. With flashings, regular expansion joints (laps) will overcome the restriction caused by lead wedging along one side.
  • Nails and screws should have a similar life expectancy to that of the lead – therefore only use copper, brass or stainless steel and never galvanised or aluminium.
Leadwork should comply with the recommendations of the Lead Sheet Association and BS EN 12588
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