Flashing Repair Taunton
Do you need a flashing repair in Taunton?
Flashing repairs across Taunton and Somerset — lead work, chimney flashings and roof junctions properly sealed against Somerset's persistent rainfall
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In the majority of southern England, flashing failures are sporadic issues. Water seeps in during periods of intense precipitation, dries out in between events, and the damage builds up gradually enough that it may go unnoticed for a season or two before becoming evident within the property. That pattern does not hold true in Taunton. Because of the Vale of Taunton Deane's consistently wet climate, failed flashing is a regular issue rather than an isolated one. This area of Somerset experiences enough frequent and prolonged rainfall from October to April to cause a roof junction that isn't properly sealed to admit water almost continuously. In a single Somerset winter, the damage caused by a failed flashing can be equivalent to what a drier county might experience over the course of two or three years if the same fault is left unfixed.
Because lead is strong, pliable, and, when installed correctly, will outlast the majority of other roofing materials, it is naturally suited to the demands of roofing in a wet climate. The mortar pointing that holds the lead into the masonry is typically the issue in Taunton's housing stock, not the lead itself. Outside of the exposed coastal strips of Devon and Cornwall, the climate of Somerset exerts more constant pressure on that pointing than any other place in the south of England. The pointing that holds flashing into the brick and stone of Taunton's older properties has a harder working life than the same detail in a drier location, and it fails correspondingly sooner. This is because it is repeatedly saturated through the long wet winters of the vale, dried during the warmer months, and subject to the frost action that affects both lime and cement mortars when temperatures drop.
Complicating matters further is the diversity of building materials used in Taunton and the nearby villages. For flashing repair, the standard brick construction on the town's Victorian and Edwardian terraces is fairly simple because the mortar specification and the detailing are well known. But when you venture into the Vale's villages and the Quantocks and Blackdowns' foothills, the landscape shifts. When building stone on older rural properties, different pointing specifications and lead dressing techniques are needed for surfaces without the typical brickwork coursing. Properties with cob walls face unique difficulties because cob does not accept flashing fixings like brick does, and properly and sustainably integrating lead flashing with cob walls requires material expertise. Although ham stone, a warm, golden limestone that is widely used in Somerset's older village buildings, is a stunning material, improper use of cement-rich mortars around it can cause surface damage and discoloration.
All types of properties, building materials, and roof configurations are repaired by us for flashings in Taunton and the surrounding Somerset area.
We will properly inspect and repair it to a standard that will withstand whatever Somerset throws at it if you have a leak that has been linked to a flashing, or if you notice lead that has been lifted or pointing that has crumbled away.
Flashing Repairs We Carry Out Across Taunton
Chimney Flashing Replacement and Repair
The entire flashing assembly surrounding Taunton's chimney stacks, including the apron, stepped sides, and back gutter, is subjected to more constant damage from Somerset's climate than nearly every other roof element. Chimney flashing failures occur silently and frequently go unnoticed until water damage within the property makes them impossible to ignore. These failures are caused by pervasive moisture, freeze-thaw action on pointing, and the thermal movement of lead through the vale's seasons. For every kind of roof and every age of property, we fix and replace chimney flashing.
Repairing Back Gutter
Hidden from view, seldom inspected, and exposed to the full amount of water flowing off the rear roof slope, the lead back gutter behind a chimney stack is one of the parts of Taunton's older Victorian homes that fails the most frequently. Over the course of one winter, a malfunctioning back gutter can transfer large amounts of water into a roof structure in Somerset's rainy climate. We correctly inspect, fix, and replace back gutters.
Flashing in the Valley
At the point where two roof slopes meet, lead valleys collect the heavy rains that Somerset is known for, much more than a similarly situated valley in a drier county could handle. The water instead soaks into the roof instead of escaping it when the valley lead breaks or the edges lift. Instead of focusing on the clearly damaged section of valley flashing, we fix and replace them all along the valley run as decay sets in.
Repairing the Area Around the Current Flashing
The lead flashing on many older Taunton properties is in good shape, but the mortar that was used to secure it to the masonry has crumbled due to the constant dampness in Somerset. For properties where the lead still has some useful life left, re-pointing is the better repair option than lead replacement because it restores the weathertight seal at a much lower cost. We use mortar that is suitable for the property's age and type of construction.
Step-Flashing
When individual lead steps lift or the mortar bedding deteriorates under Somerset's constant damp, step flashing at the intersection of a pitched roof and a side wall, which is typical of Taunton's terraced and semi-detached properties as well as the additions made to rural buildings throughout the surrounding villages, fails. Using mortar specifications suitable for the wall's construction material, we correctly re-bed and repoint step flashing.
Flashing for Skylights and Roof Windows
Roof windows, which were commonly installed during loft conversions in Taunton's Victorian and Edwardian homes, eventually experience seal failure due to the constant wet weather in Somerset. The climate of the vale is characterized by repeated cycles of saturation and drying, which wears down seal materials and lead edges with time. It is our standard practice to fix or replace skylight flashing without removing the window unit from the frame.
Properties of Cob and Stone Flashing
At this point, the flashing repairs done on rural properties in Somerset deviate greatly from the norm. True familiarity with traditional Somerset building materials is required for tasks such as dressing lead against cob or irregular stone construction, fixing into materials that do not accept standard fixings in the same manner as brick, and choosing pointing mortars that are compatible with lime-built walls. We are well-versed in the specific needs of cob and stone properties and can repair their flashing accordingly.
Perimeter Flashing for Flat Roofs
Every flat roof system has its weak spot, but in Taunton's case, it's the flashing along the edge of the flat roof extensions where the membrane meets the walls. Because of the constant rain in Somerset, the mortar and pointing at these joints are subjected to more constant pressure than they would be in drier regions. For every type of flat roof, we can fix or replace the perimeter flashings.
Our Methodology for Fixing Taunton Flashing
Evaluating the Complete Flashing Kit
In addition to the visible area of failure, we check the entire flashing assembly and the masonry in the vicinity. In older properties in Taunton, especially those built with stone and cob as seen in the neighboring villages, the state of the wall material around the flashing is just as crucial as the lead itself. A flashing repair that disregards the condition of the pointing and masonry it is attached to will not endure a winter in Somerset.
The Appropriate Maintenance for Each Home
If not installed correctly, lead flashing on a lime-built Somerset property or when dressed against cob improperly will not endure for decades. Instead of using a cookie-cutter approach that doesn't take into account the unique construction of each property, we modify our repair process to fit the needs of each individual wall.
Performing the Tasks
Our van is well-stocked with lead and materials for the majority of flashing repairs. It is common practice to re-point, re-dress, and re-seal skylights all in one visit. Work that requires more time to cure, such as replacing the flashing on an entire chimney or re-leading a valley, or fixing the flashing on an older rural property, is priced and scheduled appropriately.
Prior to Departure, Verification
Checked for proper dressing and seal after flashing was repaired. The roof was cleared of debris. Before the next long wet spell in Somerset allows it to grow further, here's a rundown of what was done and a clear view of anything else discovered on the roof that needs attention.
Why Pick Taunton Roof Repairs?
Somerset roofing is something we are familiar with.
Understanding the effects of Somerset's continuous rainfall on roof materials over time, as well as the differences between the Victorian and post-war stock inside the town and the older rural properties outside, is essential to working throughout the Vale of Taunton Deane and the nearby villages.
We live nearby.
Norton Fitzwarren, Bishops Hull, Creech St Michael, Wellington, and the villages throughout the vale are all included in our daily coverage of Taunton and the surrounding area. We can get to you fast, and we are familiar with the housing and its conditions.
Always give honest advice.
We'll let you know what must be done right away and what can wait. Work that is not required will not be pushed.
Both insured and qualified.
Every job is completed by skilled roofers who are fully insured against public liability.
How Much Will It Cost to Fix the Flashing in Taunton?
Repair type, location, degree of deterioration, and property construction material all play a role in determining costs. Expenses on older rural properties may be impacted by specialist mortar specifications for lime and cob construction, as well as the extra care needed for traditional Somerset building materials like Ham stone. To give you an idea of what to expect around Taunton:
Re-pointing around existing flashing: £200 to £350
Step flashing: £250 to £450
Apron flashing: £250 to £400
Chimney flashing: £300 to £600
Back gutter repair: £300 to £550
Skylight flashing: £250 to £450
Valley flashing: £300 to £600 £400
New chimney flashing: £600 to £900
All figures are for illustration purposes only. The specifics of the lime mortar, the availability of cob and stone, and the ease of access to rural properties in the towns surrounding Taunton can all have an impact on the total price tag. Have us take a look; that way you can get an accurate price.
