Background
Cambridge Roofers were called out to The Hayloft following reports of a persistent leak in the roof space close to the chimney stack. The property is finished in natural slate, and the source of the leak was traced to failing leadwork around the chimney, an area particularly vulnerable to water ingress where the roof slope meets the masonry. The job called for a careful, localised repair that would resolve the leak at its source while keeping disturbance to the wider slate roof to a minimum.
The Challenges
Working safely around the chimney at height meant the area needed to be properly scaffolded and cordoned off before any work could begin. Once access was in place, the extent of the water ingress needed to be traced back through the roof structure, which meant stripping back the slates local to the chimney and running up to the ridge to expose the underlying felt, battens and existing leadwork. The original back gutter, step flashings, soakers and apron around the chimney had all reached the end of their serviceable life and were allowing water to track into the roof space.
Cambridge Roofers’ Approach
Scaffolding and Heras fencing were installed first to secure the work area and prevent any unauthorised access. The slates local to the chimney stack were then carefully stripped back up to the ridge, allowing the roof structure in this area to be properly inspected.
New sarking felt and battens were installed wherever needed in the area local to the leak, giving a sound, dry base to work from before any new leadwork went in. A full set of new leadwork was then formed and installed around the chimney: a new back gutter in Code 5 lead to channel water around the top of the stack, new step flashing and soakers dressed into the roof slope on the right-hand side of the chimney, and a new Code 5 apron to close off the lower junction between the chimney and the roof.
The existing ridge was re-bedded locally to restore a sound, weathertight ridge line, and the original slates were reinstated over the repaired area, with any damaged or broken slates replaced to match the surrounding roof.
The Works in Progress
Strip-Out and Preparation
Slates around the chimney were stripped back to expose the roof structure, and new sarking felt and battens were installed local to the leak to provide a sound base for the new leadwork.
New Leadwork
New Code 5 leadwork was formed and dressed in around the chimney, including a new back gutter, step flashing and soakers, and a new apron to close off the base of the stack.
Completed Roof
With the ridge re-bedded and the original slates reinstated around the repaired area, the finished roof blends seamlessly with the surrounding slate work while resolving the source of the leak.
Conclusion
The repair at The Hayloft successfully resolved the water ingress at its source, with new leadwork, felt and battens installed around the chimney and the original natural slate roof reinstated around the repair. The targeted approach ensured the leak was fixed without the need for wider intervention across the roof, delivering a watertight, long-lasting result for the client.