Case Study · Natural Slate & Chimney Leadwork
Natural Slate Roof & Chimney Leadwork Repair at The Hayloft
A persistent leak traced to failing leadwork at the chimney — resolved
with a careful, localised repair that renewed the leadwork at its source
while keeping disturbance to the wider natural slate roof to a minimum.
Tracing a Leak Back to the Chimney
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.
Access, Diagnosis & Ageing Leadwork
Resolving a leak at height, close to a chimney, meant working through
several stages before a single piece of new leadwork could go in.
Safe Working at Height
Working safely around the chimney meant the area needed to be properly
scaffolded and cordoned off before any work could begin.
Tracing the Water Ingress
The leak needed to be traced back through the roof structure by
stripping slates local to the chimney and running up to the ridge to
expose the felt, battens and existing leadwork.
Leadwork at End of Life
The original back gutter, step flashings, soakers and apron around
the chimney had all reached the end of their serviceable life, allowing
water to track into the roof space.
Minimal Disturbance
The repair needed to resolve the leak at its source while keeping
disturbance to the wider natural slate roof to a minimum.
Method & Sequence
With safe access secured, work moved from diagnosis through to a full
set of new leadwork, before the original slate roof was carefully
reinstated over the repaired area.
Scaffolding & Cordoning
Scaffolding and Heras fencing were installed first to secure the work
area and prevent any unauthorised access.
Slate Strip-Out
The slates local to the chimney stack were carefully stripped back up
to the ridge, allowing the roof structure in this area to be properly
inspected.
New Felt & Battens
New sarking felt and battens were installed wherever needed local to
the leak, giving a sound, dry base to work from before any new
leadwork went in.
Ridge & Slate Reinstatement
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.
A Full Set of New Chimney Leadwork
Code 5 Lead, Dressed to the Chimney
A full set of new leadwork was formed and installed around the
chimney: a new back gutter 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 apron to close off the
lower junction between the chimney and the roof.
From Stripped Slate to Reinstated Roof
Strip-Out & 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.
A Leak Resolved at Its Source
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.
Fixed at the Source
Diagnosis traced the leak precisely to the failing chimney leadwork.
Full New Leadwork
Code 5 back gutter, step flashing, soakers and apron installed throughout.
Minimal Intervention
Repairs stayed local to the chimney, leaving the wider slate roof undisturbed.
Talk to Us About Leadwork & Slate Repairs
Whether it’s a persistent leak around a chimney or wider leadwork
failing on a slate or tiled roof, our team can diagnose the source and
deliver a precise, minimal-intervention repair.