Lead flashing, over the years, has provided essential waterproofing support for homes up and down the UK. After all, in many cases, its absence would mean damp, spoiled carpets, musty smells, and a whole host of problems further down the line. Lead flashing has generally been used throughout the UK in traditional building work such as churches and upmarket homes – but despite its incredible resistance to the elements, even lead, after a time, can start to develop weaknesses such as cracks and splitting – and this is not down to deterioration.
Lead flashing can expand and contract contrary to material it may be laid upon. This means that, if building material provides the lead with little opportunity to move properly, it can crack open and leave homes at risk to water coming in – meaning that, even with the promise of decades’ worth of weatherproof protection, there is still a risk in the material breaking down and defaulting on its main job! But what should you do if you find the need to replace lead flashing? Should you go with the same material and processes again? If it’s happened once, it may happen further times – so we’d certainly advise against it!
You should also bear in mind that lead is very valuable, and will be of interest to would-be thieves – hundreds of homes throughout the country are at risk of being stripped of lead flashing as a result of this trend, meaning that many could do well considering a cost-effective alternative that is just as likely to weather the years and to provide resolute weatherproofing and insulation. This alternative, of course, is GRP fibreglass. Flat roof home extensions are often an issue but other extension roof styles are also at risk of needing GRP Fibreglass not just flat roofing systems.
Here at Merlin, we are confident that our GRP fibreglass, used in roofing in any form, will stand by you for decades without the need for maintenance nor attention. In fact, we ensure that all of our customers receive a 20-year guarantee – we’re confident you’ll not need to maintain your roof or flashing within that time. In terms of replacing lead flashing, fibreglass is ideal – not only is it famed for its similar resilience, it’s a practical alternative and can be used to blend in with your property however you see fit. It’s superb for sealing joints and crevices, meaning that even the trickiest of gaps and corners can be tackled effectively. Thieves will also leave empty-handed – not only is it not the lead they’re looking for, but our GRP fibreglass is tough enough to be thief-resistant – meaning you’re safe from the threat of a leaky roof for the foreseeable future.
If you’re interested in replacing your lead flashing or would like to know more about how we bring GRP fibreglass into our roofing installations, call Merlin Fibreglass Flat Roofing today on 0800 3118 262, or if you have a detailed query, please email us and we will get back to you as soon as possible! Don’t settle for cracking lead and security threats – bring fibreglass into your life and notice the difference!
