Lead is the defining material of quality roofing on period properties and the correct specification for all conservation area flashings and valleys. We carry out leadwork to Lead Sheet Association standards across all property types.
The correct lead specification depends on the property's exposure and position. Harbour-adjacent and coastal properties require patination oil on all new lead as a baseline. Conservation area properties require Code 4 or 5 lead throughout with chase fixings. Inland properties have more flexibility in specification but the same commitment to quality installation.
Chimney Flashing Set
£350–£750
Valley Replacement
£400–£900
Flat Lead Bay
£600–£1,400
Survey
Free
Chimney Flashing Failure
Chimney flashing is the most common lead failure we diagnose. The apron at the front of the stack, the soakers between tiles and stack, and the back gutter all deteriorate over time. On properties over 50 years old, original lead at these positions is typically at or past its service life. We replace in Code 4 lead with correctly formed soakers and stepped cover flashings with chase fixings — not the single-piece apron that many contractors substitute.
Valley Linings
Valley linings carry the highest water volume of any lead element and fail before flashings in most cases. A blocked or deteriorated valley on a property with significant tree cover backs water up under adjacent tiles rapidly. We replace valleys in correctly sized Code 4 or 5 lead with proper falls, no mid-run joints where avoidable, and appropriate lapping. On conservation area properties, lead is the only acceptable valley material.
Coastal Lead Specification
Properties within a mile of Chichester Harbour or the Solent coast require patination oil applied to all new lead work. Salt aerosol in these environments attacks un-patinated lead significantly faster than inland sites — surface oxidation appears within months rather than years. We specify patination oil as standard on harbour-adjacent and coastal sites.
Free survey — no call-out fee — Portfield & surrounding area
1960s-70s concrete tile estates at nail sickness threshold. For leadwork in Portfield, this means nail sickness widespread, ridge mortar failure on most un-maintained properties. We factor this into our survey, specification and material choice on every Portfield job — not as an afterthought but as the starting point for getting the work right.
Customer Reviews
What Portfield Customers Say
★★★★★
"Excellent lead valley replacement. Free survey, clear quote, arrived on time and cleaned up completely. Exactly what you want."
Reginald F. · Portfield
★★★★★
"Used them for chimney flashing replacement in code 4 lead. Honest assessment, matched materials perfectly, no pressure on scope. Very happy with the result."
Millicent K. · Portfield
★★★★★
"Called for full leadwork package on edwardian property after another contractor let me down. Professional from first call to completion. Recommend unreservedly."
Portfield is one of the largest post-war residential districts in chichester, with 1960s to 1970s concrete tile estates now at or past their design life threshold. For roofing work in Portfield, this means Nail sickness is widespread across multiple pitches on many Portfield properties — the repair treadmill is a consistent pattern until full replacement is addressed on a planned basis. Stane street, bognor road and the surrounding post-war streets. We factor all of this into our survey, specification and material choice on every Portfield job.
The nail sickness pattern across Portfield is now so consistent that our survey process for properties in this district includes a nail condition check on every elevation as standard — not just where visible symptoms have appeared. The correlation between property age and nail condition allows us to give Portfield homeowners an accurate assessment of how much time their roof has before the replacement decision becomes unavoidable.
Free survey across all Chichester postcodes and the surrounding area. Written quote with full itemised breakdown. No call-out fee, no obligation, and no pressure to commit before you are ready. We have been carrying out this work in Chichester and the surrounding area for over 20 years. Our reputation here is built on honest assessment and correct specification — not on selling work that is not needed. Call 01243 278085 to arrange a free survey.
Honest advice
How to Tell You Need Leadwork
Lead failures in Chichester show at junctions — chimney flashings, valleys, bay and dormer tops — where old, fatigued or badly-formed lead lets water track in.
Staining or damp below a chimney, valley or bay window
Lead visibly cracked, split or lifting
White oxidation streaks below lead on the wall
Mastic smeared over lead as a failed past repair
A leak that appears only in heavy or wind-driven rain
When it is not the answer: If the underlying covering is sound and the problem is localised, a targeted repair is the honest answer rather than a larger job. Read the full guide.
Chimney flashing: where stacks let water inThe process
What to Expect: Leadwork in Portfield
1. Free survey
We inspect the roof at close range and diagnose the actual issue on your Chichester property.
2. Written itemised quote
You receive a written, itemised quote with no call-out fee and no obligation.
3. Scheduling
We book a time that suits you, with weather margin built in.
4. The work
We carry out the work in materials matched and correct for the property.
5. Cleanup and sign-off
We clear the site and hand over the written 10-year workmanship guarantee.
Timescales
Typical Timescales
Job
Typical duration
Minor works
A few hours
Typical job
1 day
Larger works
2–3 days
Wet or high-wind days can pause work at height — we build weather margin into every Chichester booking.
Access
Access, Scaffolding & Permits in Portfield
Access is by tower, ladder or scaffold depending on the job and the property; scaffold is always itemised in the written quote. Scaffold is specified for: any job needing safe standing time at height - always itemised in your written quote, never a hidden extra, and we arrange it.
Portfield's post-war concrete-tile estates along Stane Street and Bognor Road give open front access; nail sickness is the dominant issue here. Pavement scaffold and skip permits go through Chichester District Council; allow a few working days on streets like Stane Street, St James’ Road where space is tight.
Pricing
Leadwork Prices in Portfield
Job
Typical range
Notes
Slipped or cracked tile refix
£150–£250
Per visit incl. access
Lead flashing renewal
£350–£750
Chimney or abutment
Valley lining replacement
£400–£900
Common on tree-shaded roofs
Ridge re-bed (per metre)
£40–£70
Lime mortar on period stock
Chimney repointing
£350–£900
Per stack, by scope
What moves the price
Roof height and whether scaffold or a tower is needed
Whether matched or reclaimed materials are required (conservation areas)
The extent of hidden damage found once the covering is lifted
Access on tight terraced streets
Whether the defect is one point or several
Worked example: A rear valley rebuild on a 1930s Summersdale semi: around £680 including tower access and waste removal.
No deposit on repairs under £500. You never pay before the work is done and inspected. Re-roofing over £5,000 is staged — nothing up front before materials are on site. Reduced 5% VAT usually applies to re-roofs; confirmed in writing.
Covering PO19 and surrounding postcodes.
Guarantee
What the 10-Year Guarantee Actually Covers
Workmanship is covered for 10 years in writing, with manufacturer warranties on any materials on top.
Covered: workmanship for 10 years, in writing, transferable if you sell.
On top: manufacturer warranties on materials (terms vary by product).
Not covered: storm or impact damage - that is an insurance matter, and we will document it for your claim.
If a fault appears in covered work, we come back and put it right. No quibbling, no re-charge.
Good to know
Disruption, Mess & Weather
We keep disruption to a minimum, protect the area below the work, and clear everything before we leave. You do not need to stay home for external work - we just need power and access agreed in advance.
Most work runs year-round; temporary weatherproofing goes on the same day if rain interrupts. Portfield sits on the exposed eastern edge of the city, catching coastal weather.
FAQ
Leadwork Portfield: Common Questions
Costs vary by scope and access. Chimney Flashing Set: £350–£750. Valley Replacement: £400–£900. We provide a free survey and written itemised quote for all work in Portfield — no obligation to proceed.
Yes. Portfield is part of our regular working territory. We carry out leadwork across all Portfield postcodes and the surrounding area. Our own team on every job — no subcontractors.
No. The survey visit and quote are free with no obligation. For emergency work, we charge only for the make-safe and repair — no separate call-out fee on top.
Minor repair or maintenance visits typically take 2 to 4 hours. Larger jobs — re-roofing, full flat roof replacement — take 3 to 7 days depending on size and complexity. We confirm the programme in the written quote.
Scaffold requirements depend on the job and property height. We confirm access requirements in the written quote. Scaffold cost is always included as a line item so there are no surprises.
Yes. 1960s-70s concrete tile estates at nail sickness threshold. For leadwork this means nail sickness widespread, ridge mortar failure on most un-maintained properties. We specify materials and methods appropriate to Portfield's specific conditions at the survey.
Yes. Our NFRC membership is current and verifiable at nfrc.co.uk. We hold £5m public liability insurance and provide a written 10-year workmanship guarantee on all leadwork in Portfield. All credentials available on request.
Lead Specification for Portfield Chichester Properties
The correct lead specification depends on the property's position and exposure. In Portfield Chichester, where post-war concrete tile estates at nail sickness threshold, we specify Code 4 lead as standard for chimney flashings and valleys, Code 5 on more exposed positions and conservation area properties where a higher specification is appropriate. All soakers are individually formed to the correct tile course height. Stepped cover flashings are fixed into raked mortar joints with lead wedges — not silicone or mastic, which fail within 5 to 10 years. Back gutters are correctly sized for the rainfall intensity and valley area they serve.
What We Check Before Quoting in Portfield Chichester
Before quoting any lead work, we inspect the full extent of the system: the condition of the lead itself (thickness, oxidation, splits), the mechanical fixings (lead wedges, clips, mortar joints), the condition of the masonry the flashings are fixed into, and any secondary issues that would undermine a new installation if left unaddressed — open chimney pointing that would allow water behind new flashings, or unsound mortar joints that would not hold new chase fixings. We quote the complete scope needed for a lasting result rather than a minimum repair that creates the conditions for the next failure.
Lead Work Costs in Portfield Chichester
Chimney flashing set replacement in Portfield Chichester typically costs £350 to £750. Lead valley replacement runs £400 to £900 per valley. Flat lead bay work costs £600 to £1,400 depending on area and specification. Parapet gutter lining is £80 to £140 per metre. All costs confirmed in written quotes after a free survey. Scaffold costs are always included as a line item.
Getting the Work Right in Portfield
Two decades of working in the Chichester area has given us a specific kind of knowledge that cannot be read from a manual: which housing eras generate which failure modes, which locations require which material specifications, and where the planning and conservation constraints apply that change what is appropriate. In Portfield, this means nail sickness is at advanced stages across much of the post-war estate stock, the repair versus replace conversation is one we have honestly at survey rather than defaulting to either option, and the Stane Street to Bognor Road corridor generates consistent predictable call patterns that we know well. We apply this knowledge to every survey and quotation — it is why our diagnosis rate is high and our return call rate is low.
Free survey across all Portfield postcodes. Written quote with full itemised breakdown. Our own employed team on every job — no subcontractors. 01243 278085 to book.
Get In Touch
Free Quote — No Call-Out Fee
Honest pricing from a local Chichester roofer. Free survey, written quote, no obligation in Portfield.
