A Grade II listed cottage in Hawkshead village had a failing lead valley that was causing damp damage to a first-floor bedroom. Our roof repair team replaced the corroded lead lining and restored the valley timbers, using traditional methods approved by the conservation officer to preserve this historic property's character.
This charming whitewashed cottage sits at the heart of Hawkshead village, with a complex roof arrangement where two steeply pitched slate roof slopes converge to create a 3.5-metre valley. The original lead lining — estimated to be over 100 years old — had corroded through at its base where debris accumulation caused standing water. Generations of attempts to seal the deteriorating lead with bituminous compounds had trapped moisture against the timber substrate beneath, accelerating rot in the valley boards. Water was entering the bedroom below during every moderate rainfall, staining the lime-plastered walls and ceiling. As a listed building in the Lake District National Park, all repair materials and methods required conservation officer approval, ruling out modern alternatives like GRP or EPDM.
After obtaining listed building consent, we erected scaffold with padded bearers to protect the rendered walls. The old lead was carefully stripped and the valley boards removed to expose the structural timbers. Two valley rafters had surface rot which was treated with consolidating epoxy resin. New valley boards were installed in 25mm oak — specified by the conservation officer as the traditional material for this age of building. The new Code 5 lead valley was laid in two bays with a welted drip joint at the midpoint, dressed 150mm under the Westmorland green slates on both sides and secured with copper clips. The base of the valley was detailed into the existing cast iron gutter with a lead splash lap.
The restored valley is performing flawlessly, and the conservation officer commended the quality of the traditional leadwork. The bedroom damp has dried completely, and the lime plaster walls have been carefully restored. We provided a 25-year guarantee on the valley repair and lead work.
Code 5 lead (2.24mm thickness) was specified for its durability in this exposed valley position. Milled lead provides consistent thickness and smooth working properties essential for the welted drip joints required in conservation-grade valley work. The lead carries full LSA certification and traceability.
English oak was specified by the conservation officer as the historically correct boarding material for this period of construction. Oak's natural tannins provide inherent rot resistance, and its dimensional stability makes it an excellent substrate for lead valley linings. The boards were quarter-sawn for maximum stability.
The two-part epoxy timber consolidant penetrates softened wood fibres and hardens them permanently, restoring structural integrity to rafters with surface decay. This conservation-approved treatment preserves original timbers rather than replacing them — an important principle for listed building repairs.
Copper clips at 450mm centres secure the lead edges without restricting thermal movement. Copper is galvanically compatible with lead, preventing the corrosion that would occur with dissimilar metals in this exposed valley application.
Our roof repair and leadwork team specialises in listed building repairs throughout Hawkshead and the Lake District. From valley replacements to slate reroofing, we deliver conservation-grade work with full guarantees. Contact us for a free assessment.
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