What are chimney soakers?

Lead Soakers are used to support Lead Flashings to protect your chimney from weather damage. The Soaker, as its name suggests, facilitates the movement of water toward the gutter, leaving your roof and chimney safe from water damage.

Do you need soakers on a roof?

It is very important to have the roof flashing/soakers fitted correctly to be watertight. I would recommend seeking a roofer, as soon as possible, to fully survey your roofing and make sure that the soakers or flashing is sealed correctly. Additionally, for them to test that your wall-based issue is not related.

What size soakers do I need?

The length of a soaker is equal to the tile gauge + headlap + a short turn over the top of the tile; typically 100 + 65 + 25 = 190mm. Each soaker extends 100mm over the tile and 75mm up the wall.

Does a chimney need a lead tray?

In modern buildings at least one lead tray is incorporated into the chimney stack where it breaks through the roof. Any rain that runs down the inside of the flue is then picked up by the lead along with any rain absorbed by the stack and this is then ejected through weep holes.

What do roofers use instead of lead flashing?

Wakaflex is lead flexible, adhesive roof flashing that can be used instead of lead in most modern roofing applications. EasyFlash is a lightweight flashing that can be used on almost any tile or slate roof to seal abutments. Again, it’s available in a range of colours.

Why do you need lead soakers?

Lead soakers are an integral part of virtually any tiled roof. Not only do they prevent any water ingress at the abutment to a wall, but also provide a professional aesthetic. Using standard lead rolls to form soakers can be time-consuming. You’ll also require additional tools in most cases.

Should lead flashing be under or over tiles?

Normally, lead flashings should not exceed 1.5m in length, with laps of not less than 100mm. Flashing should be tucked into a mortar joint 25mm deep and at least 75mm above the tiling level and lead wedged into place.

How are the flashings on a chimney secured?

Good chimney flashings are two-part. The base flashings are secured to the deck and the cap flashing is secured to the masonry. The overlap between these two flashings allows movement without disturbing the watertightness.

What causes water to run down the face of a brick chimney?

Water running down the face of the brickwork will seep in, this can happen around any face of the chimney flashings, also check the back gutter for splits, holes or a lack of cover. Probably the most abundant and visible part of your chimney when viewed from ground level.

What kind of siding does a chimney have?

Typically, chimney flashings are more complex than other types of roof flashings and are a common source of roof leaks. As a rule, chimneys are either masonry or metal. Some chimneys are clad in wood, stucco or aluminum siding.

What does it mean when mortar falls out of chimney?

Check for mortar falling out, or missing to a depth of 3 – 4mm (an eighth of an inch) or more, this may be an indicator that the chimney needs repointing. Chimney pointing– A prime example of a very weathered chimney stack in need of re-pointing.