Lead Soaker Flashing Replacement & Stormdry Treatment — Whitehawk, Brighton

Failing flashings against an adjoining wall stripped out and replaced with individual lead soakers on a Whitehawk, Brighton property — adjoining wall sealed with Stormdry to finish.

Project Details

On this Whitehawk property the flashings running against the adjoining wall had stopped doing their job. Water was getting in at the roof-to-wall junction, and the existing leadwork was no longer providing a reliable seal. The solution was to strip everything out and start again with the correct method — individual lead soakers fitted course by course, with the adjoining wall treated with Stormdry to close off the brickwork above.

The Problem

Flashings against adjoining walls on semi-detached and terraced properties are a common source of water ingress. Where the original installation used a single continuous piece of lead or an inadequate sealant-only solution, thermal movement and weathering cause the junction to open up over time. On this Whitehawk property, the flashings had failed entirely and were no longer preventing water from tracking in between the roof and the wall.

The Work

The job was completed in two stages:

Lead soaker installation. The existing flashings were stripped out completely. Individual lead soakers were then cut and fitted between each course of tiles up the full length of the abutment, with each soaker dressed up against the adjoining wall face. This method creates a step-by-step weathertight barrier that moves with the roof without cracking or pulling away.
Stormdry treatment. Once the leadwork was complete, Stormdry masonry protection cream was applied to the full face of the adjoining brick wall above the flashings. This breathable water-repellent treatment penetrates the brickwork and significantly reduces water absorption from driving rain — giving the wall the same protection as the roof below it.

The Result

The roof-to-wall junction is now fully weathertight. The individual soaker method is the correct approach for this type of abutment and will outlast any continuous strip or sealant repair by many years. Combined with the Stormdry treatment on the adjoining wall, the whole junction is now protected against water ingress from both directions.

Project Gallery

Roof tiles and solar panels on a Whitehawk Brighton property with old flashings stripped back against the adjoining brick wall — start of works

Close-up of the junction between the roof and adjoining wall during flashing strip-out — old lead removed and deck exposed ready for new soakers

Individual lead soakers being fitted between roof tiles and the adjoining wall in Whitehawk — soakers installed course by course up the slope

New lead soakers fitted across the full width of the roof abutment in Whitehawk, Brighton — each soaker dressed between the tiles and up the face of the adjoining wall

Stormdry masonry protection cream being applied to the adjoining brick wall in Whitehawk — breathable water-repellent treatment brushed into the brickwork above the new flashings

Adjoining brick wall after Stormdry application in Whitehawk, Brighton — full face treated and sealed against driving rain while remaining breathable

Completed lead soaker flashings running the full length of the roof abutment in Whitehawk — individual soakers clearly visible stepping up with each tile course

Finished lead soaker flashing and Stormdry treatment on a Whitehawk, Brighton property — roof-to-wall junction fully weathertight with solar panels reinstated

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a soaker and a standard flashing?

A soaker is an individual piece of lead that slots between each course of tiles and turns up against the adjoining wall. A cover flashing is then dressed over the top into a mortar joint to cap it off. Together they create a two-part weathertight system. A single continuous flashing without soakers relies on a perfect seal along its full length — when that seal breaks anywhere, water gets in. Soakers work independently at each course, so a failure at one point does not compromise the whole run.

Why do flashings against adjoining walls fail?

The main causes are thermal movement — lead expands and contracts with temperature, and continuous strips can crack or pull away from the wall over time — and inadequate original installation, where sealant or mortar was used instead of properly fitted lead. On older properties, flashings may also simply have reached the end of their service life and corroded through.

What does Stormdry do and is it visible on the brickwork?

Stormdry is a breathable masonry protection cream that penetrates into the surface of the brickwork and bonds within the pores, dramatically reducing water absorption without coating or sealing the surface. It does not significantly alter the appearance of the brickwork and allows moisture vapour to escape from within the wall. It carries BBA certification and is widely specified for older masonry in exposed positions.

Can this type of repair be done with solar panels on the roof?

Yes — the solar panels on this property were carefully worked around during the flashing strip-out and reinstated once the leadwork was complete. Access to the abutment between the panels and the wall requires care, but it does not prevent the correct installation method from being used.

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