Lead roof flashing

[echnidna]

Got a roof leak in the kitchen of the secondary hall in the scout camp.
Had a look at the flashing on the roof vent of the stove exhaust canopy. Theres lots of bits of silicon there, indicating its been a problem previously, and only ever been patched up.

But the main flashing is sheet lead.
And the roof water goes to a water tank.
Fortunately I've never turned the valve on, that connects this tank to the drinking water grid. I can use it for toilets and showers so I don't lose water.

Question is whats the best way to handle the lead flashing problem.
Would it be totally safe to fibreglass it so it can't contaminate the water.
Or totally replace it, which looks like a raw prawn of a job.

[CameronPotter]

Lead roof flashing?

Does that mean that you also have understudy roof flashers and maybe 'supporting cast' roof flashers? I'll keep an eye out for their awards at the next Oscars...

{Sorry, I really couldn't help myself!! }

[Wood Butcher]

Bob, you can get zinc?? flashing in rolls of varying widths from good hardware stores and plumbing supply mobs. Would it be worth replacing all of the flashing? I don't think that fibreglass would be a long term solution. Eventually the 'glass would detoriate being outside.

[johnc]

I don't think a small amount of water runoff is going to give you lead poisoning, the dilution rate is going to be very high. I'd be more concerned about bird pooh contamination myself. However if you are going to reflash there are other options to pursue, even though lead is easy to work into shape.

John

[Tools]

Echidnna,why not just replace it with a dektite??

Tools

[echnidna]

Thought of a dektite originally but asking the online brains trust can come up with some great answers, so I'll always ask a fools question.

[ozwinner]

Lead never done me no harm.

Al

[journeyman Mick]

Bob,
you can (could?) get soft Aluminium flashing that's very easy to mould, won't have to worry about lead poisoning, just early onset Alzheimers:eek: . Alternatively Dektite make a strip flashing material that's a similar material to their usuual flashings but with a mouldable aluminium strip inside. Unless the roof is close to flat or the flue is very irregularly shaped it shoudn't be too hard to use some zincalume profiles.

Mick

[echnidna]

"just early onset Alzheimers"

ahhh, I've had that since I was 3 years old.

[mudgutts]

B.R.A.V.O.O.O.
I would replace the flashing, I changed the flashing on the roof of the Batemans Bay scout camp shed as the kids kept saying the water tasted funny.
1st bb sl

[DanP]

I'd go the Dektite. Make sure you clean up the contact areas and I don't think there could be a simpler or more effective answer.

Dan

[black1]

I don't think a small amount of water runoff is going to give you lead poisoning, the dilution rate is going to be very high. I'd be more concerned about bird pooh contamination myself. However if you are going to reflash there are other options to pursue, even though lead is easy to work into shape.

John

yep i would use the lead and lots of sikaflex.
and lead hasent done ozwinner any harm and he licks it

[Ashore]

Someone helped remove the lead from the industerial arts building at my local high school many years ago and made weights for weight belts , if you do change the flashing remember the lead has other uses , weights , sinkers etc

[echnidna]

As the roof was dry today I got up to have a good look and seal it until its fixed properly

Where the lead flashing contacts the zincalume roof deck the steel is all rotted away and most the pop rivets have let go. I assume that this has been caused by electrlytic action , though maybe when it was done an acid cure silicon was used.

Whatever,
I'll need to put a 2 foot square patch in the roof then flash the vent properly.
Anyway it shouldn't leak for a while so I can get everything together to do it on the next sunny day.

Suppose I'll hafta go disturb our resident tiger snake and grab a short length of roof decking outa his home to patch the roof with. Anyway I wanted some timber so the poor old snake might end up homeless soon.

I wonder if snakes eat dead rats (poisoned)

[Colingo]

Lead and zincalume do not mix. If your roofing material is zincalume then you need zincalume flashings. The reason your roof and pop rivets are rotting away is because of the dissimilar metals and the corrosion will get worse if you don't change the flashing.
I hope this helps.