Safeguarding Lead Flashing on your Home

If you’re unfamiliar with what lead flashing is, let me give you a brief explanation. Flashing can be found on the exterior of your home on porches, walls, doors and windows, but most commonly on your roof. Chimneys, skylights and vents will have a flashing where they join. The purpose of the flashing is to keep your roof watertight.

The problem with lead flashing is that it’s pretty appealing to criminals who go on to sell it to scrap metal dealers for a profit. It’s a lucrative business and quite often one that affects the most vulnerable. A few years ago, some of the local churches were targeted for the lead flashing on their roofs.

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Of course it’s not just churches that are targeted. Many older houses can have a lot of lead flashing on their roofs which can be a target for thieves as well. So, what can you do to help safeguard yours?

It’s important to find a good roofing supplier such as Ashbrook Roofing Supplies and Materials. They sell all of the necessary fixtures and fittings to secure your lead flashing to your roof. This in turn makes it more difficult for thieves to steal it. Everything that you need can be bought online, saving you a trip to the shops!

Another thing you can do to safeguard lead flashing on your home is to install spikes which are embedded in concrete. This is a popular approach with many churches as it makes it more difficult for thieves to steal the lead. You may want to check with your local council that you’re not breaking any laws in doing this.

Anti-climb paint is also a good option as this will make it more difficult for thieves to steal the flashing. Just remember that the law states that this kind of paint can only be applied to areas that are least two metres above the ground.

Finally, make sure that your roof isn’t easily accessible. Putting ladders away in a locked garage, parking your car further away from your house to stop thieves from climbing onto your car and then onto the roof, as well as moving any other objects away that could make it easier for thieves to climb onto your roof.

Taking these precautions should help to safeguard your lead flashing.

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