Various balcony lead connections

• If there are any defects in the bed joint above the lead strip, we recommend repairing the bed joint. Where necessary, deepen the joint sufficiently, remove debris and loose material, and repair the joint in accordance with the existing work.
• If there are any defects in the lead flashing on your balcony/roof terrace, repairs are often possible. This can be done by patching cracks in the flashing with self-adhesive bitumen tape, available at any hardware store. As long as repairs are possible, we recommend postponing replacement. Replacing lead flashing isn't easy!
• It's also possible that the lead strip on the balcony/roof terrace (lead visible from the brickwork or mounted under the window frames) will come loose from the joint. Because replacement is not easy, professional repair is recommended. If repair is no longer possible, the lead strips will eventually need to be replaced.
  • In masonry, the best solution for replacing the lead is to remove strips of brick so that the lead can be installed in the cavity wall against the inner leaf. Another solution would be to grind the lead into a joint at least 4 cm deep . If installing under a window frame, a professional is recommended.

A worthwhile article/blog about lead strips , defects, consequences, and leaks resulting from defective lead strips. These issues are, of course, inspected during a building inspection .

• There's always a connection between the balcony/roof terrace floor and the house's facade. This connection is usually made waterproof with a lead strip (foot lead). This lead runs through the cavity wall of the facade and is attached to the inner leaf . Rainwater absorbed by the facade and seeping down is thus forced out. If this foot lead is not present, it must be installed.
  • For masonry, the best solution is to remove strips of brick so that the lead can be installed in the cavity against the inner leaf. Another solution would be to grind the lead at least 4 cm deep into a joint. If installing under a window frame, a professional is recommended.
• The lead on a balcony/roof terrace (lead visible from the brickwork or mounted under the window frames) is often too high and then hangs (or rests) too much on the floor of the balcony/roof terrace. Due to water creep and capillary action, there is then an increased risk of water ingress and/or leakage in the cavity or at this connection. Correcting this is easily achieved by shortening the lead height.
  • Lead can easily be cut and 'torn off' with a utility knife.
  • Always place a piece of board under the lead to be cut!
• The same lead strips on the balcony/roof terrace (lead visible from the brickwork or mounted under the window frames) can also be too long. The strips may have a maximum length of 1 meter and must overlap by at least 8 cm . Materials are subject to weathering. If they are too long, there is insufficient space to accommodate the shrinkage or expansion. This causes the material to crack more quickly, leading to defects. Once the lead strip has been installed in this way, there's little you can do other than accept it. This does shorten the material's lifespan, and the lead strip will need to be replaced sooner than usual.