Why Do Builders Use Lead For Roofs

If the lead flashing is not installed perfectly it can widen cracks in the foundations of a home because of its density and weight.

Why do builders use lead for roofs.

Although there is a good argument to use it l ead flashing places extra stress on the gutters and roofline of any house. Flashings can be found in many external areas of a house. Commonly found on older tenement roofs particularly steeply pitched mansard roofs and above bay and oriel windows. Chimney dormer window skylight vents and roof valleys will all have a flashing where they join or disappear through the roof.

Porches walls doors and windows even the foundations but the most common area is the roof. Investigative work carried out on warm roofs covered in lead has shown that in rare instances moisture can also be introduced by the development of sub atmospheric pressure in the roof space. The popularity of green roofs has increased in the united states due to their many benefits while pretty green roofs serve a much greater purpose than simple beautification. A roof is part of the building envelope.

When a hot roof surface is suddenly cooled by rain the pressure in the area between the vapour barrier and roof covering can fall below atmospheric. If you live in a listed building or in a conservation area you may be required to replace your roof with lead rather than other materials. Unlike traditional black tar roofs green roofs reduce energy costs by absorbing heat instead of attracting it and. Lead has a long life potentially over 100 years so it is value for money.

The characteristics of a roof are dependent upon the purpose of the building that it covers the available roofing. Mars metal provides sheet lead conforming to federal qq l 201f and qq l 171e and astm b 29 and b 749. Anything which rises through or joins to the roof will have a flashing. The earliest roofs constructed by man were probably thatched roofs that were made of straw leaves.

A green roof also known as a rooftop garden or a living roof is a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop. The use of lead for its unique properties dates way back in history with the romans utilising it to make water pipes because of its resistance to corrosion and ease to work with the latin word for the metal plumbum is the origin of the english word plumbing. Roof covering of the top of a building serving to protect against rain snow sunlight wind and extremes of temperature roofs have been constructed in a wide variety of forms flat pitched vaulted domed or in combinations as dictated by technical economic or aesthetic considerations. It should be noted that lead is not toxic to homeowners when used on their roof and it remains the most efficient and effective way to waterproof joints in roof construction.

The toxic effect of lead is cumulative and only affects those who handle it every day which is why roofers follow strict guidelines in its use. A roof is the top covering of a building including all materials and constructions necessary to support it on the walls of the building or on uprights providing protection against rain snow sunlight extremes of temperature and wind.