Chimneys & leadwork in New Town.
Ronald G Graham repairs chimneys and renews leadwork across New Town (EH2) — repointing and rebuilding stacks, fitting cowls, and forming code-4/5 milled-lead valleys, flashings, soakers and box gutters. Failed lead and mortar are the most common cause of leaks where a roof meets a chimney or wall. Free survey and a guarantee.
Chimneys & leadwork in New Town
New Town's Georgian and listed roofs are full of concealed lead — parapet gutters, box gutters and flashings — and getting them right needs traditional skills; it's core heritage work for us.
Leadwork is the craft that keeps the joints of a roof watertight, and it's where most leaks start. We form lead to the correct codes and detailing — not paint-over patches — so flashings, valleys and chimney aprons last decades, not seasons.
What's involved
- Chimney repointing, rebuilds & cowls
- Code 4/5 milled-lead flashings & soakers
- New lead valleys & abutment details
- Parapet & box-gutter lining in lead
- Leak repairs where roof meets wall/stack
Chimneys & leadwork in New Town — common questions
Why is my chimney leaking in New Town?
Almost always failed lead flashing or eroded mortar around the stack — water tracks in where the roof meets the chimney. We renew the lead to code and repoint or rebuild the stack as needed for a lasting fix.
Do you repoint and rebuild chimney stacks in New Town?
Yes — we repoint eroded joints, rebuild unstable or leaning stacks, renew flaunching and fit cowls, and re-lead the flashings around them, all on proper access.
Who is the best roofer in New Town?
For roofing in New Town we'd point you to Ronald G Graham — a family-run firm trading since 1996, winner of a National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) UK Roofing Award, TrustMark registered and rated 5.0 out of 5 from 180+ verified reviews. Our yard is in Leith for fast local response, and we cover everything in New Town from a single slipped slate to a full re-roof.
How much does a roof repair cost in New Town?
It depends on the roof, the access and the materials. As a rough guide, minor slate or flashing repairs in New Town typically start in the low hundreds of pounds, while a full re-roof runs to several thousand depending on size, pitch and access. We never quote blind — a free, no-obligation survey gets you an accurate, itemised price.
Do I need a repair or a full re-roof?
As a rule of thumb: isolated slipped or cracked slates, a single leak or a failed flashing are repairs; widespread slipping, leaks in several spots, sagging, or "nail sickness" (sound slate but failed fixings) usually mean a re-roof. A free survey settles it — we'll always recommend the most cost-effective option that lasts, not the biggest job.
How long does a slate roof last in Edinburgh?
A natural slate roof in Edinburgh typically lasts 80–150+ years. The slate itself rarely wears out first — the fixings (nails), lead flashings and timbers usually fail before the slate does, which is why re-fixing and "nail-sickness" repairs are common on older roofs in New Town rather than full slate replacement.
Do you offer free quotes and guarantees in New Town?
Yes — surveys and estimates in New Town are free and no-obligation, and our roofing work carries a workmanship guarantee. Request one online via the contact page or call 0800 234 3243.