Opinion on this leadwork please

[devopete]

Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice about what to do about a builder who I reckon has done a bit of a bodge job with some lead cladding we've had done.
The builders on the whole have been fine with an extension they've built, but I'm not happy with the lead cladding. Despite me complaining about it they are dragging their heals and have not replied to a couple of emails asking for them to replace it using a qualified lead professional. I would just like an opinion as to what may have gone wrong and whether or not it can be sorted without pulling it down and starting again.

As you can see from the pictures the cladding comes away from the wall and in warm weather it expands and bows probably about 30mm from the wall. As it cools it contracts again and pulls itself back to the wall. It was done about a month ago and is already showing signs of crease marks where it bows and goes back again. To me the whole thing is shoddy and I'd obviously like it redoing. My main concern is that the builder will try and convince me to get him to fix the problem without replacing it, so I'd like to arm myself with some expert info about the overall look of the work by more specifically about whether or not it is fixable and if so how?
Many thanks.

 

[noseall]

I'm totally baffled by all of it. Who in their right mind clads a wall with lead?

Regardless, the lead-work is garbage and probably the wrong code. It looks like my niece has done it. Strip it, then weigh it in and use the money to furnish the wall with something more suitable.

 

[devopete]

Thanks for your honest opinion. I was initially sceptical when he suggested lead cladding but agreed as I thought it was different and it had a more natural feel than zinc or aluminium. That aside it's good (if not a bit of a headache) to get confirmation of my thoughts regarding the quality of the lead work. I'm not really sure what to do next but luckily we haven't paid for everything yet so I guess there's a bit of bargaining to be had.

 

[stuart45]

Are you in Ireland?

 

[devopete]

No, I'm in Scotland.

 

[Exedon]

Vertical lead cladding is most certainly a 'thing' I've done many tonnes of it in past.
Unfortunately without probably removing one of panels it's difficult to say how well it's been done.
By the nature off the beast all fixings are secret and hidden.
To give you some idea look on line for associated lead craftsmanship guide it gives basic layout for normal technique for vertical panels

 

[Koolpc]

Easy for lead thieves that!

 

[Exedon]

Easy for lead thieves that!

Correctly fixed its not! has to have multiple fixings normally including stainless clips. To my knowledge non of the vertical leadwork I've done has ever been stolen.

 

[Koolpc]

Correctly fixed its not! has to have multiple fixings normally including stainless clips. To my knowledge non of the vertical leadwork I've done has ever been stolen.

Guess it depends on how badly they want it!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I'm totally baffled by all of it. Who in their right mind clads a wall with lead?

Do you ever build anything that isn't just plain old bricks and mortar?

 

[noseall]

Do you ever build anything that isn't just plain old bricks and mortar?

Lots. But lead? On vulnerable elevations? Bonkers. And its not all that pretty or behaves all that well.

I have leaded small dormer sides and we have a (code 6) lead roof done.

 

[devopete]

We addressed a lot of the points mentioned - theft, how it looks, weathering etc, but agreed to have it done because I thought it would look interesting. Had the builder done it properly I would have been happy but as you can see it's rough as a badger's chuff. I've since done a bit of research and they should have used strips of copper or stainless steel nailed to the ply underneath then folded into the seams (as in the illustration). What happens next is tricky. If I insist he strip it & do it again using a professional lead worker then he might walk away. I could as noseall says strip it & weigh it in and go for something else - probably zinc. I don't really know what to do. One thing for sure though, I'm certainly not going to agree to have some sort of repair done - the whole thing is coming down come what may.

 

[Deluks]

Wait for someone to nick it then claim on the house insurance.

 

[stuart45]

That's a really specialised job. Traditionally done by the plumber, but nowadays leadwork has become a separate trade, as a lot of plumbers had no interest in taking on leadwork.

 

[ree]

The best way of doing vertical lead cladding would be to use Preformed Panels - essentially, you use a 25mm ply panel of manageable size. The panel has cleats fixed on the back, the cleats hook over timber grounds - think tile hanging.
The lead sheet is turned behind the panel edges, & then fixed to the ply panel using copper nails - and/or front face fixed, custom lead dots or domes (a sort of screw cap).
Preformed cladding panels can look best with a reasonable, leaded side gap - the side gap, strip panels are a bit too difficult to explain without sketches.

There's more details involved but its a relatively simple job.
The cladding in the above pics could be removed & re-fixed using preformed panels - but no matter how fixed there will always be some lead movement during strong sunlight.

Well done OP for having a go at something different