Today’s mission- a busy multi-fix job in Mapperley Park, Nottingham. clearing and repairing valleys, repointing brickwork, re-flaunching a chimney, tidying verge and ridge issues, and removing an old aerial. One street, lots of jobs, and a weather forecast that… lied. Let’s crack on.
Setting up on a tight street (and not blocking the neighbours)
When I quoted this a few weeks back, parking was a breeze.
Today? Jaguars and jam. Luckily the customer shifted their car and I could tuck the cherry picker in neatly without blocking the road. From that one position I could reach both rear valleys, the front brickwork, and the chimney, saves time, saves faff.
First stop: investigate the leaking valleys
From the basket I peered over the parapet and straight away found the usual suspects:
- Valley 1: vegetation and silt building a mini-dam. Outlet hopper clear, but the run-in was clogged solid guaranteed to back water up under the lead.
- Valley 2: mostly clean, but a distinct crack in the lead near a lap joint. That’ll do it.
Clear, dry, then diagnose
I cleared the debris, squeegeed the standing water off and let the surface dry. No fresh splits visible on the blocked valley, so the plan there was prevention: keep it clear and later add a coat of liquid waterproofing for belt-and-braces. On the cracked valley, I prepped for a proper lead patch rather than bodging with mastic.
Lead repair - a tidy patch where it counts
Out came a saved piece of good, sound lead (never bin decent offcuts!). I cut a new patch, slid it up under the lap, dressed it carefully, then reinstated the seam slates. Instead of peppering the lot with nails, I glued the reinstated slates after drying them, cleaner, kinder to the roof, and solid once cured. One small nail back in to hold the lap where it should be, the rest bonded.
(Side note: last week I proved Stanley knives are sharper than fingers. Today: extra careful. Use sharp blades, cut away from you, and respect the tool.)
Ridge & verge titivation
With the valley area sorted, I buttered up a loose ridge with flexible roof putty to stop wind-rattle and rain creep. On a verge end, there was a tidy little bird-sized gap perfect for nesting and penetrating damp, so I sealed that too. Small things, big difference.
Repointing the front brickwork
The front elevation had perished joints and a damp corner. I ground out the loose mortar, noticed an iffy bit of lead that looked like it had once been nicked or cut, then repointed the lot with a fresh, neat mortar. Repointing isn’t glamorous, but it’s what actually stops the water getting in.
Supply run - liquid waterproofing top-up
I nipped to Burton Roofing (formerly Rinus) for their lead/valley coating, same idea as Aquapol, solid stuff. A thin, even coat over clean, dry lead in the troublesome valley gives extra protection where ponding sometimes forms. Great insurance on old roofs with… “character.”
Chimney time: flaunching, pot, and be sensible
Up at the stack, the flaunching (the mortar that beds the pot and sheds water) was loose as anything. The pot itself was wobbly, not what you want above someone’s garden. I dismantled what was unsafe, kept what was sound (no point destroying solid work), and rebuilt the missing benching and flaunching around the protruding bricks. A couple of bricks on the corners had already started to drop, I re-bedded what I could and made it safe. The idea is stability first, longevity second, and no collateral damage to the softer brickwork.
While I was up there, I removed an old TV aerial that was doing nothing but snagging water and catching wind. One less problem for the future.
The cherry picker gremlins (and why we have rescue plans)
If you’ve followed my channel, you’ll know my machine’s at that “one thing after another” age: intermittent starter at height, occasional hose snags, moody sensors. Twice today I debated whether it would restart in the air. It did but I left it running between tasks after that. And yes, I have a proper rescue plan (it’s in my RAMS) that doesn’t involve summoning my wife from Stamford to twist a key!
Finishing touches & clean down
- Valley cleared, dried and coated.
- Lead patch dressed and slates reinstated.
- Ridge and verge sealed.
- Front brickwork repointed.
- Chimney re-flaunched, made safe, and tidied.
- Site swept, gutters emptied, and everything checked from a final basket pass.
Machine back on the trailer, customer happy, and the evening turned dry enough that the new flaunching will cure nicely. Job’s a good ’un.
Want me to take a look at yours?
If you’re in Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire and have leaking valleys, tired flaunching, crumbly pointing or you just need safe access to inspect a high area, give me a shout. The cherry picker makes these jobs quicker, safer, and more thorough.
If you enjoyed this write-up, you’ll like the full video too. Hit like and subscribe, drop me your questions in the comments, and I’ll see you on the next job. Cheers!
If you would like to purchase some Acrypol for yourself you can find it at our Amazon affiliates shopping page in our Roofers’ Emergency Leak Kit list
About DJI High Access Services Ltd
At DJI High Access Services Ltd, we specialise in high-access maintenance, from roofing and chimney work to specialist gutter repairs like this. Using our own tracked spider cherry picker, we can work safely and efficiently at height while minimising disruption.
If you need expert gutter cleaning, sealing, or repairs, get in touch today: 🌐 www.dji-uk.co.uk
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