Roof zinc work in Auderghem
Zinc work covers everything done with zinc on a roof: the valleys collecting water between two slopes, the flashings around chimneys and dormers, the junctions against walls, the box gutters and downpipes. It's discreet, but it's often where leaks start. We've been doing zinc work in Auderghem and the surrounding communes for more than 25 years: new installation, repair, or complete replacement. The quality of the soldering matters enormously: a botched solder gives way after a few winters, good zinc work lasts decades. 10-year workmanship guarantee.
What does this zinc work involve
Roof zinc work covers all the zinc pieces (sometimes aluminium or copper) that keep things watertight wherever the covering meets something else: a wall, a chimney, a dormer, another slope.
The main elements:
- Valleys: channels formed at the angle between two roof slopes that collect runoff water
- Flashings: zinc strips laid at the junction between the covering and a wall or chimney
- Junctions: cladding around roof windows, ventilation outlets, aerials
- Box gutters: gutters built into the roof (as opposed to the cornice gutters on the facade)
When should zinc work be redone or repaired
The first warning is often a damp patch on an interior wall high up in the house, or in a corner of the attic. Water passing through a damaged flashing or a pierced valley doesn't necessarily flow in a straight line; it can travel tens of centimetres before appearing on a ceiling.
Other signals: zinc that ripples or lifts, visible rust on the edges of a valley, a box gutter overflowing even in moderate rain. On an old house in Auderghem, if no one has looked at the zinc work in over 20 years, a preventive check is reasonable: not necessarily because it's leaking, but because zinc has a lifespan and it's better to anticipate.
If you're having your slate or tile covering redone, it's the right moment to check and redo the zinc work at the same time. Coming back twice costs more than doing everything in one pass.
Why zinc work degrades
Zinc works with temperature: it expands in the heat, contracts in the cold. On well-fitted pieces with the necessary expansion joints, that movement is absorbed. On zinc work that's too rigid or badly fixed, the repeated movements end up opening the solders or shifting the edges.
Oxidation also plays a role. Natural zinc develops a grey patina that protects it. But with pollution or moss, that patina forms poorly and the zinc oxidises prematurely. Near blocked gutters, standing water accelerates corrosion further.
Original installation errors are a frequent cause we see on houses 20 to 30 years old: zinc laid too tight, insufficient soldering, flashings simply glued with mastic without mechanical fixing. It holds for a few years, then it gives.
What makes the price of zinc work vary
The scope of the work varies enormously by roof. Redoing one chimney flashing is half a day. Replacing all the valleys and box gutters of a large villa is several days.
Access is an important factor: a valley at the bottom of the slope, reachable from simple scaffolding, costs less to treat than a valley at the top of a steep roof with difficult access.
The chosen material counts too. Natural zinc (zinc-titanium) is the standard: good durability, nice patina. Coated aluminium costs less but doesn't solder the same way. Copper is more expensive, lasts a very long time, but is mostly used on buildings with character.
Finally, if covering work is needed at the same time, the travel and setup costs are shared, which is more economical than two separate jobs.
See also: Slate roof · Gutters & cornices · Roof repair
Frequently asked questions
Can a valley be repaired without touching the covering?
In most cases, yes. We lift the slates or tiles along the valley, redo or repair the zinc, and re-lay the covering. It's common for localised leaks.
What is the lifespan of zinc on a roof?
Good zinc-titanium work, well fitted, easily lasts 40 to 50 years, sometimes more. Lower-quality or badly soldered zinc work can fail in 10 to 15 years. The difference usually comes down to how the expansion joints were handled and the quality of the solders.
We can see rust on our zinc gutters: does everything need replacing?
Not necessarily. If the rust is on the surface and the zinc is still thick, a treatment and suitable paint can extend the gutters' life. If the walls are pierced or very thin, replacement is more honest. We look and tell you what we see.
Is zinc work covered by the 10-year guarantee?
Yes, workmanship is guaranteed for 10 years; that includes zinc work. Materials carry the manufacturer's warranty.
Can zinc work be done at the same time as a slate roof renovation?
Yes, and it's often recommended. See also our slate roof in Auderghem page if your covering is involved.