Chimney soaker's replacement demonstration video

A detailed how to replace the soakers around the bottom of a chimney video.
When the soakers below the stepped lead flashings around the bottom of a chimney become corroded and develop holes penetrating damp and leaks inside the home can be the result.
This is likely to cause ugly yellow staining and damage to the plasterwork and decorating in the rooms below.
In this video, Danny from DJI High Access Services shows how the chimney soakers work and what to do when they need replacing.
From start to finish Danny tells us about how he diagnoses the leaking chimney problem, how to strip back the roof tiles to access the chimney soakers, how to remove the old chimney soakers, how to cut the new lead to form new chimney soakers and then how to reinstate the roof.
Danny's company DJI High Access Services is a specialised roof and chimney repair company based in Nottinghamshire, for more details regarding the services the company provides please visit there website www.dji-uk.co.uk/

[@spudinho1]

"On the roof's the only place I know where you just have to wish to make it so" [the Drifters] If only it was that simple! Thanks for a really instructive video. Amazing what you can do with one hand on a roof!

[@SheenaRea]

Nice work, very informative!

[@raftonpounder6696]

Excellent job. You’re clearly someone who can be trusted to do a damn good job.

[@alekjuskevice]

Great explanation, thank you!

[@mindspirit179]

Very well presented and very informative.

[@dannyiwan7566]

Thank you 👍

[@leesmelden6144]

Gods bless you always, great job.Love the video 👍

[@dannyiwan7566]

Thank you very much 👍

[@seanwalker1972]

Excellent video dude real good work!

[@davidjulien236]

Nice demonstration and really appreciated cheers pal.

[@mileswhite8004]

Great instructional educational video, thanks.

[@twotone3070]

Quality video given the working situation.

[@mattcope8982]

Amazing isn't it? Tradesmen sometimes get a really bad reputation AND THEN this guy appears and restores your faith... great video, thank you for explaining it all clearly and using plain English....

[@dannyiwan7566]

Thank you for your kind words 👍

[@DelTheTope]

Excellent, clear information in a well put together video. Thanks for taking the time to help inform us non roofers!

[@deconteesawyer5758]

Good to see we can just lay those tiles in position and they will stay there all on their own without having to bother with all that troublesome nailing.

[@dannymurphy1779]

Great explanation and demonstration, would love to see more of these!

[@dannyiwan7566]

Thank you, I will do them when I can I am pleased you found it helpful.

[@AyupStuggy]

Fantastic video, one of the best for this issue. Thanks for posting it.

[@danking8379]

Thank you ! Youve just solved a problem ive had for 2 years

[@metalman4141]

Excellent job

[@JimiHendrix998]

Thank you. Great Video...

[@yvonnemitchell1744]

This could be the trouble i am having in one of the bed rooms , many thanks .

[@jonathanmawdesley-thomas1863]

What a great Video , thank u .

[@joycewilson3354]

Legend of awsomeness

[@Nosweat99]

Good show, Gov!

[@leehotspur9679]

Very well explained and a pleasure to listen to The camera work was also great Thanks for sharing Job well done Subbed and liked

[@Falco45able]

Good job fella!👍

[@dannyiwan7566]

Thank you

[@jblondon1327]

Thank you. Homeowners need to know things like these so they can easily spot the cowboys

[@angelbahena9723]

Good job 👏

[@nochainsliving5781]

brilliant vid bro

[@dannyiwan7566]

Thank you

[@terryjamesneilyoung1799]

Great vid cheers!!

[@dannyiwan7566]

Thank you 👍

[@hennagal7360]

Brilliant thanks 👍🏻

[@mooseyman74]

This should be on TV

[@summeriwanejko1939]

That's my dad

[@mooseyman74]

He is a credit to KZbin 👍🏻

[@michealbreathnach2928]

​@@summeriwanejko1939 He is a proper roofer. Really knows his stuff

[@Tez73]

Brilliant pal you def know your job

[@dannyiwan7566]

Thank you 👍

[@mohanlalmistry5435]

I thought your video and explanation and demonstration was excellent. I’m no builder but I totally get it with your explanation and it makes complete sense. I have exactly the same problem over the bedroom ceiling where there was a bit of damp and yellowish stain. I called endless people who have ripped me off and the latest one came last week and he just put some sealant around the lead flashing on the chimney and just said it was coming away and it should do the trick. After watching your video I am personally convinced it’s probably the soakers as you have shown. To be honest I’m a bit sick of being ripped off continually by guys who have stated they have been in the roofing game for 25 years or so so you’d think they should know what they are doing but sadly it doesn’t appear so. I have a bungalow so it’s really easy to get to the chimney so no problems there.and it s only a small chimney so am thinking about getting checked again for the soakers and may get it pointed aswell.I’m in Bradford so it’s a shame you’re not up in this part of the world . Just wondered if you had a very rough idea of what it should cost so I am more prepared. After watching you video mine doesn’t seem that complex at all and easy to get to. The guy last week did it without me being there so I’ve no idea what he really did which was a shame. I’m really glad I’ve watched your video which again I have to say was excellent. I don’t feel it’s complicated and I can’t believe I can’t find a decent person to sort it out and lost out on good money paying these folk out. It all gets a bit tiring and you do lose faith , hopefully on the next occasion it will be properly sorted. Thanks I feel I have really learnt something here and it has been really helpful. If your ever in this part of the world on other jobs you would be welcome to have a go.

[@robertevans9897]

Sounds awful I'm a bricklayer living in swansea all my life one of the wettest places in the world I've built loads of chimneys here and never had one leak it's all about flashings and a tray

[@RobertJones-xj5bp]

Good info 👍🏻

[@peted450]

Get a tri pod to hold camera for hands free recording.👍 nice video

[@crocusinmaymay2835]

The customer was mad not having that step flashing replaced whilst you were up there.

[@MRAlan7460]

100%agree

[@dannyiwan7566]

The customer just wanted the leak stopped for the lowest price possible, and I did that for them. I could have looked closely at the roof and recommend hundreds of pounds worth of additional work that would be of benefit but I didn't because that's not what they wanted.

[@MrTomcruise99]

@@dannyiwan7566 hello, please where are you based?.I need help with similar problem

[@dannyiwan7566]

@modren eric I am Nottinghamshire based

[@MrTomcruise99]

@@dannyiwan7566 am based in Alfreton. De 55 7hu

[@mikelloyd75]

Excellent video and very informative. Would have liked to have seen what you would have done at the rear of the chimney which is where we have a problem. Otherwise thanks.

[@PaulSmith-fl5zf]

Interesting. I was taught by Master Builder uncle to place all soakers over the weekend battens to form a continuous chanel. Makes more sense to me than this hit and miss method.

[@fredrickvoncold]

thats an interesting tile roof . I would like to have seen the tile installed .

[@dannyiwan7566]

These tiles are very easy to install, they simply hook onto the lats.

[@mominforeva]

Great video,I spend 200 twice,water still leak on seling when heavy rain.so I need replace sokars,I tell my rofer.thanks

[@denverscott37]

What you're calling soakers, we call step or sub flashing. The lead flashing that you see on the chimney, we call counter flashing.. it looks like the chimney doesn't have dog ears? Where the steps end and the back pan sticks out passed the sides of the chimney, usually between 4 and 6 inches.. I like the way you guys put your counters in as one piece, we make individual counters, then solder the seems. .

[@patlondon1]

Great video and very informative. I have a similar problem with water coming through onto the chimney breast and rafters and on the wall on either side. on a new roof. Could this be due to an issue with soakers or lack of?

[@dannyiwan7566]

It is definitely possible, but I would imagine the soakers would have been replaced if the roof is new.

[@patlondon1]

Also, as a process of illumination do you think a damp chimney breast, rafters and walls either could be caused as the walls need pointing?

[@dannyiwan7566]

@patlondon1 yes, poor pointing can definitely cause penitrating damp within chimneys.

[@preseli6975]

I,m getting damp marks on my ceiling below, so looks like the soakers are one of my problems, hoping to have a complete chimney stack rebuild later this year if it stops raining.

[@dannyiwan7566]

It definitely sounds like it is an issue with the flashings from the description of the damp marks location. Good luck, I hope you get it sorted 👍

[@mikestubbs8733]

That stepped flashing method can sometimes be the problem. Using individual flashings to cover soakers is easier to do and you get a decent side lap of flashing over soakers.

[@imranb4985]

Hi Danny, love your work. We need some work doing on our chimney. Do you do the West Midlands area?

[@dannyiwan7566]

Hello, Yes I can work in the West Midlands, although it is to far to me to come to quote the work. If you would like to send me pictures of the problem I can give you an estimated quote from them. 07776306399

[@MrVM41]

How much should this job cost to get done?

[@antonyotley6085]

What was the price of this ? Ive got damp patches on the inside Joyces of my chimney but no actual sign of water ingress as of yet

[@Viperandy]

Brilliant video mate : very helpfull undead .. many thanks .. andy

[@MrTomcruise99]

Hello Danny, i have similiar problem. Are you able to help. Am base in Alfreton

[@Elfin4]

7.35 - Numerous splits in the stepped lead flashings though, they should have been replaced so its not as watertight as you may think.

[@dannyiwan7566]

The splits in the flashing were pointed out in the video but my object was to stop the leak which was successfully achieved by replacing the soakers.

[@pauldurdan1549]

Driving rain will get behind the soakers against the brickwork. Flashing is shot, so is the flashing joints.

[@arsecheese51]

@@pauldurdan1549 luckily he took a nice video of what’s going on up there and the CUSTOMER can decide if he wants the work done, not you.

[@mikeliv8827]

Thank you very much for such an informative video ,as I currently have the same problem of small drips of water entering my loft via the chimmney. Thing is, I did not understand until I watched your video the relationship between stepped flashing and soakers, but I do now, so thank you once again. I was thinking I might try and repair the leak from inside my loft by daubing the roofing felt with a bitumen type sealant, but on looking at your video that would not be a permanent solution.

[@dannyiwan7566]

Hi Mike, That kind of repair might get you out of the s##t for a little while, but you're right it's not something you could consider a permanent fix. But if you are struggling to get a roofer or if money is tight and you need a repair to tide you over, it is certainly worth giving it a try.

[@Neilrgoddard]

Excellent job sir! May I ask How much should I be expecting to pay a tradesman to do this work? Cheers 👍

[@dannyiwan7566]

Hi Neil, Personally I would charge around £450 + vat which would include the materials and access to the chimney with a cherrypicker. This price might vary depending on weather or not your roofer uses ladders and crawlers or needs scaffolding to do the job. So I wouldn't like to speak on behalf of other companies and say what they should charge.

[@Neilrgoddard]

@@dannyiwan7566 Thank you for your thoughts. I fully understand what your saying. We may have a similar problem to your video on soakers on a converted garage that has stepped flashing joining the main house. What would you think the cost for this would be? Sorry to be a pain in asking. Lots of shall we say not so honest people out there 🤣

[@dannyiwan7566]

It's really hard for me to say because I price my jobs depending on how much I would like for the job, and I never look at what other people are charging. I think the best bet is to get two or three opinions from local tradesman, then go with the person you feel will do what they say they are going to do for the price you feel is fair.

[@ranat5526]

The Tin Man only wanted a heart!

[@Leo060708]

Do you remove chimney stacks and do you cover Mansfield?

[@dannyiwan7566]

Yes I might be able to help you with that.

[@gav44]

Hi. How would you apply flashing to a pitched roof that is butted up against pebbledashed wall?

[@dannyiwan7566]

Hi gav, It's hard to say without seeing the job but generally you can't go wrong if you cut a deep enough grove into the wall using a grinder (at least 20mm deep) so you can slide the lead into the wall, then dress it and seal it. A nice cheat in my opinion when securing the lead into the grove is to use hall clips (Google them if unsure), and I like to seal it with lead mate or flash point because it won't crack after a few months.

[@gav44]

DJI High Access Services Thanks for getting back to me. Keep up the good work fella 👍

[@philipoakley5498]

The replacement soakers didn't look to have much overlap with the next tile's bottom edge once the first tile was placed over it. How much overlap is properly required?

[@dannyiwan7566]

I would say a minimum of 100mm

[@stevenchow408]

Did you nail the slate back in. Or without

[@dannyiwan7566]

No, these clay tiles have lungs on the back of them which hold them in place. If you are doing this with slates you would need to secure them with a fixing. I generally use small screws because nailing old slates sometimes damages them or the old lats below.

[@BillsAllotmentDiary]

How much does it cost to have this done? We had the ridge tiles replaced for a dry ridge system which we are currently looking to take legal action against the alleged roofer due to them bodging the job and not sorting it. We have now noticed that the chimney breast up in the loft is wet and as they caused damage round there feel that this is a direct consequence of the bodged work. We have been unable to get other roofers to check the work as they don't want the liability so thinking we may have to approach our insurance company but don't know if cowboy work will be covered. You got any advice?? Cheers.

[@tinkletoesrus]

depends on what area you are inand how big the chimney is what is on the roof tiles or slates ect ect.

[@elliotcowan9442]

Silly question, but I’ve never filed a roof: shouldn’t there we some nails or racks to hold those tiles in place?

[@dannyiwan7566]

The tiles do have holes for nails, and every now and again, there is a row of nailed tiles. I never nail them though because it makes roofs much harder to repair (and I am a repair man) and you never see this type of tile fall off the roof due to a lack of nails.

[@SamNewman-tt3mj]

Would damaged Flashing cause the rods next to the chimney rot as we have a leak and someone said the Flashing as already had chimney reharled and water leak still coming very small but still coming and rods rotten and no felt as rods not there. What is the rough cost to replace Flashing and put new rods for bitchumen or membrane its just next to one side of Chimney exactly as in your vid? thanks

[@dannyiwan7566]

Hi Sam, I am not sure what you mean

[@paultweedley2026]

Is that code 4 lead used for soakers ? Thanks

[@dannyiwan7566]

Code 3 or code 4 is fine, anything is better than the wafer thin tin you will likely strip out.

[@paulgiblin807]

If its my neibours chimney. Does the cost go to them? We don't share the chimney. But his is leaking into my roof

[@dannyiwan7566]

The cost would go to whoever asked me to do the job or whoever has agreed to have the work done. But it is highly unlikely your neighbours chimney is causing your leak, unless its a flashings issue on your side. The way I look at it, if your the person with the problem its you who needs to get it sorted out, unless the chimney/roof poses you a danger in which case contact the council.

[@georgeburch9176]

So who do I call if I have water leaking down my chimney do I need a roof or chimney specialist I have a damp patch in my back bedroom and got a guy in to rerender my stack and he coated it in water proof paint but still getting water in ,don't want to call the guy back if he isn't up to the job.and how much would it cost for new soakers.

[@dannyiwan7566]

Sounds like you need someone to fix your flashings, a roofer should be able to do that for you. I can't say how much it should cost because there are lots of different factors to take into account.

[@tinkletoesrus]

did you oil the soakers ?

[@dannyiwan7566]

No

[@peakyblinder2847]

How about the ripped lead flashing

[@scrufybitnflufykitn]

forget about it, he fit the soakers underneath the ripped parts to catch the rain

[@pa1668]

do you do work in Enfield north London as i need this type of work done

[@dannyiwan7566]

I am afraid not, sorry.

[@dannyiwan7566]

That is a bit far for me I'm afraid. Sorry

[@johnjames5666]

HJR roofing :) broxbourne

[@mikenelson6189]

How much would a job like this cost roughly?

[@thomasgrey6191]

about £300 I see people commenting £150 but I don't know any roofer who would do this for £150 and I'm a roofer also

[@clifflowther9056]

Can I just ask how much a professional (you) would normally charge for a job like this?

[@shaunlucas3810]

Around the 200 mark. Personally I would have changed the step flashing and soakers for around the 200 mark

[@clifflowther9056]

@@shaunlucas3810 many thanks Shaun …

[@robertevans9897]

Lovely but if the chimneys aren't live the water can soak down through the stack then you need to rebuild with a tray

[@paulperrin2152]

Why don't they cut the vertical cuts at 90 degrees of the lead flashing ??

[@MotorClassics]

I was just pondering that funnily enough and it would be to encourage water to get onto the main lead gutter / flashing by taking advantage of the coanda effect. In obverse, imagine water running down stairs, if square cut it would run from one tread then another and get more and more the further down it got due to more water joining as it runs down the chimney. In reality, it must make a trivial difference and is more decorative.

[@RichieRich870]

It doesn't work like that. The cut runs from where the top edge of the lead meets the mortar, to the water line, which is very rarely if ever 90⁰ . The water line is commonly 65mm from the bottom edge of the lead .

[@clinteastwood8230]

If you cut it 90c it will leak where it meets together on the motar joint

[@summeriwanejko1939]

HELLO EVERYONE THIS IS MY DAD

[@PaulSmith-fl5zf]

Ignore the weekend bit, it just popped itself in there, lol

[@aylasworld818]

How much would that job cost ? Please advise

[@dannyiwan7566]

Around £450 ish

[@aylasworld818]

Thank you so much pal I think i have the same problem Had 2 roofers work on my chimney but leak still there but now after your video I have a good idea what the issue might be.

[@dannyiwan7566]

@@aylasworld818 great, glad I could help

[@carolsloanes4938]

Could you give a rough idea of the cost of this repair job, thanks

[@mick949]

150.00 tops

[@mick949]

that would include code4 6inch step flashing as well.

[@Known-unknowns]

I do this for a living. No way would I go up there for £150 inc lead. £300 inc a simple new lead cover strip.

[@clinteastwood8230]

@@Known-unknowns your right there as you got tax and materials to come if the 150 . So your looking at 3m roll of lead we say 25 pounds and tax Be like 100 quid not worth it if there two of ya as well

[@thomasgrey6191]

@@mick949 no chance,more like £300- £350

[@onpointplastering]

Quality upload m8 got a sub and a like if only I had a voice for KZbin then maybe my uploads would be this good lol👍

[@dannyiwan7566]

That's very kind of you thank you. I wouldn't worry about your voice for you tube, I am shocked anyone has watched a man who looks like a scarecrow changing soakers. So just upload your videos if they help people will watch them 👍

[@robbie757]

Where are you based and what’s the company name 👍

[@dannyiwan7566]

Nottinghamshire - www.dji-uk.co.uk

[@Steph-wq9it]

So the cowboys that stripped my whole roof, re- lined, new batterns, put slates back & tucked the lining underneath the stepped lead in the wall, didn’t put soakers in. The chimney stacks didn’t get soakers either. I’ve been up there 4 times to replace slipping slates, now there appears to be a whole in the dormer roof, according to my neighbours. This was supposed to be a reputable company & all I get when asking WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING! 😡 It’s only been done 16 months 😢

[@johnblackburn7673]

I think those soakers are probably Zinc not tin

[@kazchapman]

All in one flashings are crap anyway, they don't give any coverage from the above step flashing, whereas with separate single step flashings you can give as much lap as you like

[@clinteastwood8230]

They do if done correctly

[@kazchapman]

@@clinteastwood8230 how?

[@gregoryvelikovsky5018]

That chimney doesn't have a cricket behind it - big no-no

[@philipmaule6512]

Tin soakers

[@louisrendall4238]

Waterline to low on the step flashing, so better to replace step flashing to make a waterproof job. Soaker length should be gauge plus lap plus 25mm to turn over tile. Soaker need to be approximately 75mm high, best not to copy what's there because it was wrong!

[@dannyiwan7566]

The job wasn't wrong, the customer wanted there leak fixing, the work carried out did that. To date this repair is roughly 4 years old, it still doesn't leak and the soakers won't until they are replaced with the rest of the roof. Nobody is impressed that you can regurgitate some measurement from a Collins DIY manual or some other source, the people watching this video want to find out why there chimney is leaking and how to potentially solve it.

[@louisrendall4238]

@@dannyiwan7566 No intention to annoy, 45years in the trade as a plumber doing leadwork and have seen far too many small soakers, just thought you would like to know how to work out the correct size for soakers.

[@johnbowkett5920]

I'm a 65 year old bricklayer . When I first started , plumbers did ALL the leadwork on chimneys and roofs . A lot of roofers don't know enough about leadwork , and the theories behind leadwork to do it properly .

[@Roofer89]

Should of replaced the step flashing mate

[@benkimber8285]

Should have charged for 1, complete repointing of chimney. 2, new flashing 3, replace blown bricks 4, soakers. Happy days. £1900plus vat weeks work sorted

[@johnbowkett5920]

£1.900 and a weeks work ?? You give builders a bad name mate .

[@benkimber8285]

@@johnbowkett5920 that’s what’s funny. You tell me what successful business that does “fair” trade. You think tesco pay anywhere near the money the sell the product to you for? Don’t he stupid. If you earn peanuts you be scratching around till your 65

[@johnbowkett5920]

@@benkimber8285 I am 65 . Still laying bricks . Mortgage paid on my nice home , in a great place . I live very well . You won't get to my position charging your outrageous prices . Not even 2 days work there ... you must be very slow , and spend most the day getting drunk in the pub , telling your mates what a great roofer you are , and how you scam old people . Met loads of your type in the past . Have a good life COWBOY ! 😂

[@benkimber8285]

@@johnbowkett5920 good for you John. Glad things have gone how you would like. All I need is one a month and I’m sorted 🤪😂

[@bengun1]

If only I could get a proper professional instead of all the cowboys pretending to be roofers bodging and scarpering. Got charged £600 to fix a leak, one hour later was told it was finished.....It was still leaking of course....

[@mattcope8982]

Who thumb downed this video btw?

[@jblondon1327]

All the cowboy roofers

[@philipmaule6512]

Its not step flashing its cover flsshing

[@mick949]

no its deffo a step flashing

[@ryanthibeau6586]

Half the shit this guy did is a wast of time

[@dannyiwan7566]

Which half? 🤷‍♂️🤣

[@ryanthibeau6586]

I apologise I don't know why I said that I am not a fan with how they use 2 piece to flash the chimney I step each course of the flashing with one piece of lead ground into the mortar joint to my way of thinking it is way better way of keeping the chimney water tight because if one of the two pieces of lead fail u have a leak just like you had to deal with

[@RichieRich870]

@@ryanthibeau6586 interesting . do you mean you have like an extended soaker with each one tucked into a mortar joint ?

[@ryanthibeau6586]

@@RichieRich870 yea each brick has its own piece of lead up the sides I like to them 12 to 14 inches and you just put a piece of lead for Evey course and for the front of the chimney I use 12 inch lead an grind out the mortar on the 2nd course then span the lead so it 6 in past each side then bend over flat up the side an onto the roof then when u start the Frist one going up the side run it 3 in past the side an fold over front face when you get to the top repeat the same step for Frist pieces an fold it on back side an then use full piece across back an fold over lead coming up the sides done rite it will never leak I am from the US I have never seen your way done out here not that you're way is wrong it just seems like more work to do it your way is all

[@johnbowkett5920]

@@ryanthibeau6586 Millions of Victorian housing stock in Britain , all done this way ... and you try to say we've got it wrong ? ..... Keep to putting men on the moon , and fighting the Chinese ! 😂

[@Mike-kn1ik]

Proper cowboy

[@dannyiwan7566]

Yee-haw 🤣

[@loplap6516]

Excellent job

[@dannyiwan7566]

Cheers 👍