"Flashing" the Roof

No, it's not what you think... Flashing in the building world is fairly mundane - not a trench-coat in sight... Anyway - flashing is a waterproofing element that typically prevents water from seeping in between the joint of a roof and a wall. It's actually quite tricky because water is a rather mischievous thing and is the scourge of buildings, builders and architects everywhere. In a brick building with a sloped roof the flashing is even trickier because one has to put it at an angle and then cut openings in a step-like pattern in between the bricks for a single sheet of lead to be inserted into. That lead wraps over another element that is typically coming from the roof itself and when they are combined, water can't get in (almost like a yin/yang arrangement). It's a very meticulous and time-consuming process and if you're slightly off with your measurements & cuts it won't fit (as I found out the hard way) It's probably easier to explain with the photos:

May 3rd - The step-like openings between the bricks and the ends of the waterproof membranes

Before cutting the steps into the lower half of the wall (a dirty, messy job)

A piece of flashing (known as "Code 4") that is being cut after the measurements made

The lead flashing in place to verify the cuts are correct (if it's slightly off, it won't work as I discovered)

Bending the lead into the correct shape (playing with lead is kinda fun)

The finished piece of lead flashing

The lead put into place overlapping membranes and the "soakers". Soakers are small 10" pieces of bent stainless steel (shaped like an "L") that site between the slates and prevent water from getting in. The edges of the lead are tucked into the brick openings and wedged into place.

May 4th - The flashing at the bottom with the "soakers" and membrane exposed above

Now that area has its flashing

May 5th & 6th - Around the corner and almost at the top. Here, a chemical patina has been applied which prevents the lead from discoloring and staining the slates.