How to Protect Your Home or Business Roof From Lead Theft

Lead theft is becoming a major problem for homeowners and businesses. Lead is an extremely valuable metal that can be used for a variety of applications, from roofing to plumbing to electrical wiring. Unfortunately, lead theft is on the rise and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to protect against it. In this article, we’ll discuss how to stop lead theft from roofs and other areas of your home or business.

The below video shows Phil Dalton carrying out a lead valley repair on a slate roof. It provides a good example of where thieves can steal lead from your property and the work that needs to go into repairing the roof.

Why Lead Theft is a Growing Problem

Lead theft is a growing problem in many communities. Lead is a valuable metal that can be used for a variety of purposes. It’s also relatively easy to steal since it’s relatively soft and malleable. And due to the high cost of selling lead in the UK, lead theft is big business. It’s attractive to thieves as they can often easily take it from roofs and other areas before selling it on quickly.

This lead theft from roofs can cause serious damage to properties, leaving them vulnerable to leaks and water damage. It can also affect its structural integrity, as lead is an important part of the roof’s waterproofing system. Without lead, the roof may be liable to water ingress, resulting in expensive repairs and damage to the building’s interior.

In addition to the financial cost, lead theft can also cause disruption to everyday life, as it takes time and resources to repair the roof.

How to Stop Lead Theft From Roofs

There are several steps you can take to protect your home or business from lead theft:

• Secure Gates and Fences: Make sure all gates and fences are secured, especially at night. Take a look at items such as your wheelie bin or perhaps any rubbish waiting to be moved, as thieves are known to use these as ways to climb over high fences and gates.

• Lock Ladders: Keep ladders locked up tight.

• Install CCTV: Install CCTV. This is an expensive option, however, it is known to work extremely well when deterring thieves, as they know they are likely to be caught from the video evidence.

• Use Anti-Climb Paint: There are also several anti-climb paints available, meaning anyone who attempts to climb gutters or drain pipes will struggle.

• Install Security Cameras: One of the best ways to protect against lead theft is to install security cameras. Cameras can help deter thieves and make it easier to identify them if they do attempt to steal lead. Security cameras can also be used to monitor the area and alert you to any suspicious activity.

• Install Motion Sensors: Motion sensors can also be used to discourage lead theft. Motion sensors can detect any movement in the area and trigger an alarm. This can alert you to any suspicious activity, giving you time to take action.

• Secure Access Points: It’s also important to secure any access points to your roof. This includes windows, doors, and ladders that could be used to access the roof. Be sure to check for any weak points and secure them with locks or other security measures.

• Use Lead Theft Deterrents: Lead theft deterrents can also be used to protect your roof. These products are designed to make it difficult for thieves to remove lead from roofs. They can also be used to make it easier to detect any attempts at theft.

• Educate Yourself and Your Neighbours: Finally, it’s important to educate yourself and your neighbours about lead theft and the steps you can take to protect against it. Make sure to talk to your neighbours and encourage them to take the same steps you are to protect against lead theft.

Peak Times of Lead Theft

A trend has been discovered for peak times of lead thefts taking place, and these tend to be school holidays and during fine weather conditions. So, by following the steps above and keeping an eye out during the school holidays, you should be able to avoid being a victim of lead theft.

If You’re a Victim of Lead Theft

In the unfortunate circumstance that you are a victim of lead theft, and you are in need of a roofing specialist to carry out those roof repairs, feel free to call Daton Roofing on 0114 2799 799.

Not only do we attend to roof repairs, but we are also able to take care of several types of roofing tasks including flat roofing issues in Sheffield, Rotherham and other surrounding areas.

Conclusion

Lead theft is a growing problem, but there are steps you can take to protect your home or business. Installing security cameras, motion sensors, and lead theft deterrents can all help protect your roof from theft.

Additionally, educating yourself and your neighbours about lead theft can help raise awareness and discourage thieves. By taking these steps, you can help protect your home or business from lead theft.