Alternatives to lead soakers

[Triassic]

We’re having a slate hipped roof and the roofer has suggested we use lead soakers, however, looking online, most roofing stores list lead alternative soakers made of such things as aluminium, EDPM and lead alternives?       Has anyone used them and is so which ones are best?

 

[Russell griffiths]

I have used aluminium and liked it. 

[Russell griffiths]

You may find with lead you get a bit of staining, ask him about patination oil. 

[Mr Punter]

zinc is used as well. Be careful when mixing metals as some can corrode others when in contact or even nearby. I think lead is safe with most.

[Cpd]

Is there still a need to use lead on a modern build ? It’s great when you live in an old shite box like mine and need to manipulate it over all the massive imperfections but on a modern build with uniform materials and finished ? Just seen mr Punters post, yes it’s a great material but very expensive for a first choice ? What have others used ? 

[Declan52]

Lead is easy to manipulate for a valley or a soaker.  It will out last everything else but as Russel points out you have to oil it up or it will stain the roof tiles.  The only issue is you need to remember to use copper nails to fix it and don't put it on till the last minute as the magpies in transit vans love it. 

[Alexphd1]

We used stainless for valleys and soakers. DIY from ofcuts from roof.

[AdamSee]

We had the aluminium soakers put in on our dormer when it was retiled. They look great around the window, much better cement pointing that some of the others have done. Wish I had known about the oiling of lead flashing prior to this point. Mines left a horrible white stain on the new clay tiles. Can it be removed in any way?

[jonM]

Water that has run over lead will strip a galvanised coating, so a non-lead alternative might make more sense if you are using a galvanised steel guttering. 

[Gone West]

I used Lacomet which was easy to use for flat or straight folds.