When Housing and Care organisation Midland Heart had lead flashing stolen from the same roof twice in one week, it turned to Redland Rapid Flashing to beat the thieves. Rapid Flashing is a BBA certified solution which can be used instead of lead on the majority of pitched roof applications for detailing around chimney stacks, dormers and abutments.

“Lead being stolen from properties is an on-going issue for many,” says Neil Harrison Asset Manager at Midland Heart, “to have the same roof stripped twice in one week really was unbelievable.

“This made us look for a lead free solution, Redland’s Rapid Flashing. The roof was damaged by the thieves, so we also used Redland Cambrian slates and Plain tiles as replacements.”

Rapid Flashing is easy to use due to its self-fusing fully impervious bond that joins flashing and tile/slate. This takes just 30 minutes to mould quickly around the roof details and forms a weather tight and secure seal that’s guaranteed for 15 years when used in conjunction with Redland tiles or slates.

Approved by NHBC, Zurich and local authority building control inspectors, Rapid Flashing is suitable for social housing and private new build developments as well as renovations.

A roll of Rapid Flashing can be applied directly to the roof, without the need for ancillary items, just scissors or a knife, a ruler and roller from the toolbox. Redland Rapid Flashing outperforms other lead replacement products on ease of use and performance with its flexibility in both directions due to the unique design of its integrated aluminium rib mesh, self-fusing properties and its workability on site.

Midland Heart works with main contractor INEX Ltd on all its properties, with PGR roofing operating as roofing subcontractor. Staff from both attended a short Rapid Flashing course at the Redland training centre in South Cerney organised by Redland Specification Manager Paul Whitelaw.

“I’ve been in roofing for 35 years and, until now, have never found a lead replacement product that works” says Paul Gwilt, Director and owner at PRG Roofing. “My team went on the Redland Rapid Flashing training course and it really won them round. We’re now seriously considering Rapid Flashing as an alternative to lead on all our projects.”

Rob Charlwood, Roofing Manager for Inex LTD adds: “Midland Heart specify which roofing products we use and with repair work at Holly Road costing nearly £10,000 and lead theft an on-going problem it seems sensible to use a lead replacement product.”

Redland has recently launched new colours and sizes of Rapid Flashing to market. To go with the existing lead grey colour, black is now an option. Size wise, widths are now available of 180mm, 280mm, 370mm and 560mm. Midland Heart is now considering using Rapid Flashing for all lead replacement work on its property portfolio from now on.