Lead Pipes & Hoppers
We design, repair and fabricate bespoke lead pipes and rainwater hoppers that combine traditional craftsmanship with reliable drainage performance across domestic, commercial and heritage buildings.
Lead pipes and rainwater hoppers are both functional and architectural features, often contributing significantly to the character of period and historic buildings. Beyond their visual appeal, they play a critical role in managing rainwater effectively. At Lead It Be, we specialise in the manufacture, restoration and installation of lead rainwater goods that are durable, accurate and sympathetic to the building’s design.
Heritage Led Craftsmanship for Lead Pipes & Hoppers
Our craftsmen hand fabricate lead pipes and hoppers using traditional techniques to ensure strength, longevity and an authentic finish. Each component is formed with precision, ensuring clean joints, correct falls and secure connections to the drainage system.
Lead pipes and decorative hopper heads are often unique to the building on which they sit. We regularly reproduce historic profiles and ornamental details, matching original dimensions and aesthetics while improving durability through correct detailing and installation.
Where original components are missing or beyond repair, we offer bespoke design and fabrication tailored to the building’s architectural style. Working from drawings, photographs or existing samples, we produce accurate replacements that maintain visual continuity.
Effective rainwater management is essential to prevent damp and masonry deterioration. We ensure all lead pipes and hoppers are correctly sized, aligned and securely fixed to provide reliable long term performance in all weather conditions.
All lead pipe and hopper works are carried out in accordance with current Lead Sheet Association recommendations and industry best practice. Our work is fully insured and supported by long term insurance backed guarantees, providing confidence in both workmanship and durability.
Working With Lead It Be
Our considered and methodical approach ensures lead pipe and hopper projects are delivered efficiently and to the highest standard.
Assessment & Specification
We review the building, existing drainage arrangement and architectural detailing to recommend the most appropriate lead pipe and hopper solution.
Fabrication & Installation
Our skilled team fabricates and installs the components with precision, ensuring accurate setting out, secure fixings and seamless integration with the building fabric.
Completion & Aftercare
Once installed, all works are inspected for compliance and performance. We provide the necessary guarantees and remain available for ongoing advice, maintenance support or future restoration works.
Specialist Workshop Restoration of Historic Lead Pipes
Our fully equipped workshop enables us to undertake detailed formation, restoration and conservation of historic lead pipes entirely in house, ensuring precision, control and the highest standards of craftsmanship.
At Lead It Be, we specialise in the careful restoration of lead pipes using traditional techniques supported by modern workshop facilities. As two time consecutive LCA Ornamental Murdoch Award winners, we continue to invest in training, tooling and resources to deliver exceptional quality restoration work.
We are equipped to re dress and re shape lead pipes of varying dimensions using traditional hand methods, supported by an extensive range of steel formers and specialist pipe tooling held within our workshop. This allows us to sympathetically restore deformed or damaged sections while maintaining historical integrity.
In recent years, we have successfully undertaken major restoration programmes, including the repair of historic lead pipes dating back to 1719 at Skinners’ Hall in 2023, and the restoration of 74 bespoke lead gutter lengths at Wakehurst House in 2024. These projects demonstrate our capability to manage complex, large scale conservation works with precision and care.
Our Workshop Facilities & Restoration Process
Our dedicated 2,500 sq ft workshop supports comprehensive restoration programmes and includes:
Careful removal of existing lead pipes from site
Secure transportation and delivery to our workshop
Cataloguing, documentation and organised shelving storage
Four fully equipped workbenches to support large scale restoration works
A dedicated welding bench with mobile extraction to manage and minimise lead fume exposure
Soda blasting to remove paint and carbon layers where required
A wide range of steel formers to re shape damaged or deformed sections
Specialist pipe tooling to preserve traditional craftsmanship techniques
Careful wrapping and packaging of all restored sections for safe return to site
By undertaking restoration within a controlled workshop environment, we are able to ensure stronger, more reliable repairs while preserving the authenticity and longevity of historic lead fabric.
