When stopping a crack in a lead gutter, the crack should be opened, the woodwork beneath dished, the edges of the lead dressed into the dishing, and then shaved to present a bright surface for soldering. Next drive in a few tinned copper nails to prevent the lead rising and showing through the solder; a little tallow should be rubbed on. Plumbers' solder should then be melted, poured on, and kept in a semi-molten condition by a plumbers' iron red hot. After the solder has well tinned to the lead it should be wiped flush with the lead at the sides.