Roofing service
Chimney Repairs in London.
Repointing, lead flashing, rebuilds and chimney removals.
Chimney Repairs done properly
Chimneys take the worst of the weather. We repoint, re-flash and rebuild stacks, replace pots and cowls, and remove redundant chimneys safely when you no longer need them.
What's included
- Chimney repointing
- New lead flashing and soakers
- Chimney pots, cowls and caps
- Chimney rebuilds
- Chimney stack removal
Chimney repointing done properly
Failed mortar is raked out to a consistent depth, not just skimmed over, then the joints are packed with new mortar and finished to match. The mix matters on older stacks, because soft Victorian bricks can be damaged by a mortar harder than they are. The flaunching around the pots is usually checked at the same time, since it takes more weather than any other part of the stack.
- Joints raked out before new mortar goes in
- Softer lime-based mixes often suit older soft bricks
- Pots and flaunching checked while access is up
- Lead at the base of the stack inspected
Repair, rebuild or remove
Which of these is right depends on the state of the bricks and whether the chimney still has a use. Repointing suits a straight stack with sound bricks, while frost-blown bricks or a lean usually mean rebuilding from the roofline up. If the flue is redundant, chimney removal can end the upkeep, though it is worth checking the rules first.
- Sound, straight stack: repoint and re-flash
- Spalling bricks or a lean: partial or full rebuild
- Redundant stack: remove and tile over the gap
- Shared stacks may bring in the Party Wall Act
What affects the cost, and when it is not the chimney
Chimney work is mostly a question of access, because a stack needs a safe working platform all the way round it. The height of the house, a position on a party wall and the condition of the brickwork all shape the price. Damp near a chimney is not always the stack itself, so the surrounding roof is worth ruling out first.
- Height of the stack, and scaffolding on both slopes
- Number of pots and how much brickwork needs work
- Sharing the stack with next door
- Leak at the junction with slipped tiles: see roof repairs
Signs you need chimney repairs
- Damp around the chimney breast
- Crumbling mortar joints
- Leaning stack
- Lifted or split lead
Spotted any of these? Call 07450 208032 for a free inspection.
Other services
- Roof RepairsLeaks, slipped or broken tiles and storm damage, found and fixed properly.
- New RoofsFull strip and re-roofs in tile or slate, built to last decades.
- uPVC Guttering, Fascias & SoffitsNew uPVC roofline that looks sharp and stops rot and overflow.
- Dry Ridge SystemsMechanically fixed ridge tiles, no more crumbling mortar.
Common questions
How often does a chimney need repointing?
There is no fixed interval, as it depends on exposure, the mortar and the bricks. A look from the ground with binoculars every few years is a good start, and open or crumbling joints mean it is time to have it checked.
What is the difference between repointing and rebuilding a chimney?
Repointing renews the mortar joints and leaves the bricks in place. Rebuilding takes the stack down, usually to the roofline, and relays it, reusing sound bricks where possible. It is needed when the bricks or the stability of the stack have gone.
Can a chimney be removed above the roofline only?
Yes, our chimney stack removal takes it down to below the tiles and closes up the roof. The chimney breast inside is a separate structural job that needs its own support and Building Regulations approval, and we don’t carry that out.
Will a cowl stop rain coming down my chimney?
A suitable cowl or cap cuts down the rain getting in and can also keep birds out. If the flue is in use, the cowl has to suit your fire or appliance, so check with your installer before anything is fitted.
Ready for a free, no-obligation quote?
Speak to our team today. London, Essex, Kent, Sussex and the Cotswolds.