Common chimney problems
- Crumbling pointing. The mortar between the bricks wears away, letting water into the stack.
- Cracked flaunching. The mortar cap on top of the stack cracks and lets water in, and pots can work loose.
- Loose or broken pots. A risk in high winds, and a way for water and birds to get in.
- Failed flashing. The seal where the stack meets the roof is one of the most common places for a leak. See lead work.
- Damp on chimney breasts. Stains on the walls or ceilings around the chimney inside are a sign water is getting in somewhere.
What a chimney repair involves
- Access. A scaffold is put up so the stack can be reached safely.
- Inspect the stack. Pointing, flaunching, pots and flashing are all checked, so you know everything that needs doing in one go.
- Repairs. The stack is repointed, the flaunching renewed, pots refixed or replaced, and cowls or caps fitted where needed.
- Flashing. The flashing round the base of the stack is repaired or renewed.
- Clear up. Debris is cleared from the roof and gutters.
Chimneys on older houses
Many Victorian and Edwardian terraces and semis across Manchester, Salford, Stockport and Bolton have tall brick stacks that have stood in the weather for over a hundred years. They are often still sound but need repointing and new flaunching every so often. When a roof is being re-roofed, the stack is best sorted out while the scaffold is already up. See new roofs.
Is your chimney leaking?
If you can see damp around the chimney inside, call. UK Rhino Roofing is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. See leak repairs for what to do in the meantime.
Quotes are free. A photo of the chimney from the ground or a window helps Jon give you an idea before he visits.
