Chimneys take the worst of the weather and they are the part of the roof most people never look at. By the time water shows on the chimney breast inside, the mortar has usually been failing for years. We repair, rebuild and remove chimney stacks across West Yorkshire, and because we are roofers first, the leadwork and the tiling around the stack get done properly at the same time.
What we do
- Repointing the stack with the right mortar, raking out the old joints rather than smearing over them.
- Flaunching (the mortar cap that holds the pots) renewed when it has cracked.
- Pots and cowls replaced or fitted to keep rain and birds out of flues.
- Partial or full rebuilds in matching stone or brick where the stack has gone too far to repoint.
- Removal below the roofline for redundant chimneys, with the flue capped and vented and the roof made good.
- Lead flashings renewed as part of any chimney job. See leadwork.
Why chimney work goes wrong
Chimney repairs fail when the flashings are left alone. A stack can be beautifully repointed and still leak if the lead soakers and back gutter are the originals. We always look at the whole detail, stack and lead together, and quote for what will actually keep the water out.
Rebuild or remove?
If the chimney serves a working fire or stove, or it matters to the look of the house, we rebuild it. If it is redundant, taking it down below the roofline is cheaper, removes a weak point from the roof and means nothing up there needs repointing again. We will talk it through with you and price both if you want.