Roof work by McCluskey Roofing
Need it sorted? Book chimney repointing
If you can see open joints or crumbling mortar on your stack, ask us for a free quote.
Size of the stack
A small single-flue stack has far less brickwork than a large shared stack on a terrace with several pots. The number of faces, their height and how much mortar has failed all affect the time needed.
Roof repairs
- Leaks traced beyond the visible damp patch
- Ridge, verge and leadwork repairs
- Repeated leaks compared with replacement options
Need advice about your roof?
Tell us what you’ve noticed. We’ll discuss the next step towards a free quote.
Request a free quoteAccess and scaffolding
Access is often the largest single cost. Most chimney work needs a safe platform around the stack, usually scaffolding or a chimney scaffold that sits on the roof. A tall stack on a three-storey house, or one reached over a conservatory, takes more equipment than a stack on a bungalow.
Condition of the bricks
If the bricks themselves are spalled, cracked or loose, repointing alone will not solve the problem. Some bricks may need replacing, or the top courses rebuilding. That only becomes clear once the stack is reached and inspected closely.
Mortar type
Older chimneys were often built with lime mortar. Repointing them with a hard cement mix can trap moisture and damage the bricks. Using an appropriate mix for the age of the house is important and can affect cost slightly.
Flaunching and flashing at the same time
Because the access is already in place, it is often sensible to renew cracked flaunching around the pots or failed flashing where the stack meets the roof while the scaffold is up. That adds to the job but avoids paying for access twice. Our flaunching and flashing pages explain those repairs.
Shared stacks
Terraced houses often share a stack with next door. Repointing one side only can leave the other side letting water in. Neighbours sometimes agree to have the whole stack done together and split the access cost.
How often a chimney needs repointing
There is no fixed interval. Exposure, the original mortar and maintenance all play a part. Look for recessed or crumbling joints, plants growing from the stack and damp on the chimney breast. When those appear, it is time for a closer look.
Chimney pots and caps
While the scaffold is up, it is a good time to check the pots. Cracked or loose pots can be replaced. If a flue is no longer used, fitting a cap or a vented cover stops rain going down it while still letting the chimney breathe. These are small extras but avoid a second visit.
Lead flashing condition
Repointing the stack often goes hand in hand with checking the lead flashing at its base. The step flashing is fixed into the mortar joints, so when those joints are raked out, the lead may need redressing or renewing. A quote should make clear whether flashing work is included.
Removing a redundant chimney
If a chimney is no longer needed and is in poor condition, some people consider taking it down below roof level instead of repointing it. That is a bigger job involving the roof covering, the structure and sometimes building regulations or planning considerations, especially on terraces and in conservation areas. It is worth discussing before deciding.
What a good quote includes
A clear quote should state the access needed, which faces of the stack will be repointed, the type of mortar, and whether flaunching, flashing and pots are included. It should also explain how any extra brickwork found to be loose would be dealt with. Comparing quotes on those points is more useful than looking at the total alone.
Signs your stack needs attention
From the ground, look for mortar joints that have receded behind the face of the bricks, gaps, plants growing out of the stack and stained brickwork. Inside, damp on the chimney breast, particularly in upstairs rooms, can mean water is getting into the stack. Spotting these early usually keeps the work, and the cost, smaller.
Shared access with a neighbour, or combining chimney work with other roof repairs, can also make better use of the scaffold.
Ready for a quote
Tell us about the stack and, if possible, send a photo. We will check the brickwork, pots, flaunching and flashing and give you a free quote. See our chimney repairs page for other chimney work.