What Chimney Repairs and Leadwork Involve?

Chimney repairs cover the stack itself and the joins where it meets the roof. Repointing replaces worn or crumbling mortar between the bricks. Flaunching is the sloped mortar bed at the top of the stack that holds the chimney pots and throws water off, and it is replaced when it cracks. Lead flashing seals the gap between the stack and the roof tiles, and is renewed when it lifts, splits or comes away from the brickwork. We also fit caps and cowls to stop rain, birds and debris entering unused flues. Scaffolding or access equipment is arranged to reach the stack safely.

Signs Your Chimney Needs Repairing

Your chimney in Skegness needs attention if you see damp patches on the chimney breast inside, water stains on the ceiling beside the chimney, crumbling or missing mortar between the bricks, cracks in the flaunching around the pots, or lead flashing that has lifted or pulled away from the stack. Loose bricks or a stack that looks out of line from the street need checking quickly. Chimney leaks often get mistaken for general roof leaks, so if you have a damp patch near the stack, the chimney is the first place to look.

Why Chimneys Leak and Deteriorate

Chimneys are exposed to the weather on every side, so they take more wind and rain than any other part of the roof. Over the years, rain and frost wash out and break down the mortar between the bricks, and cracked flaunching lets water into the top of the stack. Lead flashing can lift if it was not properly fixed into the brickwork, or if the mortar holding it has failed. On the Lincolnshire coast, strong winds drive rain into any gap. Repairing chimney problems early saves you money, because water that gets into the stack and roof timbers causes damage far beyond the chimney itself.

What Affects the Cost of Chimney Repairs in Skegness?

The cost of chimney repairs in Skegness depends on the height and size of the stack, how much repointing or flashing is needed, whether the flaunching needs replacing, and how the stack is reached. Scaffolding is often the biggest part of the cost on a two-storey house, so it makes sense to fix all chimney problems in one visit. A chimney that needs rebuilding costs more than one that needs repointing. We give you a written quote after the inspection, so you know exactly what is being fixed. Call 01754 8405675 to arrange it.

Chimney Repair or Removal?

Repairing a chimney is the right choice when the stack is structurally sound and the problem is pointing, flaunching or flashing. If your chimney is no longer used and needs major work, removing the stack above the roofline and roofing over the gap may be worth considering, as it removes a common source of leaks.  If your home is listed or in a conservation area, check with East Lindsey District Council before altering a chimney, since alterations to the roof in conservation areas need permission. We talk through the options with you at the inspection.



Why does my chimney leak only in heavy rain?

• A chimney that leaks only in heavy or wind-driven rain usually has a small gap in the lead flashing, worn pointing or cracked flaunching that lets water in when rain is blown hard against the stack. An inspection finds the exact point of entry so the repair targets the cause.

Can you fit a cap to a chimney I no longer use?

• Yes. Caps and cowls stop rain, birds and debris getting into unused flues. A capped flue still needs some ventilation to prevent condensation, which we allow for when fitting it.

How long does lead flashing last?

•  How long flashing lasts in practice depends on how well it was fitted and fixed into the brickwork. With our expert roofers lead flashing should last a minnimum of 20 years.

Do you repair chimneys on commercial buildings?

• Yes. We repair chimneys, repoint stacks and renew flashing on homes and business premises across Skegness and the Lincolnshire coast.

If your chimney in Skegness or along the Lincolnshire coast is leaking, crumbling or losing its flashing, call 01754 8405675 for a free inspection and a written quote. We cover Skegness, Ingoldmells, Chapel St Leonards, Winthorpe, Burgh le Marsh, Wainfleet All Saints, Spilsby, Alford and Mablethorpe.