Repair, Repoint or Remove
Chimney Repairs and Removals
Stack repairs and repointing, removals designed with proper support, lead flashing replacement and brickwork restoration.
We work across ten towns on the Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire borders, which between them fall under five separate planning authorities. That matters more than it sounds: the council that signs your work off is decided by your address, not by the nearest big town, and on this patch the boundaries run close together.
What is included
What Chimney Repairs and Removals Include
Chimney Stack Repairs and Repointing
Addressing the mortar and brickwork before water ingress becomes a structural problem.
Chimney Removal or Rebuild
Full or partial removal, designed so that whatever remains is properly supported.
Lead Flashing Replacement
Resealing the junction between the stack and the roof covering, which is where most chimney leaks actually start.
Brickwork Restoration and Waterproofing
Matching mortar and pointing style so a repair does not read as an obvious patch.
Flue and Cowl Inspections
Checking what the flue is doing, and capping it properly where it is no longer in use.
How it runs
Chimney Repairs and Removals: How We Work
Inspect the Stack and the Flashing
A leak attributed to the chimney is often a flashing failure rather than a brickwork one, and the two need different work.
Decide Repair, Rebuild or Remove
A stack that has lost structural integrity is a different job from one that needs repointing, and the honest answer is often the cheaper one.
Design the Support
Where a breast or stack is being removed, whatever remains above has to be carried, and that support is designed rather than improvised.
Complete and Weatherproof
Flashing, capping and pointing finished so the roofline is watertight and the repair blends in.
The structural question
The Part That Decides the Job
A chimney removal is a structural job, not a demolition one. Removing a breast at ground floor while leaving the stack above means the remaining brickwork has to be carried by gallows brackets or a beam, and gallows brackets are only appropriate where the wall behind them is sound and thick enough to take the load. Partial removals carried out years ago without that support are one of the more common problems found when a ground floor is opened up.
Questions we get asked
Chimney Repairs and Removals: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does chimney work cost?
It depends on whether the job is repointing, flashing, a partial removal or a rebuild, and on access and scaffolding. We give a written figure after inspecting the stack.
Why is my chimney leaking when the brickwork looks sound?
Flashing failure is the most common cause. The lead detail where the stack meets the roof covering degrades with age and movement, and a stain that appears specifically after wind driven rain from one direction usually points to it rather than to the brickwork.
Do I need building regulations approval to remove a chimney breast?
Yes. It is structural work, and building control will want to see the support arrangement for whatever remains, along with any effect on the fire separation between the property and its neighbour.
How often does chimney mortar need repointing?
It varies with exposure and the original mortar mix. Many stacks need attention to at least some joints every fifteen to twenty five years, and an exposed stack on a high or open site will need it sooner.
Does removing a chimney breast need a party wall notice?
Very often, yes. On a semi detached or terraced property the chimney is usually within the party wall, so cutting into it engages the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and notice has to be served on the adjoining owner.
Can a chimney be repaired without a full rebuild?
In most cases yes. Repointing, flashing repair and capping can all be done without rebuilding, and a full or partial rebuild is only necessary where the brickwork itself has lost integrity.
Will removing a chimney breast affect my neighbour if we share the stack?
It can, both structurally and in terms of fire separation, which is precisely why the party wall procedure exists. The work has to leave the neighbour's side properly supported and properly separated.
Can I remove a chimney breast without removing the whole stack?
Yes, but the remaining stack then has to be supported. That is usually done with gallows brackets or a beam, and gallows brackets are only suitable where the supporting wall is sound and of adequate thickness. Building control will want to see how the support has been designed.
What happens to the flue if I remove the breast downstairs only?
The flue above is no longer connected to anything below, so it needs sealing at the base and ventilating at the top, otherwise it becomes a route for moisture into the remaining structure.
Is a leaning chimney stack dangerous?
It can be. A stack that has visibly moved should be treated as urgent, kept clear underneath, and assessed rather than left through another winter.
Where we work
Chimney Repairs and Removals by Town
Pick your town for the local planning authority, the housing stock, the ground conditions and what each of those means for a project at your address.
Our other services
Talk it through first
Chimney Repairs and Removals
Tell us about the property and what you want it to do. We will set out the scope, the approval route and a written price after a site visit. Our office is at First Floor, 30 Reading Road South, Fleet, GU52 7QL.