Chimney repointing, flashing repair and stack removal
Chimney Repairs and Repointing
Chimney repairs and repointing cover renewing worn or missing mortar joints on a chimney stack, repairing or replacing the flashing where the chimney meets the roof, and — where a chimney is no longer needed or beyond economical repair — its safe removal or capping.
Definition
What Chimney Repairs covers
Chimney stacks are exposed to weather more than almost any other part of the building, and mortar joints, flashing and pots typically need attention well before the surrounding roof. Repointing renews eroded mortar between the bricks; flashing repair addresses the metal, usually lead, junction between stack and roof covering, a very common source of leaks; and where a chimney is redundant or structurally compromised, removal down to roof level, with the flue capped and ventilated, or partial rebuild is an alternative to ongoing repair.
Suitable for
- Eroded or missing mortar joints on an exposed chimney stack
- Leaks tracking from around the chimney, often caused by failed flashing rather than the brickwork itself
- Chimneys no longer in use where removal or capping is being considered
- Chimney work identified during a roof survey or re-roof
Not suitable for
- Flue lining and appliance connection work for an active fireplace or wood burner, which is arranged with a specialist installer
- Listed building chimney work without the necessary consent confirmed with the local planning authority first
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Survey
Inspecting the stack, mortar condition, flashing and pots, usually from ground level, ladder or drone survey.
- 02
Specification
Agreeing repointing, flashing renewal, partial rebuild or removal, and scaffold or access requirements.
- 03
Access
Arranging scaffolding or tower access appropriate to the chimney's height and position.
- 04
Works
Carrying out the agreed repair — repointing, new lead flashing, rebuild or removal — with the roof kept weathertight throughout.
Typical timescale
Repointing or flashing renewal on a single stack is typically completed within one to two days once access is up; removal or rebuild work can take longer depending on scope.
Cost guidance
Chimney repairs and repointing typically cost £500–£2,000 per job in our area, with the amount of repointing needed, flashing renewal and whether scaffolding is required rather than a tower pushing the price toward the top of that range. We provide an itemised quotation after a survey rather than a fixed headline price.
Limitations and exclusions
- Scaffolding or tower access is priced as a distinct cost from the chimney work itself
- Structural instability found once repointing starts may require a more extensive rebuild than originally scoped
- Flue lining, appliance connection and sweeping for active fireplaces is arranged with a specialist rather than carried out as part of this service
Areas we cover
Chimney Repairs across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for chimney repairs in each town we work in.
Related services
You may also need
FAQs
Chimney Repairs FAQs
How do I know if my chimney needs repointing or a full rebuild?
Eroded or missing mortar with the brickwork itself still sound usually just needs repointing. Leaning stacks, loose or crumbling bricks, or significant structural movement point toward partial rebuild. We advise honestly on which applies after a survey rather than defaulting to the larger job.
Is a chimney leak usually the brickwork or the flashing?
Flashing failure — the lead junction where the chimney meets the roof covering — is the more common cause of leaks around a chimney, rather than the brickwork itself. We check both during survey since the fix and cost differ significantly.
What happens if I have a chimney removed?
If a chimney is no longer in use, it can typically be removed down to roof level, with the flue capped and ventilated, and the roof made good where the stack has been taken out. This is usually more cost-effective long-term than ongoing repair to a redundant stack, though we confirm what's structurally sensible for your specific property.
Discuss your chimney repairs project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-28.