Chimney Repair Ilminster

Capping an unused chimney stops rain, birds and debris from getting in, but the flue still needs some ventilation. A vented cap at the top, together with an air vent where the fireplace has been blocked up, lets air move through the flue so that condensation does not build up and cause damp. Before a chimney is capped, it is important to check that no fire, stove or boiler still uses the flue.

Also known as ‘benching’, chimney flaunching is a term that refers to the strong mortar mix that holds your chimney pots in place. The flaunching on your chimney provides a tough waterproof barrier to keep the interior of your chimney and your home dry.

Damp on a chimney breast is usually caused either by rain getting into the stack, through failed flashings, worn pointing or an uncapped flue, or by condensation inside a flue that has been blocked up without any ventilation. In older chimneys, salts left behind by years of burning coal or wood can also draw moisture out of the air and cause damp patches and staining. Identifying which of these is the cause is the first step to fixing it.

Over time, the bricks and mortar joints in most chimneys begin to deteriorate. Unfortunately, chimney deterioration is a natural process due to exposure to the elements, such as rain, snow, ice and winds. These elements can impact the chimney from all directions, so deterioration is often inevitable.

Professional roofers or roofing contractors have the necessary experience to repoint your chimney properly so it will last many more years. If you do this early enough, the repairs will be minor, and it will simply be a matter of pulling out the old mortar and putting in the new.

The most common causes are lead flashings that have cracked, lifted or come away from the brickwork, worn pointing or porous bricks that let rain soak into the stack, cracked flaunching around the chimney pots, and open pots on unused flues that let rain fall straight down the chimney. Finding the exact cause matters, because each one needs a different repair.

If you notice that the mortar on your chimney has changed colour, it is a sign that the mortar and bricks are old and need repointing. If the mortar has started to flake or chip off, this can also mean that the mortar has gone brittle and become weak.

Chimney flashing is normally the leadwork or roof flashing that creates a waterproof seal to protect your chimney and roof from water damage and penetration.

The cost depends on the size and height of the chimney, how much of the pointing needs replacing, access and scaffolding, and whether other work such as new flaunching, pots or lead flashing is needed at the same time. Because every chimney is different, the most reliable way to get an accurate price is a survey. We offer free surveys and no-obligation quotes for chimney repairs in Ilminster.

When a chimney develops damaged joints, allowing moisture entry, it is recommended to remove the damaged portions and replace them with proper materials. This repair is known as repointing.