Chimney Services Preston
This page explains the chimney work we do, how to tell what your chimney needs, and what to think about before work starts. Each service has its own page with more detail.
Why chimneys fail
A chimney stack is brickwork and mortar standing on its own above the roof, with nothing to shelter it. Three things wear it out.
Weather on every side
Rain hits a stack from every direction, and the top of the stack catches water that runs straight down into it. Over the years, mortar joints soften and wash out, and bricks that stay wet start to crumble.
Frost
Water that gets into cracks in the mortar or the face of the bricks expands when it freezes. Each winter opens the cracks a little further. That's why a chimney can look fine for years and then deteriorate quickly.
The joins with the roof
Where the stack meets the roof, lead flashing keeps water out. When the flashing lifts, splits or comes away from the brickwork, water runs straight into the roof space. Many leaks that look like roof leaks start here.
Our chimney services
Chimney repairs
General repairs to keep a stack sound and watertight: replacing damaged bricks, resetting loose pots and fixing the problems that let water in. See our chimney repairs in Preston page.
Chimney repointing
Old, crumbling mortar is raked out of the joints and replaced with weather-resistant mortar, colour-matched where needed so the repair blends in. Repointing is often all a sound but weathered stack needs. Read more about chimney repointing and roof pointing.
Chimney flaunching
Flaunching is the sloped mortar on top of the stack that holds the pots in place and throws rainwater off. It's the most exposed mortar on the house. When it cracks, we break it out and renew it. See our chimney flaunching page.
Chimney lead flashing
Lead flashing seals the gap where the chimney meets the roof slates or tiles. We renew failed flashing in Code 4 and Code 5 lead, dressed and fixed properly. Find out more about lead flashing for chimneys.
Chimney rebuilds
When a stack is leaning, badly cracked or the bricks are crumbling, repointing won't save it. We take it down to sound brickwork and rebuild it, with new flaunching and flashing. See our chimney rebuilds page.
Signs your chimney needs attention
You can spot most chimney problems from the ground or an upstairs window, especially with a pair of binoculars:
- Gaps or crumbling mortar between the bricks, often worst on the side facing the prevailing weather.
- Cracks in the flaunching around the base of the pots, or pots that look loose or leaning.
- Lead that has lifted, split or pulled away where the stack meets the roof.
- Plants or moss growing out of the brickwork or the top of the stack.
- Pieces of mortar or brick in the gutters, on the roof or on the ground below.
- Damp patches on a chimney breast, or on the ceiling or wall next to the chimney, that appear after rain.
- A stack that isn't straight when you look at it against the roofline.
None of these on their own means the chimney is about to fail, but each is a sign that water is getting in somewhere. The sooner it's looked at, the smaller the repair usually is.
Which chimney service do you need?
Most chimney problems fall into one of a few patterns. This table is a starting point; we'll confirm what's needed when we look at the stack.
| What you can see | Likely cause | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Mortar missing or crumbling between bricks | Weathered pointing | Repointing |
| Cracks around the base of the pots, bits of mortar in the gutter | Failed flaunching | New flaunching |
| Damp on a chimney breast or ceiling next to the stack after rain | Failed flashing, pointing or flaunching | Find the source, then repair |
| Lead lifted, split or loose where the stack meets the roof | Failed flashing | New lead flashing |
| Stack leaning, large cracks, bricks crumbling or falling | Structural failure | Rebuild |
If you're not sure, look from the ground or a window, ideally with binoculars, and take photos for your own records. Don't go onto the roof yourself.
How we approach chimney work
Safe access
Most chimney work needs scaffolding or another safe way to reach the stack. We'll explain what's needed when we quote, so there are no surprises.
Finding the real cause
A damp chimney breast can be caused by the pointing, the flaunching, the flashing or the pots, and sometimes more than one. We look at the whole stack and the roof around it before recommending anything, so you're not paying for the wrong repair.
Matching what's there
On older homes, the right repair matches the existing bricks, mortar colour and style. Where we can't match exactly, we'll talk you through the options before work starts.
Checking the rest while we're up there
Once access is in place, it costs little to check the rest of the stack and the roof around it. If we find anything else, we'll tell you and quote before doing it.
Repair or rebuild: how we decide
The decision comes down to the condition of the bricks and whether the stack is still standing straight.
If the bricks are sound and the stack is upright, the problem is almost always the mortar or the lead. Repointing, new flaunching and new flashing will put it right, and that's far cheaper than a rebuild.
If the bricks are crumbling, the stack is leaning or there are large cracks running through the brickwork, repairs only buy time. Water keeps getting into the weakened brickwork, and the risk of bricks or pots falling grows. In that case a rebuild from sound brickwork is the safer, longer-lasting answer.
Sometimes it's a mix: a sound lower stack with a damaged top few courses. We'll explain exactly what we found and why we're recommending it, and you decide what goes ahead.
Before chimney work starts
Gas fires and boilers
If your chimney or flue serves a gas fire or boiler, any work that affects the flue should be followed by a check of the appliance by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Tell us about any appliances when you book.
Shared chimneys
On terraced and semi-detached houses, the stack is often shared with the house next door. If the work involves a shared stack, talk to your neighbour early.
Conservation areas and listed buildings
Chimneys are part of the character of Preston's older streets. In a conservation area or on a listed building, removing or significantly altering a chimney can need permission. Like-for-like repairs are usually the right approach. If you're unsure, check with Preston City Council before work starts.
Unused chimneys
If you no longer use the fireplace, the chimney still needs to stay dry and ventilated. Ask us about the right way to deal with an unused stack rather than simply blocking it.
Chimneys on older Preston homes
Preston grew quickly in the 1800s, and many of its terraces and villas still have their original brick stacks. These chimneys have often been repaired many times, sometimes with materials that don't suit them. We look at what's there and recommend the repair that will last, not just the quickest fix. If you own a period home, see our period property roofing page as well.
Why choose North W Roofing for chimney work
We're a veteran-led, family-run roofing business based in Preston and fully insured. Chimney work is part of what we do every week, alongside the roofs around them, so one team can deal with the stack, the flashing and the roof together. Every quote is free, and we'll always explain what we found in plain English.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my chimney needs repairing?
Look for crumbling mortar, cracks around the pots, lifted lead where the stack meets the roof, leaning brickwork, or damp on the chimney breast after rain.
Can a chimney cause a roof leak?
Yes. Failed flashing, pointing or flaunching are some of the most common causes of leaks near a chimney.
Do I need scaffolding for chimney work?
Usually, yes, for safe access to the stack. We'll explain what's needed when we quote.
Should I repair or rebuild my chimney?
If the bricks are sound, repointing and new flaunching are usually enough. If the stack is leaning, badly cracked or the bricks are crumbling, a rebuild is the safe, lasting fix.
Can you remove a chimney I don't use?
Removing a stack can affect the structure and the neighbouring house, and may need permission. Ask us and we'll talk through the options.
Are your quotes free?
Yes. Call 07742 720 236 for a free quote.
Chimney problem in Preston?
Call Danny on 07742 720 236 or request a free quote. We cover Preston, Leyland, Chorley, Penwortham and the surrounding area. See all the areas we cover.