Repointing, flashing, capping and rebuilds for city terraces and semis
Chimney Repairs in Manchester
No Hidden Fees
Rated 4.9 from 350+ Google reviews
Experienced Roofing Company
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07403 931 974
Chimney repair in Manchester, done properly
Walk down almost any terraced street in Manchester and you'll count dozens of chimney stacks, most built in the late 1800s or early 1900s and many no longer used. They still have to keep the weather out. Chimney repairs in Manchester make up a big part of our work, because a neglected stack is one of the commonest causes of damp in upstairs rooms.
The usual problems are mortar that has crumbled out of the joints, lead flashing that has lifted or been smeared with mastic, cracked flaunching around the pots, and open pots letting rain straight down disused flues. Left alone, some stacks eventually start to lean.
We repair, rebuild or remove stacks depending on what makes sense for the house, and explain the options and costs before anything is started.
- Available 24/7 for emergencies
- Free, no-obligation quotes
- Rated 4.9 from 350+ Google reviews
- Fully insured, all work guaranteed
Free chimney repairs quote in Manchester
Call 0800 046 1159 or send us a few details and photos.
Emergency line: 07532 734934
Chimney work we carry out
Repointing
Raking out failed mortar and repointing the stack so rain no longer soaks into the brickwork.
Lead flashing
Replacing tired or mastic-patched flashing with properly dressed lead where the stack meets the roof.
Capping and cowls
Capping disused flues or fitting cowls to keep rain and birds out while still allowing ventilation.
Rebuilds and removal
Rebuilding unsafe stacks from the roofline up, or removing redundant ones and making the roof good.
Chimneys on Manchester's terraces and semis
On Victorian terraces in Levenshulme, Moss Side and Gorton, stacks usually sit on the party wall and are shared, so one neighbour's leak can easily become the other's problem too. Inter-war semis in Burnage and Blackley typically have a single stack on the hip or gable, often with old cement flaunching that has cracked. Parts of the city, including some streets around Ancoats, fall within conservation areas, so if you're thinking of removing or altering a visible stack it's worth checking with Manchester City Council first.
We carry out chimney repairs across M1 to M40 and nearby in Salford, Rusholme, Withington and Chorlton. Our main office is in the city centre at Swan Buildings on Swan Street (M4), so we're never far from any part of Manchester.
Signs your chimney needs attention
Damp patches on the chimney breast, or on the ceiling near it after heavy rain, are the classic sign. From outside, look for gaps in the mortar, weeds growing from the stack, pots that look out of line, or flashing that has pulled away. Bits of mortar or brick in the gutter are another giveaway.
When we survey a stack we check the pointing, flaunching, pots, flashing and the slates or tiles around it, and photograph anything we find. You'll get a written quote covering access, which for chimneys usually means scaffolding or a tower, plus the work itself. Prices are confirmed before work starts, with no hidden fees.
Chimney repair FAQs for Manchester homes
My chimney is shared with next door. Who pays for repairs?
Shared stacks on the party wall are usually the joint responsibility of both owners, though the detail depends on your deeds. Many Manchester neighbours split the cost of repointing or new flashing, and it makes sense because access is shared too. We can quote for the whole stack and price each owner's share separately if that helps.
Should I remove a chimney I no longer use?
Taking a redundant stack down below roof level removes a maintenance headache and a source of damp, but the roof then needs slating or tiling in to match. If the chimney breast has been taken out inside, the stack must be properly supported, so that needs checking first. In a conservation area, ask Manchester City Council before anything comes down.
What's the difference between flashing and flaunching?
Flashing is the lead that seals the joint where the stack meets the roof slope. Flaunching is the sloped mortar on top of the stack that holds the pots in place and sheds rain off the top. Both crack and fail with age, and between them they cause a large share of the chimney leaks we see.
Can a leaning chimney be straightened?
A stack that has started to lean usually can't be pushed back. Leaning is often caused by sulphate attack in the mortar after decades of coal fires, which expands one side of the stack more than the other. The safe fix is normally to take it down to a sound level and rebuild. We'll assess it and tell you if it's urgent.
Do you fit cowls for wood burners?
We fit cowls and caps to keep rain and birds out of flues. For working flues serving a wood burner or open fire, the cowl must suit the appliance, and liners and appliance work should be handled by a suitably qualified installer. Our job is making sure the stack itself is sound and weathertight.
How long does chimney repointing take?
For a typical terrace or semi stack, repointing and new flashing is usually done in a day or two once access is up, weather permitting. Rebuilds take longer. Mortar needs dry, frost-free conditions to cure, so in the depths of winter we may need to work around the forecast.
Other roofing services in Manchester
Book a chimney survey
Worried about a stack in Manchester? Call 0800 046 1159 for a free survey and a clear, written price.
Our Mission
Why Choose Us? Local Manchester Roofers
With many years experience in roof installation and repairs, we aim to be best placed for roof work you require.
Our clients benefit from a skilled workforce with a track record of integrity and professionalism and all our roof installation services are of high quality and cost effective.
We’re fully insured with public liability insurance, offering competitive prices and a guarantee. This ensures we remain a highly recommended choice for roofers in the Greater Manchester area.
You can rely on our expertise and professionalism when it comes to quality roof fitting and repairs.
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