Chimney Repairs & Removalsin Headcorn
Chimneys take the worst of the weather. We carry out repointing, flashing repairs and full chimney removals, with honest advice on the best option for your property.
- Chimney repointing
- Lead flashing repairs
- Chimney removals
- Straight answers before any work starts
- 18 years in the roofing trade
- Rated 9.56/10 on Checkatrade
- Open 24 hours, with emergency repairs typically within 2 hours
- Honest advice and clear quotes
- Public liability insured
- Family-run, with honest advice and no hard sell
Service overview
What Chimney Repairs & Removals Involves
Chimney repairs cover repointing crumbling mortar, repairing or replacing lead flashing, resetting or replacing chimney pots and flaunching, and dealing with leaks where the stack meets the roof. Chimney removals take down a stack that's no longer needed, and the roof is then made good.
It's for homeowners with a chimney that's leaking, visibly deteriorating, leaning, shedding bricks or mortar, or simply no longer used. Chimneys are the most exposed part of most houses and take the full brunt of Kent's wind and rain.
Chimney work is at height, on the most exposed part of the roof, and often involves heavy masonry. It needs proper access and experience. A chimney problem is also a common cause of leaks that are wrongly blamed on the roof itself, so an experienced eye saves you paying for the wrong repair.
The cost of waiting
What Happens If It's Left
A neglected chimney doesn't just look tired; it's a genuine hazard. Weathered mortar lets bricks loosen, flashing fails and water runs down inside the stack and the walls beside it.
Falling masonry
Loose bricks, pots and flaunching can fall onto the roof, paths or people below.
Persistent leaks
Failed flashing and porous brickwork let water into lofts, chimney breasts and upstairs rooms.
Damp chimney breasts
Stains and damp patches on chimney breasts inside the house are a common sign.
Instability
A badly weathered or leaning stack can become unstable in high winds.
Common mistakes homeowners make
- Assuming a leak near the chimney is a roof tile problem.
- Leaving a disused chimney to deteriorate because it's 'not used any more'.
- Patching flashing with sealant instead of properly dressing and fixing it.
- Ignoring bits of mortar or brick found in the garden or gutters.
How it works
Our Process, Step by Step
- 01
Assessment
We look at the stack, pots, flaunching, pointing and flashing to find the problem.
- 02
Honest options
Repair, rebuild or removal; we give you straight answers on what makes sense before any work starts.
- 03
Clear quote
Priced individually. We explain everything before work starts.
- 04
The work
Repairs or removal carried out safely, with the roof made good afterwards.
- 05
Tidy-up and warranty
Debris cleared and the warranty terms for the work explained.
Why it's worth it
What You Get
Safety
Remove the risk of falling masonry from a deteriorating stack.
Stop leaks
Proper flashing and pointing keeps water out of the loft and chimney breast.
Straight answers
Clear advice on repair versus removal before any work starts.
Experience
18 years of hands-on roofing and chimney work.
In detail
A Closer Look at Chimney Repairs & Removals
Repointing chimney stacks
Mortar is the sacrificial part of brickwork; it's designed to weather before the bricks do. On exposed chimneys it eventually erodes, leaving gaps that let water in and allow bricks to loosen. Repointing removes the failed mortar and replaces it, restoring the stack's weather resistance and strength.
Chimney flashing
The joint between the chimney and the roof is sealed with lead flashing: aprons at the front, stepped flashings down the sides and a back gutter behind. If any of these are lifted, split or poorly fixed, water runs straight in. Flashing repairs are one of the most common chimney jobs and one of the most effective ways to cure a persistent leak.
Pots, flaunching and cowls
The flaunching is the mortar cap on top of the stack that holds the pots in place and sheds water. When it cracks, water gets into the stack and pots can become loose. Resetting pots and renewing flaunching keeps the top of the chimney secure and weathertight.
Chimney removals
If a chimney is no longer used and is deteriorating, removing it can be a sensible alternative to ongoing repairs. The stack is taken down and the roof is made good so that it's weathertight. Before any removal we'll talk you through the options and what's involved for your property.
Signs your chimney needs repairing
From the ground, look for missing or crumbling mortar between the bricks, spalled or broken bricks, cracked flaunching at the top of the stack, pots that are leaning or loose, vegetation growing from the stack, and flashing that has lifted away from the brickwork. Inside, damp patches or staining on the chimney breast, particularly after heavy rain, and bits of mortar or brick falling into the fireplace are common warning signs.
A chimney that visibly leans should be looked at promptly, as it may be unstable.
Chimneys on older Kent properties
Many older houses and cottages in Kent have tall or multiple chimney stacks built with soft bricks and lime mortar. These need a sympathetic approach, using materials that suit the original construction helps the stack breathe and weather naturally. Using the wrong materials on an old chimney can trap moisture and speed up deterioration.
Disused chimneys and ventilation
If a chimney is no longer used for a fire, it's still important that it stays in good condition and remains weathertight. A disused flue that is sealed without any ventilation can trap moisture, leading to damp on the chimney breast. Capping a disused chimney correctly keeps rain out while allowing some airflow. If you've stopped using an open fire, it's worth having the stack checked and capped properly.
Chimneys and storm damage
Chimneys are the tallest and most exposed part of most roofs, so they take the full force of high winds. Pots can be dislodged, flaunching cracked and flashing lifted in a single storm. If you notice anything different about your chimney after bad weather, have it looked at promptly. Because Alliance operates 24 hours a day, we can respond quickly if a damaged chimney poses a risk.
Chimney repairs across Kent
Kent's older housing stock, from Canterbury and Rochester's period properties to cottages around Ashford and Romney Marsh, has a lot of chimneys, many of them exposed and ageing. We carry out chimney repairs and removals throughout the county.
Why Alliance
Why Kent Homeowners Choose Us for Chimney Repairs & Removals
Alliance Roofing and Property Maintenance is a family-run business founded by Perrin Harber, who has worked in the trade since the age of 11 alongside his dad. With 18 years of hands-on experience, Perrin still works side by side with his dad, supported by a couple of regular leads, and can bring together a larger team when a job calls for it.
When you contact us about chimney repairs & removals, you deal with the people who actually do the work. Reviewers regularly describe the team as friendly, honest, polite and tidy, with fair prices and no hard sell. Every job is priced individually, warranty terms vary by the work carried out, and we hold public liability insurance. We're open 24 hours a day, listed on Checkatrade and Bark, and rated 9.56/10 on Checkatrade.
FAQs
Chimney Repairs & Removals: Your Questions Answered
How much do chimney repairs cost?+
It depends on the work needed and the access. Every chimney job is priced individually after we've assessed it.
Is my leak coming from the chimney?+
Leaks near a chimney are very often caused by failed flashing or pointing rather than the roof tiles. We'll find the actual cause before recommending any work.
Should I repair or remove my chimney?+
If the chimney is still used or adds character, repair usually makes sense. If it's disused and deteriorating, removal can be an option. We'll give you straight answers before any work starts.
How long does chimney work take?+
Repointing or flashing repairs are often relatively quick; rebuilds and removals take longer. We'll confirm timescales when we quote.
Do you take a deposit?+
For jobs over roughly £1,000, we ask for a 50% deposit. Smaller jobs don't require one.
What warranty do I get?+
Warranty terms vary depending on the work carried out. We'll explain the warranty that applies to your job when we quote.
Are you insured?+
Yes. We hold public liability insurance.
Are you available for emergencies?+
Yes. We operate 24 hours a day, and our typical emergency response time is within 2 hours.
Which areas of Kent do you cover?+
We're based at TN27 9JB and cover Kent, including Ashford, Canterbury, Herne Bay, Rochester, Strood, Gillingham, Chatham, Gravesend and Romney Marsh.
Still have a question? Contact us or return to the homepage.
Get your chimney repairs & removals sorted properly
Honest advice, a clear quote and no hard sell. Rated 9.56/10 on Checkatrade, insured, open 24 hours.