Chimney Repairs & Leadwork in Lowestoft

How we handle chimney repairs & leadwork

Chimney repairs and leadwork are specialist tasks that sit at the junction of brickwork, roofing, and lead work trades. Many Lowestoft homes - particularly the Victorian and Edwardian terraces in the town centre and inner residential streets - have original chimneys that have had decades of weathering and, in some cases, poor previous repairs using incorrect mortar or self-adhesive flashing tape instead of properly dressed lead.

Common chimney repair work includes repointing the brickwork with an appropriate lime-based mortar, replacing cracked or sunken flaunching (the cement bed that holds the chimney pot), re-bedding or replacing chimney pots, and replacing lead flashing. Lead flashing at the chimney base and step flashing up the sides of the stack are the most common points of failure. We cut and dress new code 4 lead correctly to the brick joints rather than using sealant or over-flashing tape, which never lasts. We also cap or remove redundant chimneys when homeowners no longer need them.

Working at chimney height is not a job for a ladder leaned against the stack. Proper scaffold or a chimney platform is required to work safely and accurately. We also use binoculars and drone photography where access is particularly difficult to diagnose the problem before committing to a price.

We survey the chimney from ground level first, provide a written quote, and erect scaffold as required. Most chimney repointing and flashing jobs take one to two days. Lead work carries a 10-year workmanship guarantee on all new installations.

Chimney repointing and lead flashing replacement in Lowestoft typically costs between £400 and £1,200 depending on the height of the stack, its condition, and whether pots need replacing.