Project At A Glance
The Brief
This chimney in Wrexham was due repointing. Rain, frost and wind wear away the mortar between the bricks over the years, and the top of the stack takes the worst of it, including the flaunching, the sloping mortar bed that holds the pots in place and sheds water. Once water gets in, it can lead to loose brickwork, damp on the chimney breast inside and, in time, a stack that needs rebuilding.
The answer was to renew the mortar properly: scaffold the chimney for safe access, take the old mortar off the top, grind out the whole stack, then repoint it and flaunch the top.
Before & After
BeforeAfterDrag the slider to compare the chimney top before and after repointing and flaunching.
All the before and after photos
Grinding Out The Old Mortar
Before any new mortar goes in, the old has to come out. Once the scaffold was up, we took the old mortar off the top of the stack and ground out the whole chimney, leaving clean joints ready for repointing.
This is the step that decides how long the job lasts. New mortar bonds best to a clean, properly cut joint, not to old, crumbling material.
Why We Scaffold A Chimney
A chimney sits at the highest and most exposed part of a house, and good repointing is slow, careful work. A scaffold gives us a stable, safe platform to work from and room to reach the whole stack, so every joint is finished evenly and the flaunching is shaped properly at the top.
If your chimney needs the same, we will explain what access is needed and include it clearly in your quote.
How We Approach A Job Like This
The order we worked in on this chimney:
Erect scaffolding to give a safe working platform at the chimney.
Take the old mortar off the top of the stack.
Grind out the whole chimney, ready for repointing.
Repoint the joints with fresh mortar.
Flaunch the top of the stack, then check the finished job and leave the property tidy.
Signs Your Chimney May Need Repointing
The things we look for:
- Crumbling, sandy or missing mortar between the bricks.
- Gaps or deep recesses in the joints.
- Loose, flaking or damaged bricks.
- Cracked or crumbling flaunching around the pots.
- Damp patches or staining on the chimney breast inside the house.
If you can see any of these, it is worth getting the chimney looked at before water does more damage. See our main chimney repairs page for everything we do.
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In Summary
This Wrexham project saw a chimney scaffolded for safe access, the old mortar taken off the top, the whole stack ground out and then repointed, with the top flaunched. Done properly, repointing protects the brickwork and keeps water out. If your chimney is crumbling, leaking or looking tired, we would be happy to take a look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does repointing a chimney involve?
Repointing means removing the old, failing mortar from the joints between the bricks and filling them with fresh mortar. On this job the old mortar was taken off the top of the stack and the whole chimney was ground out first, so the new mortar had clean, solid joints to bond to.
What is flaunching?
Flaunching is the sloping bed of mortar at the top of a chimney stack that holds the pots in place and sheds rainwater away from them. Because it sits right at the top, it takes the worst of the weather, so it is renewed as part of this kind of job.
Why was the chimney ground out?
Grinding out the old mortar removes the loose, weathered material and leaves clean joints of a proper depth. New mortar bonds far better to a clean joint than to old crumbling mortar, which helps the repointing last.
Why did you use scaffolding?
A chimney is at the highest and most exposed part of a house, so we put scaffolding up to give a stable, safe platform to work from. It also gives us room to work properly on the whole stack, so the repointing is even and neat.
How do I know if my chimney needs repointing?
Common signs are crumbling or missing mortar between the bricks, gaps in the joints, loose or flaking bricks, cracked flaunching around the pots, and damp or staining on the chimney breast inside the house. If you are not sure, send us a photo or call us and we can advise.
How much does chimney repointing cost?
It depends on the height and size of the stack, how much of it needs work and the access required, including whether scaffolding is needed. We will look at your chimney and give you a clear, free, no-obligation quote.
Which areas do you cover?
We are based in Wrexham and cover North Wales, north Shropshire and west Cheshire, including Chester, Flintshire, Denbighshire and the Wirral. We also take on jobs in Liverpool and Merseyside by arrangement.
How do I get a quote?
Call us on 07718 226162 or use the quote form, and tell us about the chimney. Quotes are free and come with no obligation.
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