Cracked Chimney Repair Services
A cracked chimney is a problem that gets worse every time it rains or freezes. Abel Roofing repairs cracked chimneys across London and Surrey before the damage spreads.
Spotted a crack in your chimney? Call Abel Roofing today on 07789 182040 and we will take a look.
Were Rated Excellent In The Area
“Repair/replacement of roof”
Job location: GU15
“Complete Roof Replacement”
“This is the second large job Abel Roofing have completed for us in the last 12-months. Same high standard of workmanship and customer service. Cliff and his team are brilliant and we couldn’t recommend them highly enough.”
Job location: GU15
“Replacing flat roof after storm damage”
Job location: SW11
“A first rate job”
Job location: RG27
“Fantastic Service, Fantastic People”
Job location: SW4
What Causes a Cracked Chimney
Chimneys crack for a number of reasons. Freeze and thaw cycles are the most common cause. Water gets into small gaps in the mortar or brickwork, freezes overnight and forces the material apart. Do this enough times and what starts as a hairline crack becomes a structural problem.
Age plays a part too. Older chimneys were built with softer mortars that break down over time. Once the mortar starts to fail, the bricks shift and crack. Poor original construction and lack of maintenance speed this process up considerably.
How Bad Can It Get
A small crack in the outside of a chimney stack might not look serious. But water does not need much of a gap to get inside. Once it is in, it causes damp patches on ceilings and walls, damages the flue lining and in cold weather it keeps widening the crack further.
If the cracking is structural, the chimney can become unstable. Loose or shifting brickwork is a safety risk, especially in high winds. The longer a crack is left, the more expensive the repair tends to be.
What Cracked Chimney Repair Involves
When we come out to repair a cracked chimney, we start with a full inspection. We look at the outside of the stack, the mortar joints, the crown, the flashing and where the chimney meets the roof. If access is needed at height, we use scaffolding or ladder access depending on the job.
Once we know what we are dealing with, we carry out the repair using the right materials for the type of chimney and the nature of the crack. That might mean repointing, applying a waterproof sealant, replacing the crown or relining part of the flue.
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Why Get a Cracked Chimney Repaired Now
Cracks do not stay the same size. Every winter makes them worse. Water gets in, freezes and pushes the crack wider. By spring, what was a minor issue in autumn has become a much bigger repair.
Damp caused by a cracked chimney can spread into the rooms below. Once damp gets into plaster, ceilings and timber, the repair bill grows fast. Fixing the chimney crack early keeps those costs down.
If the crack reaches the flue lining, it becomes a safety issue. Combustion gases including carbon monoxide can leak into the home if the flue is compromised. That is not a risk worth taking.
A cracked chimney also shows up in surveys. Buyers and their surveyors will flag it, and it can delay or derail a sale. Getting it fixed and documented protects the value of your property.
Abel Roofing carries out cracked chimney repairs across London and Surrey. We use the right materials, work safely at height and give you a clear account of everything we have done.
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Chimney Repairs Frequently Asked Questions
The most obvious signs are visible cracks in the brickwork or mortar joints when you look at the chimney from outside. Inside the house, damp patches on the ceiling near the chimney breast or on the wall around the chimney stack are a strong indicator that water is getting in through a crack somewhere.
It can be. Structural cracks can make the chimney unstable, which is a risk if brickwork becomes loose or starts to shift. Cracks that reach the flue lining are a more serious risk because they can allow combustion gases to escape into the home. Any crack that is spreading or has reached the interior of the chimney should be looked at straight away.
Small surface cracks can sometimes be stable, but it is difficult to judge this without a proper inspection. Most cracks in chimneys do get worse over time, particularly through winter. Getting it checked costs nothing and means you know exactly what you are dealing with before it develops further.
Mortar cracks are more common and usually easier to repair. Repointing with fresh mortar restores the joint and stops water getting in. Cracks in the bricks themselves can point to more significant movement or structural issues and may require sections to be rebuilt rather than just repointed.
If the crack is minor, a waterproof sealant can be applied to stop water penetrating further. If the crown has cracked significantly or broken apart, it usually needs to be replaced entirely. A new crown is formed to sit properly over the chimney stack and keep water out at the top.
Most chimney repairs at height require scaffolding to be done safely and to the correct standard. For lower sections or minor work, ladder access may be sufficient. We assess each job individually and will tell you upfront what access is needed before any work begins.
Most repairs take one to two days depending on the extent of the cracking and the type of work involved. More significant jobs such as partial rebuilds or full relining take longer. We give you a clear timeline before we start.
If the crack is what is letting water in, then yes, fixing it should stop the damp at its source. However, if damp has already spread into the plaster or structure, that will need to dry out over time. We check the full extent of the water ingress as part of the repair process.
Many repairs can be carried out through the colder months. Repointing and mortar work does require temperatures above freezing to cure properly, so we time that type of work accordingly and use appropriate materials where needed. We will always advise you on the best approach for the time of year.
A repair carried out with the correct materials and technique should last a long time. Repointing done properly can last 20 to 30 years. Crowns and caps replaced to the right specification will similarly last many years. Regular annual checks help catch any new deterioration before it becomes a repair job again.
Not always. Minor cracks in a flue lining can sometimes be repaired with a suitable liner repair system. More extensive cracking or deterioration usually means the lining needs to be replaced in full. We inspect the flue as part of every chimney repair visit and advise you on the best course of action.
We try to match the existing brick and mortar as closely as possible. On older chimneys this can sometimes be difficult because the original materials are no longer in production. We will always discuss this with you and show you the materials we plan to use before the work starts.
Yes. A chimney in good condition with documented repair work removes a flag that surveyors commonly raise during property sales. Buyers and their solicitors respond well to evidence that the chimney has been properly repaired by qualified tradespeople. It also removes the risk of being asked to reduce your asking price to account for chimney repairs.
Call Abel Roofing on 07789 182040 or fill in the contact form on our website. We will arrange a time to come out and inspect the chimney, assess the cracking and give you a clear quote for the work before anything is agreed.