Much like the roofs of our house, our chimney stacks are exposed to all of the elements up there above our homes. From battling winds and flying debris, to rain and heat exposure, they remain standing through it all. Or… so they should do! It is important to keep check of your chimney stack regularly to ensure that it can remain standing. We have created a guide of the top three things to look out for surrounding your chimney, allowing yours to remain in the greatest condition for years to come.
It is important to remember that, should you find one of the below faults on or around your chimney stack, you should arrange for repair work as soon as possible. The risk of falling debris, brick or tile from the roof of your home could form large damage to vehicles, gardens, patios or even passers-by which you would be held accountable for. Repair work can also prove costly due to the need of scaffolding to be put up around your home to allow for a safe repair.
Mould
Moisture build up between the bricks of your chimney stack will almost always lead to mould growth. You will often be able to spot signs of mould as a white stain covering the brick. The longer the mould is left on your chimney, the larger the surface area it will begin to cover, resulting in a mould ridden chimney which can often bring on other forms of damage. You will be more susceptible to mould growth if there has been frequent rainfall or if you live in an area of high levels of damp or precipitation, such as by the sea.
Damaged flashings
The flashing of your chimney stack is the lead seal that secures the bottom end of your chimney to the roof of your home. This lead is often strong standing through all weather types, but like anything else, may need replacing after a long period of time due to wear and tear. If you can see visible signs of rust, denting or holes on or around the lead flashing, it is time to call for professional assistance. More often than not, it is safer to replace the flashing rather than to repair a small section of it. The concern with damaged flashing is that if water finds a way into your chimney stack or home, your home could then become the host of rotting wood, indoor mould and damp.
Crumbling brickwork
If you notice that the brickwork upon your chimney stack is showing signs of crumbling, decaying or cracking, this is a cause for concern. This is manly a result of cold or wet weathering, of which both factors can also increase the levels of damage over time if left un-mended and cause mould or moisture to spread into your home or chimney. Crumbling brickwork is inevitable overtime as it is something that purely comes with age, and so this makes it even more important to keep an eye out for – especially if you are unsure of the age of your roof and chimney.
If you have concerns about the condition of your chimney stack, roof or guttering and would like to arrange for a professional assessment, repair work or replacement, then get in touch with our friendly team at Roof Rescue where we will be happy to assist you and your home. Call us on 020 3189 1618 to book an appointment.
