When Your Chimney Is the Source of the Problem

A surprising number of roof leaks in Burton upon Trent have nothing to do with the tiles or slates themselves. The real culprit is often the chimney. Crumbling mortar joints, failed lead flashing, cracked render, or a deteriorating chimney stack can all let water pour into your home — and the damage often shows up in rooms well away from where the chimney sits, making it difficult to trace.

At Hight Rise Roofing, chimney repairs and leadwork are one of our most common call-outs. We see it week in, week out across Burton, Swadlincote, Derby, and the surrounding villages. The good news is that most chimney problems are fixable without major disruption, provided they are caught before the damage spreads too far.

Chimney Repointing

The mortar between the bricks of your chimney stack is constantly exposed to rain, frost, wind, and temperature changes. Over the years, this mortar breaks down, crumbles, and falls out. When the joints open up, water gets inside the chimney structure, tracks down through the brickwork, and ends up as damp patches on your walls and ceilings.

Chimney repointing involves raking out the old, damaged mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar that matches the original colour and profile. It is a skilled job — getting the mortar mix right is important to ensure it lasts and does not cause further damage to the bricks. We use the correct lime or cement mortar depending on the age and type of your chimney.

If your chimney mortar is crumbling, gaps are visible between the bricks, or you can see loose mortar debris in your gutters, it is time to get it repointed before water ingress causes serious problems inside your home.

Lead Flashing

Lead flashing is the waterproof seal where your roof meets a vertical surface — most commonly around chimney stacks, but also where a roof meets a wall, around skylights, or at the junction between different roof levels. It is one of the most critical weatherproofing elements on any roof.

When lead flashing fails, water runs straight down the inside of the wall or into the roof structure. Common problems we see include:

  • Lifted or peeling flashing — Wind and thermal expansion can pull lead away from the wall over time.
  • Cracked lead — Older lead work can develop fatigue cracks, especially on south-facing chimneys where thermal movement is greatest.
  • Missing or patched flashing — Previous repairs using cement fillets or roofing sealant instead of proper lead are a common cause of ongoing leaks.
  • Failed mortar chase — The mortar that holds the lead into the brickwork can crack and fall out, leaving the flashing loose.

We strip out old or failed flashing and replace it with new code 4 or code 5 lead sheet, properly dressed into chases cut in the brickwork and sealed with the correct pointing mortar. This is a permanent repair, not a temporary patch.

Lead Valleys

Lead valleys are the channels that run along the internal angle where two roof slopes meet. They carry a large volume of rainwater, and when they fail, the leak can be significant. In Burton upon Trent, many properties — particularly semi-detached and detached houses — have at least one lead valley.

Over time, lead valleys can crack, develop pinhole leaks, or become blocked with moss and debris. We replace worn-out lead valleys with new lead, ensuring correct overlaps and fixing to prevent future problems. If your valley is leaking, this is not something to leave — the volume of water that runs through a valley during heavy rain can cause extensive damage to timbers and ceilings in a short space of time.

Chimney Stack Repairs

Beyond repointing and flashing, chimney stacks can suffer from more serious structural issues. Leaning stacks, loose coping stones, cracked pots, and deteriorating render all need attention. In some cases, a chimney stack that is no longer used may need to be reduced in height or removed above the roofline to prevent ongoing maintenance issues.

We carry out all types of chimney stack repairs, from replacing individual coping stones and re-rendering to partial rebuilds and safe removal. If your chimney is no longer in use and you are tired of spending money on it, we can discuss your options — including fitting a vented cap to keep the rain out while maintaining ventilation to prevent damp.

Serving Burton upon Trent and the Wider Area

We carry out chimney repairs and leadwork across Burton upon Trent, including Stapenhill, Winshill, Branston, Stretton, and Horninglow. We also cover Swadlincote, Uttoxeter, Derby, Lichfield, and Tamworth. As a local business, we can usually get to you quickly for an initial assessment.

Chimney and leadwork problems are best dealt with sooner rather than later. If you have noticed damp near your chimney breast, water stains on upstairs walls, or loose mortar in your gutters, request a free quote or call us on 07378 321251. We will inspect the problem, explain what needs doing, and give you a clear price.

We also offer full roof inspections that include a thorough check of your chimney, flashings, and leadwork — a smart move if your property is older and you want to catch problems before they become expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most obvious sign is damp or water stains on the walls or ceiling near your chimney breast, especially after heavy rain. You might also see the lead pulling away from the brickwork if you look up from ground level, or notice crumbling mortar where the lead meets the chimney. If a previous repair used cement or sealant instead of proper lead, that is almost always a temporary fix that will fail.
It depends on the height and position of your chimney. Some chimneys can be accessed safely from a roof ladder, but most require scaffolding to ensure the work is done safely and to a high standard. We will assess access during our initial visit and include any scaffolding costs in your quote — there are no hidden charges.
A properly carried out repointing job using the correct mortar mix should last 20 to 30 years, depending on the exposure of your chimney. Chimneys on the windward side of a property or in particularly exposed positions may need attention sooner. Using the right mortar for the brick type is essential — too hard a mix can damage softer bricks, while too soft a mix will not last.
Removing a chimney stack above the roofline can eliminate an ongoing source of maintenance and potential leaks. However, the chimney breast below the roof usually needs to stay in place as it may be structural. A common middle ground is to reduce the stack to just above roof level, cap it with a vented cowl to prevent rain entry while maintaining airflow, and re-tile or re-slate around it. We can advise on the best approach for your situation.