Chimney Repair
|
Apart from adding to the aesthetics of the home and the value of the property, the major role a roof plays is to protect the property and occupants from the weather elements – sun, rainfall,
Chimneys are a common feature of Victorian England and the industrial revolution. They were common in many homes with a fireplace. Chimneys in a home put up with a lot. Internally, they deal with fires being lit at their bottom. Externally they are exposed to the weather elements of wind and rain. It is important for your chimney to remain in good working order. Key parts of the chimney are: Chimney Breast – the portion of a chimney which projects from a wall to accommodate a fireplace. Chimney Stack – the part of the chimney that projects above the roof. Chimney Pots – the ceramic pots that sit on top of the chimney that add beauty and character Flaunching – the sloping layer or fillet of cement that forms the base for the chimney pot. Chimney Cowl – designed to keep birds and vermin out of your chimney and stop rain entry. They increase an upward current of air (updraught) and decrease downdraught. In this write up we discuss some of the key topics relating to repairing and maintaining a chimney and round off with the estimated costs for each task. Chimney Repair Chimney repair is a collection of activities to keep your chimney working well. For your chimney to function properly it must be well maintained. Common repair issues with chimneys include:
Who repairs chimneys? Roofers usually offer chimney repair as one of their services. For instance, if a chimney has leaks caused by bad or improperly installed flashing, a skilled roofer will remove the roofing material around the chimney, install new flashings and replace the roofing to seal up the tie between the roof and chimney. What is the meaning of chimney Sweep? A Chimney sweep means clearing ash and soot from chimneys so that the chimney continues its efficient and safe operation of all solid fuel burning. A sweep keeps the chimney clear. Chimney sweeps are essential for homes with a fireplace. Nowadays, they are safer than what obtained in the Victorian times and does not involve someone physically entering the chimney flue. With a chimney sweep kit which includes vacuums and specialist cleaning tools, a sweep can clean from top or the bottom of the chimney. How often should you have your chimney swept? Apart from exceptional circumstances, scheduling a chimney sweep once a year is sufficient. However, if you have a wood-burning chimney then it should be cleaned between 2 to 4 times a year. Would sweeping my chimney make a mess? The answer is no if you are using a professional and licenced chimney sweeper. They should be equipped with the necessary tools which include a chimney sweep kit consisting of specialist cleaning equipment and industry sheets to recover soot and not create a mess. A professional and experienced chimney specialist should always work from bottom up. Therefore, any soot will be released through the chimney caps. Do chimney sweeps need a licence? The simple answer is no. However, it is always better to hire a professional chimney specialist or qualified local roofer for this task. Chimney Flashing Chimney flashing is a sheet of metal installed around the area where the chimney meets the roof. It prevents water entry or leaks and ensures the connection between the chimney and the roof is watertight. Issues with chimney flashing is a common feature of a chimney repair as they are susceptible to wear and tear which could mean leaks. In this case they have to be replaced. Other key issues with flashing are if they are not installed properly then water would enter the property through the chimney. Chimney Repointing If the mortar in your brickwork is failing and letting water into your chimney, then repointing is essential. Chimneys are constructed with mortar joints to keep the structure in place. With time and exposure to the weather elements, joints can decay and create voids between the chimney bricks. If your chimney bricks are in good shape, then repointing would be the solution. Repointing a chimney means restoring the appearance and structure of the chimney while preventing further damage and moisture entering between the bricks. Where there is structural damage, then chimney rebuilding is the better option. Chimney Flue Chimney flue is the passage for smoke, gas, or products of combustion to be moved outdoors. In some conversations, chimney refers to the exterior while flue the interior. The flue is usually made of clay, ceramic or metal and it protects the chimney walls from heat and corrosion. Costs How much does a chimney sweep cost near me? The estimated cost for a chimney sweep is between £50 to £100. £100 is usually the top end and will be found in London mainly. Across the UK a range of £50 to £80 should be okay. How much does it cost to install a chimney flue? Stainless Steel Liners costs between £450 and £700 for chimneys that are 40 -50 inches. Concrete Liners cost between £750 and £1000 for chimneys of 55 – 80 inches. How much does it cost to repoint a chimney? Repointing a small chimney will cost anywhere in the region of £500. A larger chimney will cost approximately £1,000. Depending on the size of the chimney, the work can take roughly 2 to 3 days. How much does chimney flashing cost? The price of replacing all 4 sides of flashing including labour and materials is between £400 and £500 if no scaffolding is required. Scaffolding costs range from £300 to £550 therefore the total cost could be between £700 and £1000 depending on the size of the building. In summary, having a good maintenance programme will reduce the need for repairs. This means
|
|