Full Chimney Stack Rebuild, Repointing & Lead Flashing Renewal in Brighton
Severely weathered chimney stack fully rebuilt, repointed and lead flashings renewed on a Brighton property — structural restoration by Kirby's BPM.
Project Details
The Problem
This Brighton chimney stack had suffered long-term deterioration: crumbling brickwork, failed mortar joints and render that had broken away from the top section, leaving the stack structurally compromised. Water was penetrating the roof below, and the chimney was no longer safe to leave in its existing state.
The Work
We stripped back all loose, damaged and moss-covered material. The top section of the stack was fully dismantled and rebuilt using matching bricks to restore the original height and appearance. The entire chimney was repointed using a strong, weather-resistant mortar, and a new chimney crown was formed with a smooth finish designed to shed water efficiently. Existing terminals were refitted and bedded securely. Once the structure was restored, all surrounding lead flashings, soakers and back gutters were renewed to provide a complete watertight seal.
The Result
A clean, well-restored chimney that is now fully protected against weather damage and further deterioration. Both the masonry and the leadwork have been renewed, so the whole junction between chimney and roof is sound.
Project Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Repointing is appropriate when the brickwork is structurally sound and only the mortar joints have eroded. If the bricks themselves are crumbling, the stack has moved or is leaning, or render has failed exposing heavily weathered masonry, a partial or full rebuild is the right approach. A proper inspection will confirm which scope is needed.
We source matching bricks as closely as possible. On older properties this sometimes means using reclaimed stock. An exact match for weathered brickwork is rarely achievable from new, but colour and texture are matched carefully and weathering will even out the appearance over time.
The mortar mix needs to be appropriate for the age and type of brickwork. Harder modern cement mixes used on soft Victorian bricks can cause the brick faces to spall as the mortar resists movement the brick would otherwise accommodate. We use the correct sand-to-cement ratios for each situation, and lime-based mixes where the original masonry requires it.
If the chimney itself has been failing for some time, the surrounding lead flashings have usually been affected too — through movement of the stack, water tracking behind them, or simply age. Renewing the lead at the same time as the structural works ensures a fully watertight result and avoids returning to do further work shortly after.
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