Chimney Work
Chimney Repairs & Removalin Colne & Surrounding Areas:Building Control Handled.
Make a crumbling or leaking chimney safe and watertight, and let us deal with the building control sign-off so you don't have to.
- 25 years' experience
- 5.0 Google rating
- £5m public liability
- Checkatrade member
- 24/7 emergency callouts
The service
Chimney work done safely, signed off properly
Chimney work covers repointing stacks, renewing flaunching (the mortar around the pots), replacing pots and cowls, rebuilding damaged stacks, replacing flashings, and removing chimneys that are no longer needed.
It's needed when mortar is crumbling, pots are loose, the stack is leaning, damp is showing on the chimney breast, or a chimney is redundant and you'd rather remove it than maintain it.
Chimneys are heavy, exposed and high up. Loose bricks or pots are a real safety risk to people below. Some chimney work also falls under building regulations, and we handle the building control sign-off ourselves rather than leaving it to you.
Why it matters
The risk of leaving a failing chimney
A chimney takes the full force of wind and rain. Once mortar starts to wash out, water gets into the brickwork, freezes in winter and pushes the joints apart. Over a few years a stack can become unstable.
Loose pots and bricks can fall onto roofs, cars or people. Water entering through a failing stack causes damp chimney breasts, stained ceilings and rotting timbers around the stack.
Leaving it usually turns a repointing job into a rebuild.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring a leaning stack or loose pots.
- Assuming damp on a chimney breast is condensation.
- Removing a chimney without considering building regulations.
- Repointing with the wrong mortar for older brick or stone.
Our process
How we handle your chimney work
- 01
Inspection
We inspect the stack, pots, flaunching and flashings.
- 02
Clear recommendation
Repair, rebuild or remove: we explain the options and give you an accurate quote.
- 03
Safe access
Scaffolding is put up so the work can be done safely.
- 04
Chimney work
Repointing, flaunching, pots, flashings or removal carried out to a proper standard.
- 05
Sign-off
Where building control is needed, we handle the sign-off for you.
What you get
The benefits, in plain terms
No paperwork for you
We handle building control sign-off ourselves.
Safer home
Loose bricks and pots made secure before they fall.
Damp stopped
New flaunching and flashings keep water out of the stack.
Right materials
Mortar suited to your brick or stone.
Photo record
See the condition of a chimney you can't see from the ground.
Fully insured
£5m public liability plus employer's liability.
In detail
Chimney services in detail
Many homes across Pennine Lancashire and the Dales have tall stone or brick stacks that have stood for a century or more.
Repointing and rebuilding
Repointing replaces washed-out mortar to stop water getting into the stack. Where bricks or stones are badly damaged, or a stack is leaning, part or all of it may need rebuilding.
Flaunching, pots and cowls
Flaunching is the sloped mortar cap holding the pots in place. When it cracks, water runs straight down into the stack. We renew it, reset or replace pots, and fit cowls to keep rain and birds out.
Chimney removal
If a chimney is no longer used, removing the stack can stop ongoing maintenance and leaks. The roof is then made good with matching coverings. Removal can affect structure, so we handle building control sign-off.
Chimney flashings
Flashings seal the stack to the roof. Failed lead around a chimney is one of the most common causes of leaks we see. See our lead work page for more detail.
Stone and brick chimneys in the Pennines
Across Colne, Burnley, Keighley, Skipton and the Dales, many chimneys are built from local stone or old handmade brick. These materials need a mortar that allows them to breathe; using a hard, modern cement mortar can trap moisture and damage the stone or brick faces over time. We match the repair approach to the material so the stack lasts.
Capping unused chimneys
If you no longer use your fireplace but don't want to remove the stack, the chimney can be capped to keep rain out while still allowing ventilation. Ventilation is important: a fully sealed flue can trap moisture and cause damp on the chimney breast. We'll recommend the right cap or cowl for your chimney.
Chimney work alongside a new roof
If your roof is being replaced, it's the best time to deal with the chimney. Scaffolding is already up, the flashings will be renewed as part of the roof, and any repointing, flaunching or pot replacement can be done without paying for access a second time. Some homeowners also choose to take a redundant chimney down at this stage and have the roof run straight through, removing a maintenance job for good. We handle the building control side so it's one less thing for you to organise.
Signs your chimney needs attention
From the ground, look for missing mortar between bricks or stones, plants growing from the stack, pots that look loose or tilted, cracked flaunching, and staining on the brickwork. A stack that visibly leans should be looked at quickly. Inside, damp patches on the chimney breast, especially after heavy rain, are a strong sign that water is getting in.
Working with Vertex
What it's like to work with us
Vertex Roofing Group is a roofing company based at Emmott Court in Colne. Brendan O'Hanlon founded the business in 2017 after years on the tools, and today a team of six carries out every chimney work job we take on. You deal with the people doing the work, not a call centre.
Every job starts with a proper inspection. You get a written quote based on what we've actually seen, and if something unexpected turns up once work begins, we show you photographs and agree it with you before anything changes.
Staged payments on larger jobs
On larger projects such as roof replacements, you pay in four 25% stages: to book, when materials and scaffolding arrive, at the halfway point, and on completion and sign-off. You never pay too far ahead of the work.
Insured and reviewed
We hold £5 million public liability insurance and employer's liability cover, we're a Checkatrade member, and we're rated 5.0 on Google by customers across Lancashire and Yorkshire.
How much does chimney work cost?
It depends on the work needed and access. We inspect and give you an accurate written quote.
Do I need building control for chimney work?
Some chimney work, particularly removals, can fall under building regulations. We handle building control sign-off ourselves, so you don't have to.
Is my chimney dangerous?
Leaning stacks, loose pots and crumbling mortar can be. If you're worried, call us and we'll inspect.
Why is my chimney breast damp?
Common causes are failed flaunching, missing cowls or failed flashings. We'll find the cause.
Can you remove my chimney?
Yes. We remove redundant stacks and make the roof good, handling building control sign-off.
How long does chimney repair take?
Most repairs are completed within a few days once scaffolding is up, weather permitting.
Is chimney work guaranteed?
Standalone repairs are not covered by the 10-year insurance-backed guarantee that comes with full roof replacements. We'll explain what applies when we quote.
Which areas do you cover?
Lancashire and Yorkshire, plus Kendal and the Lake District.
Do you repoint stone chimneys?
Yes. Many chimneys across Pennine Lancashire and the Dales are local stone, and we use a mortar suited to the material so the stack can breathe and last.
Can you replace chimney pots and fit cowls?
Yes. We reset or replace pots, renew the flaunching that holds them, and fit cowls to keep rain and birds out.
Should I remove my chimney or repair it?
It depends on whether you use the fireplace and the condition of the stack. We'll explain the costs and benefits of each so you can decide.
Related services
Make your chimney safe and dry, with the paperwork handled.
Book an inspection and get a clear recommendation for your chimney.
Your next step is simple. Request an estimate or call us, and we'll arrange a time to inspect your roof. You'll see what we find, get an honest recommendation on your chimney work, and receive an accurate written quote. There's no obligation and no pressure: just clear information from a local team based in Colne who cover Lancashire, Yorkshire, Kendal and the Lake District.
£5m insured · Staged payments · 5.0 on Google