A chimney is an essential part of any home. It provides ventilation for your heating system and removes dangerous gases from your home. However, like any other structure, a chimney can deteriorate over time. When that happens, it’s important to have it repaired before it becomes a bigger problem. One common issue with chimneys is the need for repointing. In this article, we’ll discuss the chimney repointing cost, its benefits and factors that influence it.
How much Chimney Repointing Cost?
Repointing a chimney can vary in cost depending on various factors. For example, if it’s a large chimney stack in the center of the roof, it can cost around £1200. However, the price can vary based on location, the type of chimney, whether it’s at the end or middle of the roof, and the height of the chimney.
Typically, a roofer charges around £150 per day in labor costs, and they usually work in pairs for safety reasons. So, you can expect to pay around £200-£250 for two workers.
The time required for the job depends on the size of the chimney and where it’s located. For a small chimney, it can take up to one day, whereas a larger chimney can take 2-3 days on average.
Additional Chimney Repointing Cost to Consider
In addition to the cost of tradesmen for repointing a chimney, scaffold hire is the main extra expense. The cost of scaffold hire will depend on the type and size of the scaffold structure required, how long it’s needed, and the location in the UK.
As a general guide, you can expect to pay around £250 per day for a tower scaffold in one area of your house. However, the actual cost can vary depending on the specific requirements.
What is Chimney Repointing?
Chimney repointing is the process of chimney repair of the mortar joints between the bricks of a chimney. Over time, weathering and deterioration can cause these joints to crack, allowing moisture to seep in and damage the structure of the chimney. Repointing involves removing the damaged mortar and replacing it with new mortar to ensure the chimney is stable and waterproof.
Factors that Affect Chimney Repointing Cost
The cost of repointing a chimney can vary depending on several factors. Some of these include:
Chimney Height and Size
The size and height of your chimney will affect the cost of repointing. Taller and larger chimneys require more time and materials, which increases the overall cost.
Chimney Condition
The condition of your chimney can also affect the cost of repointing. If your chimney has extensive damage, it may require more work and materials to repair, which can increase the cost.
Location
The location of your chimney can also impact the cost of repointing. If your chimney is in a difficult-to-reach location, such as a rooftop, it may require specialized equipment or additional labor, which can increase the cost.
Chimney Access
Access to your chimney can also affect the cost of repointing. If your chimney is difficult to access, such as being located behind an obstacle, it may require more time and labor to repair, which can increase the cost.
Chimney Material
The type of material your chimney is made of can also affect the cost of repointing. Different materials require different types of mortar, which can impact the cost.
What is involved in the Chimney Repointing Process?
If you’re planning to repoint your chimney due to a leak, it’s important to inspect other related components, such as the chimney pot, flaunching, lead around the chimney base, tiles around the chimney, and flashing. These components may also need replacing if they’re damaged.
Since scaffold erection is usually necessary for repointing a chimney, it may be beneficial to consider any other pending jobs that require scaffold access, such as work on fascia, soffit, or guttering.
The challenging part of repointing a chimney is ensuring safe access to the chimney and working at a height. This is where a scaffolding company can provide safe access. After gaining access, it’s important to inspect the flaunching on top of the chimney and replace it if it’s in poor condition.
To begin repointing a chimney, it’s important to remove the old pointing and brush away any loose dust. Avoid the temptation of just adding a thin layer of cement on top of the old pointing, as it won’t last and will peel off after a few months. For a long-lasting job that can withstand British weather, it’s crucial to remove the old cement to a depth of around an inch or more, and then apply new cement to the brick course.
While repointing can be done as a DIY project, it’s essential to be comfortable working at heights and have safe access to the chimney, such as using a scaffold or access tower. No planning permission is required for this job.
Benefits of repointing a chimney
Save Money
While it may seem like a small expense to get your chimney repointed, the cost of dealing with a chimney stack that has been left to degrade to the point where it is no longer structurally safe can be significant. By repointing your chimney, you can avoid costly repairs down the line.
Keep Your Chimney Looking Great
Like any brickwork, the visual appearance of your chimney stack will suffer if you neglect to repair crumbling and missing mortar. Without repointing, your chimney will start to look old and worn out. It is often difficult to appreciate just how much of an impact repointing can have on the overall aesthetics of your building until you see it for yourself.
Keep Your Home Waterproof
One of the risks of crumbling mortar is water damage. Water can seep into the brickwork and cause damage to various parts of your home. This is particularly true for chimney stacks, where water can enter the chimney and then make its way into other parts of the house. By repointing your chimney, you can protect your home from water damage.
Keep Your Chimney Safe
The most important reason to repoint your chimney is to keep it structurally sound and safe. Neglecting to repoint your chimney can result in property damage or even injury. By repointing your chimney when necessary, you can ensure that it remains safe for you and your family.
Cost of removing a chimney
When people mention “chimney replacement,” they are usually referring to replacing the chimney stack. If your chimney is no longer structurally sound and cannot be repaired through repointing, you may need to have the chimney stack removed.
The cost of removing a chimney stack typically ranges from £900 to £1,200, depending on various factors such as the size of the chimney. Roofers typically work in pairs and charge around £250 to £300 per day, but the job should not take more than a day.
Factors that Determine Chimney Repointing Cost
Providing an accurate quote for chimney repointing is challenging due to several factors that can affect the cost.
Ease of access
The ease of access to the chimney affects the number of workers required and the need for scaffolding, which adds to the overall cost.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding is essential for safety when working on tall buildings, and the complexity of the scaffold structure required will affect the cost of the quote.
Hiring a Chimney Repointing Contractor
When searching for a contractor to hire for repointing your chimney, it’s important to consider their experience and credentials in this specific type of work. It’s best to avoid hiring someone with little to no experience in chimney work.
While a freelance contractor may be slightly less expensive than a larger firm, it’s important to note that larger firms typically charge more but may have more experience and expertise. The larger contractors will also ensure that all the regulations are met when repointing a chimney.
Make sure the contractor you choose has all the necessary insurance to work on your property, in case of any damage occurring during the work. There are various websites available that allow you to find and check reviews of tradesmen, which can be helpful in making your decision.
At LD Roofing Services Ltd, we are the most preferred roofing contractors in Northampton and surrounding areas. If you have a requirement, do get in touch with us.
