How to Fix a Leaking Chimney in the UK?

A leaking chimney is not just annoying but also causes damage to your house and expensive repairs. A chimney leak is not due to any one reason; it can occur according to different areas and their weather conditions. But fixing is not as difficult as it seems. So, in this article, we will guide you on how to fix a leaking chimney and also share a real-life chimney leak repair case from Norwich, where our RBG roofing team successfully detected and solved a chimney leaking issue.

Common Causes of a Leaking Chimney

Let’s discuss the possible cause of a chimney leak that occurs in every house:

Damaged Chimney Flashing

Flashing is basically a metal seal around the chimney, that stops the water from coming close to the roof. If the flashing becomes cracked or loose, then water can leak in.

Old Bricks and Mortar

Bricks and mortar absorb a lot of water and in winter when the temperature slightly rises the ice becomes water and the water absorbs in them. Some waterproofing material is not good enough and water still gets in.

Cracks in Chimney Crown

The Crown is usually made up of cement and is used on the top to stop the rain and snow from coming in. Cracks can occur in the crown due to shifting the chimney structure and through cracks water can easily go inside.

Condensation Inside Chimney

Chimneys require proper ventilation otherwise the moisture will remain inside them. And if the moisture remains inside then obviously it causes leaks. You should remember this while building a house in the UK. 

How to Fix a Leaking Chimney? Experts Guide

If you think that your chimney has a minor leak then you can follow these steps but if you don’t understand the reason for the leak and how to do it then you should hire a professional to do this job.

1- Examine the Chimney

Examine the chimney very carefully. First of all look for any visible cracks, loose mortar or damaged flashing. Then carefully look for water strains around the chimney area. You can also use a hose to spray water on the chimney, just to see where the leak is.

2- Fix the Flashing

If the chimney flashing is damaged or loose, then immediately replace it with the new metal sheets. Also, seal the gaps with a high-quality roofing sealant to prevent the chimney from any further leaks.

3- Repair bricks and Mortar

If the mortar is damaged, then repoint it by replacing it with a new one with the help of a chisel (tool). And if the bricks are cracked, then immediately replace them because this can cause heavy water leaks.

4- Seal the Chimney Crown

Your chimney crown should be sealed, otherwise it has no use for the long term. Use a good quality sealant to coat the chimney crown and stop cracks from further occurring. And if a crown is damaged badly, then replace it with a new one.

5- Install Chimeny Cap

This is a very important step in this procedure. A chimney cap is used to stop rain, snow, and animals from entering inside. Also, make sure the cap is fit properly to stop water from coming inside.

6- Waterproof your Chimney

Apply a waterproof sealant to the outside of the chimney to stop the moisture damage. Make sure to choose a good sealant that is also breathable, that also allows moisture to escape while stopping water entry.

Case Study: Fixing a Leaking Chimney in Norwich

Recently, a homeowner in Eaton, Norwich noticed water patches on their living room wall. At first, they thought that it was just a minor condensation, but after heavy rainfall, water started leaking inside the chimney. Then he got worried and contacted our company, RBG Roofers Norwich for an inspection.

Inspection

When the RGB team started the chimney inspection they found out that the metal flashing around the chimney was damaged, the mortar between the bricks was damaged and the crown of the chimney had cracks. The homeowner became relaxed but at the same time also worried because of the damage this leak would cause to his house. But, our RBG team guided him and committed to fixing the chimney leak properly.

How RBG Roofing Fixed the Leaking Chimney?

Since the chimney flashing and mortar were damaged, the team replaced them with new ones. They also applied a sealant on the chimney crown to stop rainwater from coming inside because it had visible cracks. Also, the team guided the homeowner to do regular inspections of the chimney to prevent expensive repairs.

Results

After doing all the steps and procedures of chimney leak repair, our RBG team tested everything by spraying water on the chimney and roof. And guess what? No leaks were detected! The homeowner was fully satisfied and gave a 5-star review with a good note.

“I was so worried about the water damage, but RBG Roofing did an amazing job. Now, even after heavy rain, there are no more leaks! I highly recommend them to anyone dealing with a leaking chimney.”

Conclusion

So, if you have a chimney leak, it’s important to fix it immediately to prevent any further damage to your property. Whether it’s replacing flashing, sealing cracks, or waterproofing, a proper chimney leak repair keeps your home dry and safe. And if you don’t know how to fix a chimney leak, you can hire our professional RBG roofing team for an inspection and repair.

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