Chimney Services in Painswick, Gloucestershire

If you take a look up at your chimney stack and see gaps in the brickwork, you're looking at a leak waiting to happen. The mortar between your bricks or stones is the 'glue' that holds everything together, but over decades, it naturally starts to crumble and wash away. This is what we call 'water ingress' in the trade, but to you, it just means a damp, cold house. When we come out to your property in Painswick, we don't just slap a bit of cement over the top. We carefully rake out the old, failing mortar and replace it with high-quality materials that match the character of your home. It’s a straightforward job that can save you a fortune in structural repairs further down the line. Does your chimney look a bit worse for wear from the ground? It's probably time for a quick check-up.

The point where your chimney stack meets your roof tiles is the most common place for a leak to start. To keep the rain out, we use lead flashing—essentially a waterproof seal that bridges the gap. If this lead is cracked, or if it wasn't installed properly by a previous builder, water will find its way into your roof space every time it pours. We're specialists in traditional leadwork, from step flashing on pitched roofs to the hidden soakers that provide that extra layer of protection. Whether you're in a modern house in Stroud or a heritage cottage in the centre of Painswick, we ensure your leadwork is fitted to the highest standard. It's about more than just being 'good enough'; it's about making sure you can sleep soundly when the next big storm rolls through Gloucestershire.

Have you noticed birds trying to nest in your chimney, or maybe you're getting a nasty downdraught every time the wind blows? Installing a proper chimney cowl can solve both of those problems in one go. We also look after the 'flaunching'—that's the sloped mortar at the very top of your stack that holds the pots in place. If that mortar starts to crack, your chimney pots can become loose and dangerous. We’ll get up there, check the stability of your pots, and re-set them in fresh mortar if needed. It’s all part of our comprehensive maintenance service. We’ve seen it all, from cracked ceramic pots to missing cowls, and we carry all the tools needed to get it sorted quickly and safely without any fuss.

Not every home needs its chimney anymore, especially if you've moved over to modern heating. If you have an old stack that's constantly causing damp problems or looks like it's leaning, you might want to consider chimney removal. We can safely dismantle the stack below the roofline and tile over the area so it looks like it was never there. Alternatively, if you want to keep the look of the chimney but don't use the fire, we offer professional chimney capping. This involves sealing the top while still allowing for vital ventilation. Without that airflow, you'll end up with trapped moisture and damp walls inside your home. Whatever you're planning, we'll give you honest advice on the best route for your specific property.