The flaunching is the sloped mortar bed on top of the chimney stack that holds the pots in place and throws rainwater off the top. Years of weather crack it and break it up, letting water into the stack and leaving the pots loose. We rake out the old flaunching and lay a new one, so the pots are secure and the stack is watertight.
Signs your chimney needs attention
- Cracked or crumbling mortar around the chimney pots
- A pot that looks loose or leans
- Damp patches on chimney breasts or ceilings near the stack
- Pieces of mortar on the roof, in gutters or on the ground
- Birds or bees going in and out of the pot
What we do
- Reflaunching. Old, cracked flaunching removed and a new mortar bed laid around the pots.
- Securing pots. Loose pots re-bedded so they cannot move in high winds.
- Checks while we are up there. We look over the stack, flashing and nearby tiles and tell you about anything else that needs doing.
Bees and birds in chimneys
Chimneys are a favourite nesting spot for honey bees, jackdaws and pigeons. Most roofing contractors cannot touch a live bee colony, but we can. We remove bees alive and rehome them, clear out nesting material and comb, then repair the chimney and advise on a guard or cowl to stop them coming back.
Safe access
We use our van-mounted access platform or proper roof access for chimney work, depending on the building. We will explain how we plan to reach the chimney when we give you a price.
If birds or bees have been nesting in the chimney, do not light a fire until it has been cleared and checked. Nesting material can block the flue and catch fire.
