Chimney Inspection Hampshire

Brown tide marks on internal chimney walls are a clear indicator of prolonged moisture ingress. These stains often appear as horizontal lines or discoloured patches, caused by water carrying salts and minerals through the brickwork and plaster.

As moisture evaporates it leaves behind these deposits, signalling that water is repeatedly entering the chimney structure. This is rarely an isolated occurrence and typically points to defects higher up the stack, such as failed flashing, cracked mortar joints or damaged flaunching.

Damp patches on ceilings close to the chimney stack usually indicate that water is penetrating at roof level and tracking down into the property. These patches may enlarge after heavy rain and can feel cold or slightly soft to the touch.

This type of moisture ingress can damage plasterboard, insulation and decorative finishes. In many cases the source is a failure in the flashing or surrounding materials, allowing water to bypass the roof covering and enter the structure around the chimney.

Sandy or gritty material building up in the gutters near the chimney is often a sign that the mortar joints are deteriorating. As mortar breaks down it turns into a loose, sand-like substance that washes down the roof during rainfall.

This loss of mortar weakens the chimney structure over time, leaving gaps between bricks that allow water to enter. It is a common issue on older properties or chimneys exposed to harsh weather, particularly in coastal areas where salt accelerates decay.

Spalling occurs when the face of a brick begins to flake, crack or break away due to moisture and freeze-thaw cycles. The pink-orange dust or fragments found below the stack are the remains of the brick surface deteriorating.

Once the protective outer layer of the brick is lost, the inner material is exposed and more vulnerable to further damage. This can lead to rapid structural decline if not addressed, especially during colder months when trapped moisture expands and worsens the breakdown.

Lifted flashing or cracked mortar fillets are direct entry points for water at the junction between the chimney and the roof. When flashing lifts, even slightly, wind-driven rain can be forced underneath and into the roof structure.

Cracked fillets, often used in place of proper lead work, are particularly prone to failure as they cannot accommodate movement. Both issues compromise the weatherproof seal around the chimney and are among the most common causes of leaks and internal damp.

We begin with a full visual survey from ground level, capturing clear photographs of each side of the chimney stack. This allows us to identify obvious defects such as leaning brickwork, missing mortar, cracked pots or displaced flashing before accessing the roof.

Photographing all elevations provides a baseline record of the chimney’s condition and helps highlight areas requiring closer inspection. It also ensures nothing is overlooked, particularly on stacks that are not fully visible from a single vantage point.

We then access the roof using appropriate safety equipment to carry out a hands-on inspection of the chimney stack. Each mortar joint is checked for signs of deterioration, including cracking, crumbling or gaps between bricks.

We also assess the overall stability of the stack, looking for movement, leaning or signs of structural stress. Physical inspection allows us to detect issues that are not visible from the ground, such as loose masonry or early-stage joint failure.

The lead flashing around the base of the chimney is carefully lifted and checked to ensure it is still securely bonded and correctly seated. We inspect aprons, step flashings and back gutters for movement, splits or gaps.

This step is critical, as flashing is one of the most common points of water ingress. By testing how well the lead is fixed and sealed, we can identify weaknesses that may allow rainwater to penetrate the roof structure.

Inside the loft, we inspect the area around the chimney breast for signs of moisture or internal damage. This includes checking for damp insulation, water staining on rafters and any signs of timber decay.

We also look for soot streaks or residue, which can indicate issues with the flue or internal leakage paths. The loft inspection helps confirm whether external defects are already affecting the interior of the property.

After completing the inspection, we compile a detailed written report supported by date-stamped photographs. Each issue is clearly documented and categorised by severity, from minor maintenance to urgent repair.

The report includes a structured repair plan, allowing you to understand what requires immediate attention and what can be monitored over time. This document is also useful for insurance purposes, property sales or general maintenance planning.

No, we do not sweep chimneys. Chimney sweeping is the responsibility of a chimney sweep, who cleans the flue and provides a sweep certificate upon completion.

Our inspection focuses on the chimney structure above the roof and the surrounding flashings. We assess brickwork, mortar joints, pots, flaunching and signs of dampness in the loft.

A well-maintained chimney often requires both trades to work in the same year. Your sweep manages the flue, while we handle the masonry and lead, ensuring a complete assessment without overlap.

A comprehensive chimney inspection assesses brickwork, mortar joints, pots, flaunching and flashings. Each component is graded as sound, requiring monitoring, or in need of repair.

Brickwork checks involve examining for spalling, leaning and frost damage. We tap each surface to detect hollow sounds and measure any lean using a plumb line from above the stack.

Mortar joints are probed with a screwdriver tip. Sound mortar resists the pressure, while failed mortar crumbles into sandy powder, indicating that repointing is required.

We then evaluate pots and flaunching. Cracked pots allow water entry, and damaged flaunching lets rainwater into the flue void. Each defect is documented with date-stamped photographs.

We do not sweep chimneys or test flue gases; those tasks are handled by a chimney sweep or Gas Safe engineer. Our focus is on the masonry, flashings and visible damp signs in the loft.

No, we provide one-off chimney inspections rather than ongoing contracts. Each inspection is booked separately and includes its own scaffold quote and written report.

A one-time inspection is appropriate in four situations: listing the property, anticipating heavy winter fire use, after a storm, or purchasing a home with an older stack. We are available when needed, without any ongoing commitment.

Pre-sale surveys and post-storm assessments are common reasons for contacting us. Both can be addressed in a single visit.

A chimney inspection supports an insurance claim by demonstrating that the stack was sound before any loss event. Insurers distinguish between sudden damage and gradual wear, and recent inspection photographs clearly delineate the two.

In the event of storm damage — such as torn flashing or a cracked pot — the claim depends on proving that the defect is new. A dated inspection report from us confirms the stack’s condition prior to the incident, which is accepted by loss adjusters as evidence.

Without documentation, insurers often attribute damage to wear and tear, particularly on stacks over 80 years old. A straightforward inspection report closes this gap before claims arise.

A full chimney inspection requires roof access. Our initial survey can be conducted from the ground using binoculars, identifying obvious defects such as spalled bricks, leaning courses, missing flashing and cracked pots.

A detailed inspection requires closer examination. We probe the mortar, lift the lead and check the flaunching at close range, which necessitates a tower scaffold, roof ladder or cherry picker.

Access methods are itemised separately in every quote, providing clarity on the inspection scope and access requirements before work commences.