Chimney Repair

Belfast Building & Roofing

Chimneys are generally ‘out of sight, out of mind’ but remain a fundamental part of any home. Your Chimneys condition has various implications to your home from Damp and Condensation to serious Structural and Health & Safety issues.

Neglected chimneys are a potential accident.

Brickwork can become a deadly weapon in extreme weather conditions. We therefore  promote pro active maintenance above reactive maintenance.

The most common Chimney repair is cracked, fractured & eroded caps.

If neglected open cracks will hasten the onset of more serious problems such as instability, water penetration and even disintegration. If caught in time, all that may be required to fix this and prevent further deterioration is a spot of localised primer and slurry coating.

Your Chimney is Punished by Icy Gales and the Baking Sun

Because of this its Cap or Crown is Exposed to the full range of Extreme Weathers above the ridge-line. You generally cannot see your Chimney Crown, but it is the most important part of your chimney designed for the protection of your chimney shell from water ingress. It is also the most exposed area of your home, it has to take the full force and fury of the constant exposure to the elements, the chimney crown often cracks shortly after construction usually within the first year of service.

Improper maintenance of the chimney crown causes serious damage to chimneys every year. Remember just because your chimney crown is hard to see or hard to get to, doesn’t mean you should neglect its’ maintenance, which can ultimately cost you thousands in unnecessary repair bills if you ignore it.

What problems can they cause?

A cracked chimney crown let’s water into the chimney body. Over time the crack widens letting more and more water enter the chimney. Eventually the retained water becomes more than what is evaporated and degradation begins. First with discolouration of the top brick courses with spalling, chipping and flaking of the bricks. With stone chimney’s moss and dark mold appears on the top of the chimney too. 

If the damage isn’t severe, a repair to the top of the chimney can be made by general brickwork repairs and the application of a Cement based Crown Slurry Sealer  to the crown. This protects the chimney and acts like a umbrella by shedding rain water from the top of the chimney stopping water penetration through the chimney crown. Secondary water entry, through the facing brick of the chimney, can be stopped with an acrylic-based clear masonry sealer to the chimney’s facing brick.

Materials, Mortars, Slurry Coatings and Chemical Solutions

We can Restore and Protect your Chimney Stack from whatever is thrown at it while maintaining its appearance and style. 

If you have any concerns about your chimney please contact us for a free no obligation quote.  

Chimney Repair solutions include. 

Damp chimney breasts may signify ventilation problems.

If you identify a problem get it checked sooner rather than later by ringing

me on 07401088868 – You can also email photos etc to info@jgm-ni.com

Chimney repairs & Removal… Well actually this isn’t.. sorry wasn’t a Chimney. It was originally a lantern roof on a Methodist Church which later became Brethern and was(after being destroyed by the ravages of time) no longer required.
This one is situated on the corner of Killaire Park Bangor and the Crawfordsburn Road.

The cap and flaunching take most abuse  on any Chimney so its important to keep them in good condition.	Moss Covered Flaunching around Chimney
This flaunching used rather weak mortar which has accelerated errosion.	Chmney errosion
Lack of cement in the flaunching mortar exaggerates exposure to hail, freezing driving wind, rain and also the baking sun. This chimney beside Ulster Rugbys Ground at Ravenhill Park Gardens is surrounded by trees which given the “open” condition of the mortar lets nature do the rest.	Ulster Rugby Ground Ravenhill
On this particular repair the whole chimney was cleaned of moss mechanically, burnt by blow lamp and soaked in nitric acid. All structural problems were then primed and repaired before a new stronger coat of flaunching applied and then sealed.	Chimney repair Ravenhill Park Gardens
Why do people still insist on putting flues through roofs when they can put them through the wall. Is it because they “Want trouble”?
3 Primacy Road, Bangor BT19 7PQ “Just a nice little cottage style Chimney Repair at the old school house primacy road Bangor.”
Its now a day Nursery.
Shane’s Castle Chimney
Chimney Repairs often require a visit to…. Davey Hunters Salvage yard.    3-5 Dalton Street, Belfast, BT5 4BA
Removing chimneys Can lead to damp roblems. This Chimney was reflaunched, pointed, its cap sealed and most of its vent holes closed to alleviate the problems below.