We provide specialist chimney repairs across Cricklade — from the listed High Street to the modern estates at Stones Lane and Chelworth. Cricklade is 8 miles from our Swindon base, giving fast response times with the right expertise for local conditions.
We provide specialist chimney repairs across Cricklade — from the listed High Street to the modern estates at Stones Lane and Chelworth. Cricklade is 8 miles from our Swindon base, giving fast response times with the right expertise for local conditions.
Thames floodplain humidity means chimney pointing degrades faster here than in sheltered locations. Wind-driven rain washes out mortar, freeze-thaw cycling widens cracks, and thermal cycling fatigues lead flashings. We repoint using the correct mortar specification — lime for period chimneys, cement for post-war stacks.
Lead step flashings and apron flashings around Cricklade's chimney stacks are subject to the same local conditions. We replace failed flashings with code 4 milled lead, properly dressed into the masonry with a flexible sealant rather than hard mortar. This lasts 30+ years even in Cricklade's exposed conditions.
Unused chimneys benefit from ventilated caps that keep rain out while maintaining airflow. For working chimneys, anti-downdraught cowls prevent the smoking problems that Thames floodplain humidity can cause. We supply and fit both types across Cricklade.
Chimneys in Cricklade are affected by Thames floodplain humidity — pointing degrades faster and flashings fail sooner than in sheltered locations. The listed High Street need lime mortar and period-appropriate techniques. Post-war estate chimneys across Stones Lane and Chelworth have simpler stacks with cement pointing that cracks from exposure.
No call-out fees. Free quotes. 10-year guarantee. Call 0179 329 7084.
0179 329 7084"Chimney pointing washed out on two faces. They repointed with the right mortar for our property type and re-sealed the flashing. Dry ever since. Knew exactly what they were doing."
"Lead flashing had cracked — damp on the bedroom wall. They dressed new lead and it's been perfect since. Quick, clean, professional job."
"Unused chimney was letting rain down the flue. They fitted a ventilated cap — no more damp on the chimney breast. Simple fix, should have done it years ago. Very pleased."
Single stack repointing: £300–£700 including scaffold. Lime mortar for period properties adds £50–£100. We include scaffold in all chimney quotes. We specify mortar correctly for the era of the chimney — lime for period stacks, cement for post-war. Flaunching, cowls and capping all available. See our repointing guide.
Lime (NHL 3.5) for pre-1920 properties — listed High Street. Cement for post-war engineering brick stacks. Using the wrong mortar causes more damage than it fixes. We always advise correctly. Historic England recommends NHL 3.5 hydraulic lime mortar for all pre-1920 masonry. Cement mortar traps moisture and causes accelerated deterioration. See our chimney repointing service.
Visible gaps between bricks, crumbling mortar when touched, damp patches on internal chimney breast walls, mortar debris in gutters. Any of these means it's time to call. We specify mortar correctly for the era of the chimney — lime for period stacks, cement for post-war. Flaunching, cowls and capping all available. See our repointing guide.
Yes — ventilated caps keep rain out while maintaining airflow. Prevents the damp problems caused by rain entering open flues. Costs £100–£250. We specify mortar correctly for the era of the chimney — lime for period stacks, cement for post-war. Flaunching, cowls and capping all available. See our repointing guide.
Usually yes — we can't safely work on chimney stacks from ladders. Scaffold is included in our quotes. We specify mortar correctly for the era of the chimney — lime for period stacks, cement for post-war. Flaunching, cowls and capping all available. See our repointing guide.
Thames floodplain humidity means pointing degrades and flashings fatigue sooner here than in sheltered locations. Regular inspection catches problems before they cause internal damage. We specify mortar correctly for the era of the chimney — lime for period stacks, cement for post-war. Flaunching, cowls and capping all available. See our repointing guide.
Yes — 10-year workmanship guarantee on all chimney repairs. Lead flashings carry their own 30+ year expected lifespan. We specify mortar correctly for the era of the chimney — lime for period stacks, cement for post-war. Flaunching, cowls and capping all available. See our repointing guide.
Cricklade sits at just 75m in the Thames floodplain, the lowest and dampest location we cover. Persistent humidity from the river and water meadows keeps roof surfaces wet for longer, accelerating moss growth and mortar degradation. North-facing slopes stay damp well into the afternoon even in summer. Lime mortar chimney pointing degrades faster here than on any other town in the cluster.
We inspect from scaffold or cherry picker, checking every joint of pointing, every flashing edge, render condition, mortar bed under the cap, and pot stability. We photograph everything and show you exactly what needs doing. For period properties, we use NHL 3.5 hydraulic lime exclusively. For post-war stacks, cement mortar is correct. We never use the wrong specification.
We are NFRC registered, carry £5m public liability insurance, and provide a written 10-year workmanship guarantee on every job. We know Cricklade's housing stock, its specific climate challenges, and the materials that work best in local conditions. We do not subcontract — our own team handles every job from survey to completion. Call 0179 329 7084 for a free quote.
A chimney stack is the most exposed structure on any building. It projects above the roofline into unbroken wind, driving rain and frost. Every component takes punishment: the pointing joints absorb water that freezes and expands, the bricks themselves are subject to frost spalling if the mortar is too hard, the lead flashings expand and contract with every temperature cycle, and the pot sits at the very top collecting rain if uncapped. Understanding how these components interact is essential for effective repair. A chimney is a system, not a collection of separate parts.
The earliest sign is usually mortar debris in the gutters — small fragments washed down by rain from deteriorating pointing joints. Damp patches on the chimney breast inside confirm water is entering through the stack. At this stage, repointing is usually sufficient and the cost is moderate. Left untreated, water penetrates deeper, bricks start to spall, lead flashings corrode from trapped moisture, and the stack can become structurally unstable. At that point, a partial or full rebuild is needed at significantly higher cost. Early intervention saves money.
We scaffold to the chimney stack — included in all quotes. We inspect every mortar joint on all four faces, not just the visible weather-facing sides. We photograph everything and show you the images before quoting. For repointing, we rake out old mortar to a minimum depth of 15-20mm using hand tools — never angle grinders, which damage brick edges and create weak feathered joints. We dampen the joints, apply new mortar in thin layers, and tool to the correct profile. For lead flashings, we remove the old lead, clean the chase cut, dress new code 4 milled lead with a minimum 25mm turn-in, and point with flexible Geocel sealant.
10-year workmanship guarantee on all chimney repairs. Lime mortar repointing on period chimneys has an expected lifespan of 30-50 years. Cement repointing on post-war stacks lasts 20-30 years. Code 4 lead flashings have a 30-40 year expected lifespan. Chimney caps and cowls carry their own manufacturer warranties.
After repointing, your chimney should not need attention for 20-30 years on cement-mortared stacks or 30-50 years on lime-mortared period chimneys. However, lead flashings have a separate lifespan of 30-40 years and may need replacement before the next repoint is due. We recommend a visual inspection from the ground every spring — look for mortar debris in the gutters, any visible gaps opening in the pointing, damp patches reappearing on the chimney breast inside, or pots that have shifted position. If you see any of these, call us for a professional inspection before the damage spreads. Early intervention on a chimney is always cheaper than emergency work once water has been entering the stack for months.
Every specification for Cricklade accounts for the persistent Thames floodplain humidity. We prioritise ventilation in all roof void work, specify biocide-treated timber for battens, and recommend proactive moss treatment on north-facing slopes that would otherwise require intervention every two to three years.
From £150, no call-out fee.
More →Full re-roofs, 10yr guarantee.
More →GRP/EPDM, 25yr guarantees.
More →Same-day 24/7 response.
Call Now →Cleaning, repairs, replacement.
More →Repointing, flashings, stacks.
More →Biocide, 3-5yr protection.
More →uPVC roofline, ventilation.
More →Fitted to your roof.
More →Code 4 flashings, valleys.
More →Repair, matching, re-roofing.
More →Surveys from £120, fee credited.
More →Here is how to tell if this is the right service for your property.
When it is not the answer: If damp is on a sealed unused chimney breast with no external damage, the cause may be flue condensation, not rain. We diagnose first.
From scaffold: all four faces, flashing, flaunching, pots.
Correct mortar for era — lime for pre-1920, cement for post-war.
Hand rake, dampen, apply in layers, tool to profile.
Photos, guarantee, cleanup.
| Job | Duration |
|---|---|
| Flaunching | Half day |
| One-face repoint | Half day |
| Full repoint | 1-2 days |
| Lead flashing | Half-1 day |
Weather dependent.
Scaffold to chimney height on every job. Included in quotes.
Thames floodplain at 75m — humidity higher than the Swindon plateau. Period market town centre. Pavement scaffold and skip permits go through Swindon Borough Council; allow a few working days on streets like High Street, Calcutt Street, Bath Road.
Repointing 10 years. Lime mortar: 30-50 year expected life. Lead flashing: 30-50 years.
Scaffold 1-3 days. Some mortar dust — we sheet and clean.
Lime mortar needs 5°C+ for 48hrs. Limits lime work to March-November in Swindon. Thames valley humidity accelerates moss growth and slows drying times.
Last updated: August 2026
No call-out fees. No obligation. Local Cricklade roofers you can trust.
0179 329 7084