Complete guide to chimney repointing in Swindon.
Chimney repointing is one of the most common roofing jobs across Swindon — and one of the most frequently done incorrectly. Using the wrong mortar type causes more damage than it fixes. Here's what you need to know.
When mortar joints are recessed more than 5mm from the brick face. When you can see gaps between bricks from ground level. When mortar crumbles to the touch. When you find mortar debris in the gutters. When damp patches appear on internal chimney breast walls. Any of these indicates the pointing has failed and water is entering the chimney.
This is the critical decision. Pre-1920 chimneys in Swindon — the Railway Village, Old Town, period properties in Highworth, Cricklade and the surrounding villages — were built with soft lime mortar. The mortar is deliberately softer than the brick, so thermal movement is absorbed by the mortar joints rather than the bricks. Repointing these chimneys with hard cement does the opposite — it forces the movement into the bricks, causing spalling, cracking and long-term structural damage. Always use NHL 3.5 hydraulic lime on pre-1920 masonry.
Post-war chimneys with engineering bricks and cement mortar can be repointed in cement — it matches the original specification and is more durable in exposed conditions. Using lime on a cement-mortared chimney is unnecessary and won't last as well.
We scaffold to the chimney stack (included in our quotes). We rake out the old mortar to a depth of 15–20mm using hand tools — never angle grinders, which damage the brick edges. We brush out the dust, dampen the joints, and apply the new mortar in thin layers, pressing it firmly into the joint. The mortar is tooled to a profile that matches the original — usually a flush or slightly recessed joint. We work from the top down, covering completed work to protect it while curing.
Chimney repointing on a single stack: £300–£700 including scaffold. Lime mortar adds £50–£100 to the cost vs cement. Larger stacks with four or more flues: £500–£900. If the stack also needs lead flashing work, combining both jobs saves a scaffold visit — a combined chimney repoint and flashing replacement typically costs £600–£1,200.
In Swindon's exposed conditions: cement mortar on post-war chimneys lasts 20–30 years. Lime mortar on period chimneys can last 30–50 years when properly applied — paradoxically longer than cement because it flexes with the masonry rather than cracking. Chimneys on exposed west-facing or hilltop positions (Old Town, Highworth) may need attention sooner than sheltered stacks.
Using an angle grinder to rake out joints — damages the bricks permanently. Using cement mortar on pre-1920 masonry — causes spalling and structural damage. Only repointing the visible faces — the unexposed joints fail too and should be done at the same time. Pointing over old mortar without raking out — the new layer won't bond and will fall out within a year.
Call 0179 329 7084 for a free chimney inspection. We check every face, identify the correct mortar specification, and quote for the full repoint. No obligation, no call-out fee.
Call 0179 329 7084 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
0179 329 7084"Called with a question about our roof. They explained everything clearly, did not try to sell us work we did not need, and gave genuinely useful advice. Refreshingly honest."
"Free survey was thorough and informative. Photographs of everything, clear explanation of what needed doing. No pressure. Professional throughout."
"From the first phone call to the finished job, professional, punctual, clean and fairly priced. Highly recommend."
Mortar joints recessed 5mm+, visible gaps, crumbling mortar, damp on chimney breast. Historic England recommends NHL 3.5 hydraulic lime mortar for all pre-1920 masonry. Cement mortar on period chimneys in Old Town and Railway Village causes accelerated deterioration.
Lime mortar (NHL 3.5 hydraulic lime) for all pre-1920 masonry — chimneys, ridges, verges and pointing on period properties. Cement mortar for post-war construction with harder engineering bricks. Using cement on soft historic brickwork traps moisture and causes frost spalling, accelerating deterioration. Historic England's Practical Building Conservation guidance is explicit on this. See our repointing service.
Prices depend on scope and access. We provide free written itemised quotes with no obligation and no call-out fee. Every quote breaks down materials, labour, scaffold and waste disposal separately so you can see exactly what you are paying for.
Natural slate: 100–150+ years. Clay tiles: 60–100 years. Concrete interlocking: 40–60 years. GRP flat roofing: 25–30 years. EPDM rubber: 20–25 years. All lifespans assume correct installation with corrosion-resistant fixings and adequate ventilation. Source: NFRC Roofing Materials Guide. See our lifespan guide.
We strongly advise against DIY roof work. Falls from ladders are the leading cause of serious home maintenance injury — over 2,000 UK hospitalisations per year. A professional repair with guarantee costs less than an A&E visit and ensures the work is done safely and correctly.
Door-to-door cold callers, demands for cash upfront, verbal-only quotes, no written guarantee, no insurance certificate, and pressure to decide immediately. Legitimate roofers provide written quotes, don't cold-call, and never demand deposits. Check NFRC membership at nfrc.co.uk. See our choosing a roofer guide.
Standard quotes and surveys are always free. Formal written condition reports with photographs cost £120–£250 but the fee is credited in full against any repair work you proceed with — effectively making the inspection free. See our inspection service.
Swindon's exposed plateau position at 120m creates roofing conditions distinct from sheltered valley towns. Wind loading is higher, temperature swings are wider, and freeze-thaw cycling is more frequent. This means roofs here work harder and fail sooner than in more protected locations. Understanding your specific situation — the age of your roof, the materials used, and the exposure conditions of your property — is essential for making the right maintenance and investment decisions.
We offer free roof surveys and consultations across Swindon and a 15-mile radius. We inspect from the roof, photograph everything, and explain what we find without pressure or obligation. Whether you need immediate work or are planning ahead, an honest professional assessment helps you make informed decisions. Call 0179 329 7084 to book your free inspection.
We are NFRC registered, carry £5m public liability insurance, and have been serving Swindon and surrounding Wiltshire since 2003. Every job carries our written 10-year workmanship guarantee. We do not subcontract and we do not use commission-based salespeople. When you call 0179 329 7084, you speak to the people who will do the work.
Swindon sits on an exposed chalk and clay plateau at approximately 120 metres above sea level. This is significantly higher than the sheltered valley towns surrounding it — Chippenham, Calne, Devizes and Marlborough all sit lower with more protection from terrain. The exposed position creates three specific challenges for roofs: higher wind loading that displaces ridge tiles and stresses fixings, wider daily temperature swings that fatigue lead flashings and crack flat roof membranes through thermal cycling, and more frequent freeze-thaw cycles in winter that degrade mortar pointing and accelerate nail corrosion. Understanding these local conditions is essential for making the right decisions about your roof — whether that is choosing materials, timing maintenance, or deciding between repair and replacement.
If you have questions about any topic covered in this guide, call 0179 329 7084 for a free consultation. We can discuss your specific situation, inspect your roof at no charge, and give you honest advice tailored to your property, your roof type and your budget. We do not employ salespeople and we do not pressure anyone into work they do not need. Our business is built on honest advice and quality workmanship — the kind of service that generates referrals and repeat customers, not complaints. Twenty years of serving Swindon homeowners has taught us that the best customer is an informed customer.
Whether you are researching a future project or dealing with an immediate problem, the best next step is a conversation with someone who knows Swindon roofs. Call 0179 329 7084 for a free, no-obligation discussion about your specific situation. We can answer your questions, arrange a free roof survey if needed, and give you honest advice based on 20 years of local experience. There is no call-out fee, no pressure and no salesperson. Just straightforward help from the people who will actually do the work if you decide to go ahead. We look forward to hearing from you.
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 you need this service — and when you might not.
When it is not the answer: If the problem is minor and localised, a targeted repair may be more cost-effective. We assess honestly during the free survey.
We inspect the relevant roof area, photograph everything, and explain what needs doing.
Itemised specification with materials, labour and access costs clearly separated.
Our own team carries out the work to specification. Daily cleanup, weathertight each night.
Walk-through, 10-year guarantee issued, site cleared.
| Job | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Minor work | Half day - 1 day |
| Standard job | 1-3 days |
| Complex / large scope | 3-5 days |
Weather dependent — we never compromise quality for speed.
Access method depends on the specific job — ladder, tower scaffold or full scaffold. Always itemised in your quote. Scaffold is specified for: work above single-storey height, multi-day jobs, chimney and ridge access — always itemised in your written quote, never a hidden extra.
Pavement scaffold and skip permits go through Swindon Borough Council. On restricted streets in Old Town, the Railway Village and parts of Rodbourne, we coordinate access to minimise disruption. Allow a few working days for permit processing.
All work carries our written 10-year workmanship guarantee. Materials carry separate manufacturer warranties on top.
If a fault appears in covered work, we come back and put it right. No quibbling, no re-charge.
External work during standard hours. We sheet below and clean up each day. You do not need to be home. You do not need to stay home for external work — we just need access agreed in advance.
Work runs year-round where conditions allow. We build weather margin into every schedule and never leave a roof exposed. Swindon's exposed plateau at 120m produces more frost days and stronger gusts than sheltered valley towns — we factor this into every schedule.
No call-out fees. No obligation. Local Swindon roofers you can trust.
0179 329 7084