Expert Chimney Repairs in Launceston, Cornwall

Is your fireplace feeling a bit damp, or have you spotted dark patches on the upstairs ceiling? Most of the time, the culprit is weathered mortar joints. When the pointing fails, water seeps into the stack, leading to what we call 'spalling'—where the faces of the bricks actually start to flake off. It’s not just an eyesore; if left too long, it can make the whole structure unstable. We specialise in traditional repointing, carefully raking out the old, decayed material and replacing it with fresh, durable mortar that’s designed to breathe and move with your home. It’s a straightforward fix that can save you thousands in structural repairs down the line. Whether you're in a Victorian terrace in town or a barn conversion out towards Bodmin Moor, we’ll make sure your masonry is watertight and looking its best.

The junction where your chimney meets your roof tiles is a notorious weak spot. We use lead flashing to create a flexible, waterproof seal here, but even lead doesn't last forever. Years of expansion and contraction in the Cornish sun and frost can cause it to crack or pull away from the brickwork. If you’ve got water ingress during a heavy downpour, the flashing is usually the first place we look. Our team are experts in lead welding and bossing, ensuring that every corner and valley is tucked in tight. We don't believe in quick-fix tapes or sealants that peel off after six months; we do the job properly with high-grade lead that’s built to last for decades.

Have you ever been woken up by the sound of birds nesting in your flue, or perhaps a worrying downdraught blowing soot into your lounge? Installing a proper chimney cowl or bird guard is a simple way to keep your chimney clear and functional. We also keep a close eye on the 'flaunching'—that’s the sloped mortar crown at the very top of your stack that holds the pots in place. In a high-wind area like Launceston, a loose chimney pot is a serious safety hazard. We can reset wobbly pots, replace cracked ones, or even cap off redundant chimneys safely to prevent damp from moving down the flue. It’s all about peace of mind, knowing that nothing is going to come rattling down in the next big storm.

One of the biggest headaches with chimney repairs is simply getting a good look at the damage. Usually, you’d need to pay for expensive scaffolding just to find out what’s wrong. We’ve changed that by using high-resolution drone technology. We can fly a drone right up to your chimney stack and get crystal-clear images of every crack, loose tile, or failing joint. It’s fast, it’s safe, and it means we can show you exactly what we’re seeing on the screen. This allows us to give you a much more accurate quote and a clear plan of action without you having to spend a penny on access equipment first. Why guess what's happening on your roof when you can see it for yourself?