Chimneys and the leadwork surrounding them are consistently among the most common sources of storm-related roof leaks, and Old Market's older buildings, many with original brick stacks still in place, are no exception. The flashing sealing the junction between chimney and roof covering is designed to flex slightly with the building, but strong wind can be enough to crack, lift, or completely dislodge flashing that has already been weakening quietly for years without anyone noticing.
Because many properties in Old Market are three or four storeys, chimney stacks here sit at a genuine height, taking the full force of wind in a way that a lower, more sheltered part of the roof rarely experiences. This can lead to loosened chimney pots, cracked or displaced pointing between bricks, and flashing damage all occurring together after a single significant storm, even where the stack itself remains structurally sound overall and shows no obvious lean or movement.
A leak connected to chimney or leadwork failure does not always show up where you would expect. Water entering at flashing level can track down inside the chimney breast or along a rafter before appearing as a stain on a ceiling or wall some distance away, which is part of why a proper close inspection at roof level matters more than trying to diagnose the problem purely from inside the property based on where the stain first appears.
On taller Old Market properties, safe access to inspect a chimney stack up close usually means arranging scaffolding or a tower rather than working from a ladder, and this is factored into how we plan an emergency visit. Taking the time to get access right, rather than attempting a quick look from an awkward position, means the inspection actually covers everything it needs to, including the less visible sides of the stack that are easy to miss from the street. It also means any repair identified during that same visit can often be carried out using the same access equipment, rather than needing a second, separate visit purely to get set up again.
Our approach to chimney and leadwork repairs in Old Market starts with assessing the whole junction together: pots, pointing, capping, and flashing, rather than fixing one obvious fault in isolation while a related issue goes unnoticed. Where existing lead has simply lifted, refitting and resealing it correctly can resolve things; where it has degraded more significantly, replacement with new leadwork gives a more lasting result.
If a storm has caused damage around a chimney on your Old Market property, whether that is a visible pot out of position or a new leak that has appeared since, it is worth having it assessed promptly. We offer free inspections and our completed leadwork and chimney repairs are covered by a 15-year guarantee, giving you real confidence in a repair carried out at height.
Need Emergency Roof Repairs in Old Market?
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