Chimney & lead
work.
Chimney repointing, lead flashings, valleys and abutments — done properly, not just mastic'd over. The most common cause of roof leaks, fixed right.
How we repair
chimneys and lead.
Chimneys and lead flashings are responsible for the majority of roof leaks — more than slipped tiles, more than failed underlay. They're exposed to more thermal movement than anywhere else on the roof, and they're usually the last thing to get attention. A chimney that looks fine from the street can have failed pointing, a cracked stack or loose flashings that will let water in every time it rains. The only way to know is to get up close and look.
Close inspection from scaffold
We get up on the scaffold and look at every face of the chimney — pointing, copings, flashings and lead trays. Problems seen from a ladder or the ground are just the obvious ones.
Rake out failed mortar
Existing pointing raked out to at least 20mm depth. Patching over old, crumbling mortar is a temporary fix — we always start with a clean joint.
Repoint with correct mix
New pointing in a mix appropriate to the age of the stack — softer lime mortar for older brick, standard cement/lime mix for modern brickwork. Using too-hard a mix on old soft brick causes the brick face to spall.
Lead flashings
Failed soakers, step flashings and aprons stripped and replaced. Lead properly coded for the application, correctly formed and tucked into the raggle — not just dressed over and sealed with silicone.
Chimney pot & coping
Pots reset or replaced where they've worked loose. Coping stones re-bedded and haunched correctly to shed water away from the stack.
Valley and abutment lead
Where gutters, valleys or wall abutments have failed lead, the same standard applies: strip, form correctly, wedge into the joint. No shortcuts.
Why choose A.P Roofing
for chimney & lead?
Lead dressed in-house
We don't sub out lead work. Adam's team dresses lead correctly — properly coded, correctly formed, tucked into the joint. Not sealed over with mastic.
26 years on chimneys
Adam has been repointing chimneys and dressing lead since he was 16. He knows the difference between a chimney that needs a tuck-point and one that needs rebuilding.
Conservation area work
We've repointed and re-flashed listed building chimneys across Leicestershire. We know what pointing mix is right for what age of brickwork.
No deposit, pay on completion
We don't ask for money upfront. You pay when the job's done and you're satisfied.
Photos before and after
You'll see the failed pointing, the open joints and the failed lead — and you'll see the repair. No guessing what was done.
Honest about what it needs
If a chimney needs rebuilding rather than repointing, we'll tell you. If mastic is holding it together, we'll tell you. You'll get an honest assessment, not just the repair that's easiest to sell.
Reviews.
Replacement of conservation area roof
"Really happy with the work Adam and his team did on our roof. They worked quickly, stuck to the agreed budget, and kept everything straightforward. Would 100% recommend."
Great attention to detail
"A.P Roofing recently completed a large re-roof for me. The attention to detail was incredible and the lads are very polite. I can't recommend Adam and his team enough. My new go-to roofers."
Best in the business
"Had a few quotes and A.P Roofing was the best one. Adam and his team are without a doubt the best in the business — punctual, polite, friendly and hard working. Would only ever use A.P Roofing in future."
17 verified reviews · 12 months on Checkatrade
Questions about
chimney & lead work.
How do I know if my chimney needs repointing?
From the ground, look for missing or crumbling mortar between the bricks, cracks in the stack, or lead flashings that are lifting away from the brickwork. Inside, look for water stains on the chimney breast wall or around the fireplace. If in doubt, we'll come and look — it's a five-minute job to check from scaffold.
What causes lead flashings to fail?
The main causes are: age (lead does eventually oxidise and thin), thermal movement (lead expands and contracts with temperature, which works it loose over time), and poor original installation — flashings that were never properly tucked into the raggle, or siliconed rather than properly fixed. We see a lot of the last one.
Can you use mastic or silicone instead of re-doing the lead?
Temporarily — yes. As a repair that will last — no. Silicone degrades in UV light and loses adhesion within a few years, particularly where there's thermal movement. We'll use it to make a roof watertight in an emergency, but we'll always tell you it's a temporary measure.
Do I need planning permission to repoint my chimney?
Generally no — maintenance and repair doesn't require planning permission. In a listed building or conservation area, changes to the character of the chimney (e.g. replacing or removing pots) may need consent. We'll advise on your specific situation.
How much does chimney repointing cost?
A standard chimney repoint typically starts from around £350–£600 depending on the size of the stack, the number of faces and the access required. Lead flashing replacement adds to this depending on the extent. Adam will give you an exact price when he sees the job.
My chimney isn't used — do I still need to maintain it?
Yes — an unused chimney still collects water, and a failed chimney still lets water into the building. If it's permanently decommissioned, it's worth capping it properly (with a ventilated cap to prevent damp) and ensuring the lead and pointing are sound.
Do you do chimney work across Leicestershire?
Yes — we cover Leicester city and the whole county. Glenfield, Oadby, Hinckley, Loughborough, Coalville, Blaby, Syston and surrounding villages. Give Adam a call.
Tell us about your roof.
Fill in a quick brief or call Adam direct. Quotes back within one working day — usually within a few hours.