Chimney repair & chimney renovation
Chimney repair and renovation are among our specialities. Does your chimney have worn, sanded or saturated joints? We can restore your chimney to excellent condition with a repair or renovation.
Chimney repair and renovation work
Chimney repair and renovation consists of a combination of different activities. A renovation consists of the following steps:
- Chiselling and/or grinding of existing joints
- Replacing the lead slabs
- Rinsing the ground joints
- Restoring the upper plateau
- Impregnating the chimney
After this work, the chimney will be as good as new.
Chimney renovation: our approach
Cutting and milling
We cut or mill out the joints using special machines. Is the chimney in very poor condition? Then we opt for diamond milling. This puts less pressure on the brickwork and ensures that no further damage is caused. Any loose bricks are replaced or re-mortared.
Rolling
The top plateau of the chimney must be smoothly rounded and curved so that no water remains on the top of the chimney. Because this used to be done with cement, there is a good chance that if the joints are worn, the top plateau is also worn. We work with multiple materials, and your specialist will choose a suitable repair mortar for each top plate that is resistant to all weather conditions. This gives you a perfect finish that will last for years to come.
Impregnation
Once your chimney joints have been refilled and the top plateau repaired, the chimney will be impregnated. This ensures that moisture can no longer penetrate the bricks and jointing. As a result, frost damage will be a thing of the past. Please note: this hydrophobic layer should be seen as a new coat that will withstand the first few rain showers, but over the years this layer will wear away first. Repeating and preventively maintaining your brickwork prevents deeper wear and tear on your joints.
You can choose from different types of joints, such as: full brush joint, recessed joint (shadow joint) and a flattened joint.
Successful chimney repair & renovation
Would you like to have your chimney repaired or renovated? Are the joints of your chimney worn or sanded down? Or do you have leaks in your chimney? No problem! In 7 out of 10 cases, your chimney can still be repaired and renovated. Your chimney renovation specialist will visit you without obligation to advise you on your dilapidated or broken chimney. Chimney jointing is often combined with the replacement of the lead flashing, so that your chimney looks like new again. This also allows us to guarantee the watertightness of your entire chimney.
Chimney renovation: prevent leaks
A chimney leak is one of the most common types of roof leaks. Approximately 55% of all roof leaks that our specialists repair are caused by problems with the chimney. This is because the chimney is an opening in your roof. The chimney must be able to withstand strong winds and rain and always has a shaded side. Furthermore, the drainage from your tiled roof runs along the lead connections of your chimney.
Chimney maintenance
A chimney consists of brickwork, lead connections, flues and a top plate or element made of cement or natural stone. Your flue is also sealed by a chimney cap. Because the chimney is free-standing and separate from the roof, maintenance is very important for your chimney. The inside and outside of your chimney are constantly exposed to the elements, as well as pests such as nesting birds and insects.
Pilot’s cap
Bad, cracked, or blown-open lead flashing and lintels are a common problem. Worn and sanded mortar on your chimney easily lets moisture through. Shrinkage cracks or cracked bricks cause a chimney to deteriorate. Often, the first part to come loose is the roll layer of your chimney. This is the top row of bricks that provides extra strength. Cracks in the cemented top plate or other plateau elements can all cause chimney leaks.
We always recommend installing a chimney cap. Rain, dirt and birds can seriously damage chimney flues, resulting in chimney leaks.
Chimney repair or a new chimney?
Is your chimney dilapidated and in very poor condition in several places? Then we may decide to dismantle and demolish it. If a chimney is in very poor condition, chimney renovation will not achieve much. Due to prolonged rainfall, we are no longer able to provide a guarantee on the chimney renovation. You can then choose to have your chimney removed in whole or in part and then have it rebuilt.
Chimney renovation work
- Chopping down chimneys and/or grinding away existing jointing
- Repair or replacement of lead connections in counters and bibs
- Repairing or renovating upper plateaus
- Repairing, replacing or restoring brickwork
- Repairing or replacing jointing in various jointing styles
- Supply/installation of standard chimney caps, but also custom-made caps available
- Impregnating chimneys with hydrophobic liquid
- Cleaning with a pressurised steam cleaner (hot or cold)
- Dismantling, demolition and repair of chimneys 10-year guarantee
- Rebuilding chimneys 10-year guarantee
Lead work chimney repair
Lead is the most commonly used finishing material on roofs. Examples include the leadwork in your chimney, dormer window, parapets and rising brickwork. Lead is a soft, flexible and malleable metal that is suitable for numerous applications. Nowadays, lead-free connections are also made using new materials, such as Alphaflex and other lead imitations. Some lead imitations used are often made of plastic alloys. We use all types of high-quality lead substitutes.
Chimney repair: lead connections
Plumb bob
In the case of roof interruptions (e.g. dormer windows, windows and chimneys), the lead strip at the foot of the dormer window – known as the ‘foot lead’ – is used to seal the roof connection. A strip of sheet lead can also be used at the foot of a sloping roof surface to seal the connection between the two elements. This prevents splash water from being absorbed by the end of the roof boarding.
Pilot’s cap
A ‘lead flashing’ is often used to seal the connections between (flat) roofs or galleries and rising facades or between roofs and chimneys. The lead flashing is inserted into a ribbon joint in the facade masonry, which is where it gets its name ‘joint lead’.
Joint lead
Lead strips in a cavity wall, known as ‘joint lead’, are used to seal the cavity against standing water. Sealing the cavity in façades in this way is also the main purpose of the lead strips used in façade openings (e.g. window and door frames).
Counters
“Loketten” are pieces of sheet lead of limited dimensions that are applied in steps at the connection between vertical masonry and a sloping (roof) surface. They are fixed to the masonry on one side and overlap the lead sealing strip between the sloping surface and the masonry. Loketten are continued into the inner cavity wall.
Chimney renovation: technique, ducts, stoves and fireplaces
Important techniques are required for installing a flue. A properly functioning fireplace or stove must meet many technical requirements. Before use, your stove must be in good condition and have sufficient draught.
Smoke backflow
Is your flue drawing properly, but are you still experiencing smoke backflow? Then check the position of your stove damper. If you see or smell smoke in the attic or on the first floor, you may have a broken or poorly functioning chimney flue. A poorly draining flue is a major and dangerous problem. A closed and blocked flue can cause many problems and even CO2 poisoning. Have your flue inspected in good time for deterioration or neglect. And if you are unsure of the condition of the flue, always have a visual inspection carried out. When purchasing a new home, it is also wise to have your home inspected by means of a structural report of one or more building components. In addition to roof inspections, we also provide chimney flue inspections.
We provide the following services:
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- Supply, installation and finishing of open/closed (atmospheric) fireplaces or stoves
- Supply, installation and finishing of gas fires, wood-burning stoves and pellet stoves.
- Finishing and complete interior finishing taken care of down to the last detail.
- Customised layouts according to your requirements: creation of partition walls/nooks/shafts and conversion of metal studs, gibo adhesive blocks or carpentry.
- Double-walled stainless steel ducts inside and outside.
- Double-walled and single-walled flexible ducts.
- Demolition work such as: concrete drilling, cutting and demolition of ducts and partition walls.
Chimney inspection for chimney repair
A properly functioning flue is important for your entire chimney. Are you going to use your stove again after a long period of time? Always inspect your stove for defects before using it. In most cases, flues are stacked from stone or brickwork. Stainless steel flues are double-walled and there are many asbestos flues. If poorly maintained, flue gases can severely damage the flue, resulting in a chimney fire. Always have your flue checked and swept annually. We inspect in two ways: visually by a roofing specialist and optically using camera inspection.
Installing flexible ducting
A flexible flue is used to renovate old – and often damaged – flues. The flexible flue is pulled through the old flue. A flexible flue can withstand extremely high temperatures and is always 100% gas and watertight.
There are two types of flues: single-wall and double-wall. We install both types of flue systems to ensure proper functioning and draught.
Filling or insulation material is applied between the old flue and the single-wall flexible flue. This is not necessary with a double-wall flexible flue.
With a new flexible flue, you can always be sure that you are heating safely and responsibly without any risks!
Double-walled flue
Don’t have a flue but still want to enjoy a cosy open fire? We can install a double-walled flue in your home. Using a double-walled flue system, we can install your flue inside or outside. If desired, we can include your interior finishing in the installation of your complete flue and connection of your fireplace.
Chimney caps
Chimney caps come in various shapes and sizes. Some chimney caps simply keep rain, dirt and birds out of your flue. Others are specially designed to improve the draught in your chimney.
We are happy to help you make the right choice. Feel free to ask for advice on the right chimney cap that DakspecialistNL can supply and install.
