Crumbling or missing pointing
Mortar joints that are visibly crumbling, or missing entirely in places, let water into the brickwork and are usually the first sign of a chimney needing attention.
A leaning or visibly out-of-true stack
Any visible lean in a chimney stack is a structural concern that needs prompt professional assessment, not just a cosmetic issue.
Debris in the fireplace or flue
Small pieces of brick or mortar falling into the fireplace or flue indicate the stack is actively deteriorating internally.
Damp patches on the chimney breast inside
Damp appearing on an internal chimney breast, particularly after rain, usually points to a problem with the flashing or brickwork outside.
If any of these sound familiar, our chimney team can carry out a proper assessment.