Bryant's Bottom Chimney Survey

Chimney surveys for homes and businesses in Bryant's Bottom

Redundant chimneys are common, especially where fires have been replaced by central heating. A disused stack still needs looking after. If it has been capped without ventilation, damp can build up inside it. We check how redundant stacks have been capped and look for damp in the chimney breasts. The report sets out what we found and what we recommend. We survey chimney pots and cowls, flaunching and brick chimney stacks, and common reasons people get in touch are mortar washing out of the joints and redundant stacks capped without ventilation.

In a small place like Bryant's Bottom, many roofs stand in the open, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A roof report shows what needs attention first. On exposed older roofs, chimneys and lead flashings are frequently the first to give way.

The report is yours to share with whoever needs it: your solicitor, the seller, your insurer, a roofer or the building’s managing agent, whichever applies.

Do you need a chimney survey in Bryant's Bottom?

Flaunching is the mortar bed that holds the pots and throws water off the top. Once it cracks, water gets in and frost makes the cracks bigger. In time, the pots can become loose.

A survey can pick up problems such as:

• Signs that a stack is leaning
• Redundant stacks capped without ventilation
• Gaps in the mortar around the pots
• Pots or cowls that look unsafe

For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Speen CofE VA School, a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time.

Before you book anyone

• Whether the roof space is looked at, where there is one
• What they won’t be able to tell you
• How soon the report will arrive
• Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA

What’s in a roof survey

What we do, step by step

The visit has one job: to look at the chimney stack as closely as is safe and record what we find. Notes and photographs go into the written report. The visit usually takes about one to two hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. Somewhere as small as Bryant's Bottom, access is often the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.

1. We start with the details: how many stacks, whether any are shared and any signs of damp.
2. The stacks are looked at from the ground, from windows and from other safe vantage points.
3. The pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing, brickwork and flashings are checked and photographed.
4. Inside, we look for damp on chimney breasts and in the loft where there is safe access.
5. The findings are written up with photos and recommendations and emailed to you.

Getting ready for the survey

• Move anything stored under the loft hatch
• Let us know where we can park nearby
• If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming

Booking a survey

Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To arrange a day that suits you, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.

Book your survey

Related advice

• Lead Flashing Problems on Older Roofs
• Chimney Stack Defects: Flaunching, Pots, Leans

Tips from our surveys

These tips come from what we see on roofs every week:

• Check fixings on the stack are secure
• Look at the chimneys with binoculars after a storm
• Book a sweep for flues that are in use
• Ask for ventilated caps on redundant stacks

With a shared stack, the report can help when talking to next door. The photos show the problem and which side it’s on, as far as we could see.

Unused stacks should be capped in a way that still lets air through. That helps stop damp building up inside.

Prices for chimney surveys in Bryant's Bottom

Prices always include VAT. What changes the price is:

• Basic, Standard or Premium
• Roof area
• How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
• Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed

Simple, low roofs take less time to survey than tall or complicated ones, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.

Helping us price your survey

A few details help us point you to the right survey and price. When you contact us, tell us:

• What’s prompted the survey
• The address and postcode of the property
• The type of building and roof, like pitched or flat
• Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them

Getting a price is simple: just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email, let us know about the property and we will recommend the right survey. The price is agreed up front.