Chimneys and vents break the surface of your roof, so they're always potential trouble spots. Make regular inspections of your roof surface, chimney stacks and vents so that any faults can be fixed before any significant damage occurs. Here are a few handy tips.
- Only work on a roof if you feel competent; otherwise call in an expert.
- When inspecting chimney stacks, first check the pots, then make sure the mortar holding them in place is intact. Next, inspect brickwork and pointing, making note of damaged bricks and missing mortar.
- Consider capping unused flues to keep dirt and debris from falling through them.
- Lead or aluminium flashing makes the joint between the chimney stack and the roof surface waterproof. Make sure the upper edge is held securely in the mortar and the lower edges lie flat on the roof; otherwise rain can leak into the roof space.
- The internal angle where two roof slopes meet is usually lined with a metal tray secured to wooden boards. Keep this tray clear of wind-blown debris so it doesn't overflow and soak the wood. Check the tray regularly for corrosion holes, too – any you find can be waterproofed temporarily with self-adhesive flashing tape.
- Check that all your roof vents are capped, otherwise unwanted pests, and all sorts of airborne debris could get in. Heavy-duty flywire secured with a hose clamp can be an effective substitute when a purpose-made cover is unavailable.
A common repair job on the roof that's related to chimneys is fitting new vent flashing. Here's a handy three step guide.
