Possible causes
- Cracked or lifted lead flashing
- Failed mortar on the flashing joint or stack
- Damaged chimney pots or flaunching letting water down the flue
- Porous brickwork
Warning signs
- Damp patches on the chimney breast
- Staining on the ceiling beside the stack
- Lead visibly pulled away from the brickwork
Typical solutions
- Renewing lead flashing and soakers
- Repointing the stack
- Rebedding flaunching or fitting caps to unused flues
When to call a roofer
When damp appears near a chimney. Chimney work needs safe access, so an inspection confirms whether flashing, brickwork or the flue is the cause.
This is general guidance. The cause of any roof problem can only be confirmed by inspecting the roof.