Maesteg has a great many older properties, and a good number of them still have a brick or stone chimney stack standing above the roofline. Even where the fireplace below has not been used in years, the stack itself often remains, and it can quietly deteriorate for a long time before anyone notices a problem inside the house. On many of the town's terraced streets, these stacks have stood for well over a century and have weathered a great deal in that time.
A chimney stack is one of the most exposed parts of any roof. It stands above the ridge line, catches wind from every direction, and is subject to constant wetting and drying. Over the years this takes a toll, and older stacks in particular are prone to a handful of common problems, many of which develop gradually and out of sight.
Common causes of chimney deterioration
Repointing is often the first thing to fail. The mortar between the bricks or stones is more porous than the masonry itself, and years of rain, frost and general weathering gradually erode it, leaving gaps that let water penetrate deeper into the stack. Once water gets in, freeze thaw cycles through the colder months can crack bricks and stonework from the inside out, a problem that tends to accelerate once it starts.
The flashing where the chimney meets the roof is another weak point. This lead or flashing detail is what keeps water from running down the join between the stack and the roof slope, and if it corrodes, lifts or was poorly installed in the first place, water can track down into the roof space and ceilings below without any obvious sign on the chimney itself. A leaning or unstable stack, sometimes caused by a failing chimney cap, cracked flaunching around the pots, or general age, is a more serious issue and should always be looked at promptly given the height and weight involved. On many older Maesteg terraces, chimneys are shared or closely spaced with neighbouring properties, which is worth bearing in mind if repair work is needed.
What to do if you are concerned about your chimney
Signs to watch for include damp patches near the chimney breast inside the house, debris or crumbling mortar in the fireplace or guttering below, or a stack that looks visibly uneven from the ground. Because a chimney sits at height and its condition is not always easy to judge from the ground, it is not something to leave to guesswork. If you have noticed any of these signs on your Maesteg property, T & T Roofing and Home Improvements Ltd carries out chimney repairs and repointing as part of our full roofing service. We offer a free, no-obligation inspection and quotation, so you can find out exactly what condition your chimney is in and what work, if any, it needs. Call 07766 547309 to arrange a visit.
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