Family-Run Chimney Specialists

Common signs include crumbling or missing mortar between bricks (repointing needed), damp patches appearing on chimney breast walls, smoke blowing back into the room, loose or leaning chimney pots, visible cracks in the brickwork or flaunching, and white salt stains (efflorescence) on the stack. If you notice any of these, call us for a free inspection — catching problems early prevents much more costly repairs.

Flaunching is the cement mortar bed at the very top of your chimney stack that secures the chimney pots and directs rainwater away from the flue. When it cracks or deteriorates — common in coastal areas like Margate due to salt air and freeze-thaw cycles — water can penetrate the chimney causing damp, structural damage and even carbon monoxide risks. We inspect and replace flaunching as part of our chimney maintenance services.

Yes, for any structural chimney work. Chimney demolition, rebuilding, and internal breast removal all require Building Regulations approval under Part A (structural) and Approved Document J (combustion). If the chimney is on a shared wall with a neighbour, a Party Wall Notice is also required. We handle all necessary compliance and provide full documentation on completion.

Chimney repointing costs depend on the size and height of the stack, accessibility, and extent of the work required. As a guide, eaves chimney repointing starts from around £650 and ridge chimneys from around £1,075. Chimney rebuilding typically ranges from £1,500 to £1,900. We always provide a free, written, no-obligation quote tailored to your specific chimney before any work begins.

Chimney stack removal with tiling over is a popular option to reclaim loft space and simplify your roofline. We remove the chimney stack down to roof level, install new roofing felt, timber battens and counter-battens, then tile over to seamlessly match your existing roof. Building Regulations approval is required. Stack-only removal typically takes 4–8 hours; full breast removal takes 3–4 days.

Yes — our professional drone survey service provides high-resolution 4K aerial inspections without the need for scaffolding, making it significantly faster and more cost-effective than traditional access methods. Our CAA-compliant drones inspect chimney stack condition, flaunching, lead flashing, chimney pots, cowls and mortar joints, delivering a detailed photographic report. Ideal for initial assessments, insurance documentation and condition surveys.

Chimney water ingress usually stems from one of several causes: damaged or missing lead flashing (the weatherproof seal between chimney and roof), cracked or failed flaunching at the chimney crown, porous brickwork absorbing rainwater, a missing or damaged chimney cap/cowl, or condensation forming within an uninsulated flue. Coastal properties in Margate and Thanet are particularly susceptible due to driving rain and salt air. We diagnose the exact cause and repair it properly.

Absolutely. Margate Roofing Ltd carries full public liability insurance on every job. All structural work is carried out in compliance with Building Regulations and we provide written documentation on completion. We serve homeowners, landlords and letting agents across Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Cliftonville, Herne Bay, Whitstable, Birchington and Westgate-on-Sea.

A professionally repointed chimney using the correct mortar mix should last 20–30 years under normal conditions. In coastal areas like Margate, salt air and freeze-thaw cycles can reduce this to 15–25 years. Using mortar that is softer than the surrounding bricks is essential — if mortar is too hard it forces bricks to crack instead. We always select the appropriate mortar specification for your chimney type and location.

We are based in Margate and serve the entire Isle of Thanet including Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Cliftonville, Birchington, Westgate-on-Sea, Minster and the surrounding villages. We also regularly work in Herne Bay, Whitstable and across East Kent. Call us on 07957 363450 to confirm availability in your area — we are happy to travel for the right job.

Repointing replaces only the deteriorated mortar joints between existing bricks — the bricks themselves remain in place. It is the appropriate solution when the brickwork is structurally sound but mortar has eroded. Rebuilding is required when the bricks themselves are damaged, the stack is leaning, or structural integrity is compromised. We carry out a thorough assessment to recommend the most cost-effective solution for your chimney.

Yes, always. We provide clear written quotes before any work begins with no hidden costs. On completion of structural work, we provide the relevant compliance documentation and can supply details for building control sign-off. Our documentation is accepted by home insurers and can support property sales.