Our client asked us to carry out a survey on a large 9 pot chimney stack in the centre of Ambleside, Cumbria. The property was suffering a number of internal damp issues all within the vicinity of the chimney. The survey and subsequent report showed that the stack was in a very poor state. Smoke tests highlighted the extreme porosity of the stack walls, leaving them vulnerable to rainwater ingress and flue camera inspections showed most flues to be damp and blocked with bird’s nests. In addition the chimney lead work was found to be degraded, the flaunching was spalling and the pots were cracked in several places. With all this in mind, our client instructed us to carry out a full rebuild of the entire stack.

In line with client’s wishes, and due to the building’s position within the national park, it was important for us to carry out these works in line with traditional building techniques in order to retain the original aesthetic values of the chimney. For this reason hot lime mortar mixes, rather than modern cementitious materials, were used for all pointing and flaunching works. All of the original stonework was checked for defects re-used wherever possible.  Our trained operatives carried out all of the bespoke leadwork manufacture and welding on site.

Although none of the flues were still in use, new pots and cowls were installed, along with internal vents, which will allow the flues to breathe in order to prevent a re-occurrence of the internal damp issues