Expert Chimney Repairs And Repointing in Camelford, Cornwall

Have you noticed the mortar between your chimney's bricks or stones looking a bit crumbly or recessed? This is what we call mortar decay, and in our part of the world, it’s often accelerated by the salt air and the freeze-thaw cycle during Cornish winters. When the mortar fails, water gets in, freezes, and can cause 'spalling'—where the face of the brick actually starts to flake off. I provide professional repointing services across Camelford and the surrounding villages, carefully raking out the old, perished material and replacing it with a weather-resistant mix. Whether your property needs modern mortar or traditional lime mortar for a heritage look, I ensure the finish is neat, durable, and, most importantly, watertight. It’s a simple bit of maintenance that can save you thousands in structural repairs down the line.

Most of the 'leaky chimney' calls I get in Cornwall aren't actually about the bricks themselves, but the leadwork around the base. The lead flashing acts as the waterproof seal between your chimney stack and your roof tiles. If this lead has cracked, lifted in a gale, or wasn't fitted properly in the first place, water ingress is inevitable. I’m an expert in leadwork and flashing, from installing new lead aprons to fitting intricate step flashings. I also look at the 'flaunching'—that’s the concrete cap at the very top of your chimney. If that’s cracked, rain will run straight down the flue. I'll make sure everything from the pot to the roofline is sealed tight, keeping the Cornish weather exactly where it belongs: outside.

Camelford and the surrounding areas like Delabole and Tintagel are full of beautiful older properties, many built with local stone. These buildings need a different touch than a modern semi in a city. Using the wrong materials, like harsh cement on old stone, can actually trap moisture and cause more damage. I understand the importance of using lime mortar for heritage and listed building roofing. It allows the building to 'breathe' and flex naturally. If your chimney is looking a bit worse for wear, I can perform a full chimney stack restoration, sourcing matching materials to preserve the character of your home while ensuring it meets modern safety standards. It’s about doing the job right so it lasts for another hundred years.

Not sure why your chimney is leaking? It can be hard to tell from the ground, and I don't believe in charging people for expensive scaffolding just to take a look. That’s why I offer advanced drone roof surveys across Camelford. I can send a high-resolution camera right up to the stack to get a crystal-clear view of the chimney pots, the flaunching, and the leadwork. It’s a fast, safe, and non-invasive way to spot a slipped slate or a cracked flue. Once I’ve seen the footage, I can give you a transparent, no-obligation quote based on facts, not guesswork. It’s just one of the ways I try to make life easier for my customers.