When a chimney stack in Brundall needs to come down, the materials used to reinstate the roof covering make a real difference to how the finished job looks and how long it lasts.
Once you have decided a chimney stack should come down, there are actually two separate decisions to make. First, how far down does the stack come? Second, what materials will be used to make good the roof once it is gone? Getting both decisions right means the finished job is weathertight, tidy and does not cause problems further down the line.
There are broadly two options: taking the stack down to below roof level, or taking it down to just above the ceiling of the top floor (known as taking it down to just above the roof or to the "haunching" level). In most cases, taking it fully below the roofline and reinstating the roof covering is the cleaner and more permanent solution. Reducing a stack to just above the roofline and capping it is sometimes done, but it leaves masonry in a vulnerable position and still requires lead work and ongoing maintenance.
A full take-down removes all masonry above the roof, seals the roof covering, and caps or fills the void inside at ceiling level. That is the option that genuinely ends the maintenance liability. Partial reductions are sometimes chosen for aesthetic reasons - where a chimney is prominent on a period property - but the roofer should be clear that it still needs proper weatherproofing and will still require attention over time.
The material used to reinstate the roof where the stack stood depends on what is already there. A good roofer will match the existing covering as closely as possible. Here is what that means in practice for the most common roof types:
Clay plain tiles are found on many older properties. Matching them well requires finding tiles of the right size, profile and weathering. New clay tiles are available and will be perfectly functional, but they will be noticeably lighter or brighter in colour than the surrounding weathered tiles for several years. Second-hand reclaimed clay tiles are often a better match in colour and texture, though sourcing a good batch takes more effort and they cost more to buy per tile.
Concrete interlocking tiles are common on properties built from the mid-twentieth century onwards. They come in a narrower range of profiles than clay, and matching the exact profile of an existing tile is usually straightforward because manufacturers' ranges are well documented. Colour matching is harder - concrete tiles fade over time, so new tiles from the same manufacturer will be noticeably darker or different in tone against weathered ones.
Natural slate roofs are less common on standard post-war housing but appear on period and prestige properties. Sourcing matching slate requires knowing the origin of the existing slate - Welsh, Spanish and Chinese slates all have different surface characteristics, thicknesses and colours. Using the wrong slate will be obvious to anyone who looks carefully. Reclaimed Welsh slate is often the best match for older properties.
On some properties the chimney stack passes through a flat-roofed section or outhouse. Where the reinstatement area is flat rather than pitched, the usual options are torch-on mineral-felt or EPDM rubber membrane.
Torch-on felt is a built-up system using layers of bitumen-bonded felt, typically with a mineral-surfaced cap sheet. It is a well-established system that most roofers are experienced with, and it performs well when properly installed. EPDM rubber is a single-ply membrane that is bonded or mechanically fixed to the deck. It is more flexible, handles ponding water well, and has a long expected service life. Both are sound options for small flat-roof reinstatement areas; the right choice depends on the existing roof covering and the condition of the deck beneath.
When a chimney is taken down, all existing lead flashings are removed. There is no requirement to reinstate flashings because the chimney is gone, but if there is an adjacent wall or abutment nearby, new flashing may be needed as part of making the roof weathertight. Lead is the standard material and the right choice - it is long-lasting, malleable and proven. Cheaper alternatives exist but are not comparable in performance.
Once the stack is down, there is a void running through the roof structure where the chimney stood. This needs to be dealt with properly. At the lowest point - typically at ceiling level in the top floor - the void is capped or fully filled. This prevents cold air, birds and moisture from entering the house through what is now just a hole in your ceiling. Ask your roofer exactly how this will be handled before work starts.
The roof patch does not need to be invisible, but it should be tidy and weathertight. A roofer who takes the time to source matching tiles or slate, and who leaves the roof looking like a deliberate job rather than a repair, is doing the work properly. Ask to see the finished reinstatement area before the scaffold comes down. If you are in Brundall and weighing up your options for a chimney take-down, call Norwich Roofers to talk through materials and get a clear picture of what the job involves.
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