Chimney leak...

[MarkFish]

We've got a tall spindly chimney which let water in during the gale before Christmas. I've suspected it's leaking for ages. [1] Precious advice suggests it'll be quicker and easier to have it removed rather than properly capping it, having it repointed and new flashing.

- Am I right in thinking that bulk of the removal work can be done by removing tiles and working from inside the loft space thus avoiding the need for scaffolding? (First floor conservatories/extensions on our property and the one next door mean exterior access to the chimney is a bit tricky.)

- Will it be possible/easy to get a perfect match for the existing tiles? What if they're not available?

- Any other comments?

Just out of interest: The chimney is tall and thin - it looks like a good shove would topple it. Are brick chimneys reinforced with iron rods or some such?

Thanks in advance.

[1] Photos:
http://i40.tinypic.com/35je4pv.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/fa8nxs.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/p6d5j.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/2hd2ut5.jpg

 

[Alastairreid]

Is the stack unused? it appears to have a GC1 gas cap fitted.

Stacks are not reinforced, they are surprisingly strong and would be very unlikely you could push it over.

You will need a scaffold for safe removal and disposal.

The roof tiles are quite common and readily available.

 

[Safety First]

Hi Mark,
Have only done it once myself and it's hard to imagine just how tricky your tricky access is,but, I would rather disturb as little roof as possible and get it down from the outside. Saves getting it all through loft and through house. You could (risk serious injury and) take it down from a ladder, removing a few bricks at a time, throwing them into a nearby skip

You will have to spend some time on the roof to close it in at the end surely ? So why not do the lot from outside?

Tile match- not sure. Prior to starting take an easy reach (?) tile to reclamation yard to find out about matching?

Would not expect to find much of a problem in terms of removing any metall maybe a few ties....

Just my novice 2p

 

[MarkFish]

Is the stack unused? it appears to have a GC1 gas cap fitted.

Yeah, deffo not used and it's hard to imagine it ever would be now. Back it the day it probably had a boiler under it.

You will need a scaffold for safe removal and disposal.

Thanks, not what I was hoping due to a rather vulnerable brand new EPDM first floor roof.

The roof tiles are quite common and readily available.

Thanks that's great.