What Is Chimney Flaunching? How It Protects Your Roof & When to Repair It

Look up at a chimney & you’ll often see a neat slope of mortar holding the pots in place. That slope is the chimney flaunching. It seals the top of the stack & guides rain away so water doesn’t seep into the brickwork or roof.

When flaunching starts to crack, rain slips through & trouble follows. Damp patches appear near the chimney breast, timbers soften, ceilings stain. Leave it & small damage can turn into a full roof & chimney repair job that costs far more than an early fix.

Most people only hear the word when a roofer points it out during an inspection. Knowing what it is helps you spot wear sooner & deal with it before leaks become an expensive headache.

Chimney Flaunching Explained

What is chimney flaunching?

Chimney flaunching is a layer of mortar shaped across the top of the stack. It’s laid to hold the pots firm & send rainwater running off instead of letting it sit. A good flaunching keeps the chimney dry & steady through years of sun, frost & heavy weather. Over time though, that mortar can crack, crumble or lift away. When it does, the stack loses protection & water can start to seep inside.

Why flaunching is important for protecting your roof

Once the flaunching fails, rain finds every tiny gap. Moisture travels down the stack & into the roof space. That can lead to damp ceilings, soft timber & costly roof repairs. Sometimes the first clue is just a faint stain near the chimney breast or a musty smell in the loft after wet weather. Repairing or re-flaunching a chimney early is usually far cheaper than fixing full leaks & structural damage later on.

Chimney Flaunching Repair & Replacement

Chimney flaunching repair cost UK

The price for chimney flaunching repair in the UK varies with the size of the stack and how easy it is to reach. Simple jobs on a single storey home can start around a couple of hundred pounds. Taller stacks or awkward access, such as when scaffolding is needed, will push the cost up. If the mortar has only small cracks, a roofer may patch and seal it. If large areas have broken away, a full re-flaunch is usually better & still cheaper than waiting for leaks to cause major roof damage.

When to replace chimney flaunching

Flaunching that is badly cracked or missing chunks often needs replacing rather than patching. The same goes if the pots have loosened or water has already soaked deep into the stack. Roofers will chip away the old mortar, clean the surface and lay a new mix shaped to shed water. Asking early before winter sets in can save money because frozen conditions make repair harder and more time consuming. If you are wondering how much to replace chimney flaunching, expect costs to rise with height, complexity & any need for scaffolding.

Signs your flaunching needs urgent repair

Keep an eye out for broken or missing mortar around the top of the chimney. Loose or tilted pots, damp marks near the chimney breast and bits of mortar on the roof are clear warnings. If water is already getting through, you might see staining on ceilings or smell damp in the loft. Catching these signs early means a straightforward chimney repair or chimney stack repair rather than a full roof job later on.

Chimney Repair & Repointing Services

Chimney repointing vs flaunching - what’s the difference?

Repointing and flaunching often get mixed up but they are not the same job. Repointing is the process of removing damaged mortar from between the bricks in the chimney stack and replacing it with fresh mortar. It keeps the stack strong and stops rain from finding a way through the joints. Flaunching sits right at the very top and protects the base of the pots.

If your stack has loose or missing mortar in the brickwork, repointing is usually needed. If the top slope that holds the pots is cracked or missing, the job is to re-flaunch. Costs to repoint a chimney vary with the size and height of the stack, but it is normally cheaper than a full rebuild.

Chimney stack repair & costs explained

A chimney stack repair can mean a lot of things, from replacing a few loose bricks to a full rebuild of the top section. Small repairs or fresh mortar joints often start from a few hundred pounds. Larger jobs, especially on tall or hard to reach stacks, cost more and may need scaffolding. A simple chimney repair is usually much cheaper than letting damage spread and needing a whole new stack.

Choosing local experts for chimney repair in Bath

For homes in Bath, finding a roofer or builder who knows the local housing stock is a smart move. Older Georgian and Victorian chimneys often need special care and the right mortar mix. A good local expert can inspect the stack, spot early issues and carry out chimney repairs before water gets into the roof. Checking website options, asking neighbours & even calling up providers and asking directly for roofers with proven experience in Bath can save time and money later.

Roof & Chimney Repair in Bath

Combined roof & chimney repair services

 Problems with a chimney often go hand in hand with issues on the roof around it. Water can creep in where cracked flaunching meets worn tiles or damaged flashing. Many roofing companies offer combined roof and chimney repair so the whole area is fixed at once. This can mean replacing slipped tiles, renewing lead flashing and repairing or re-flaunching the chimney in a single visit. Sorting both together saves time, cuts labour costs & prevents future leaks.

Local roof repair in Bath

If you live in Bath, choosing a roofer who knows the area can make a big difference. Many homes here have older slate or clay roofs that need a careful approach. Local roof repair specialists understand the materials and the weather challenges that come with the city’s mix of old and new housing. Whether you need a small roof repair, a full roof and chimney repair Bath homeowners can rely on, or just a quick patch to stop a leak, working with someone nearby often means faster callouts and better value. Searching for roof repairs Bath or chimney and roof repair near Bath can help you find trusted local trades.

Chimney Flaunching Costs - What to Expect

Average cost to repair or replace flaunching

Repairing chimney flaunching in the UK is usually affordable compared with larger roof jobs. Small patch repairs can start from a few hundred pounds. A full re-flaunch, where the old mortar is replaced, may cost more but is still cheaper than fixing leaks later. Tall or hard to reach stacks can add to the price if scaffolding is needed.

Factors affecting flaunching repair price

Price depends on height, access and the condition of the stack. Chimneys that need extra scaffolding or brickwork repairs will cost more. If you are wondering how much it costs to repair a chimney stack, simple low-level jobs are cheaper than full rebuilds or complex roof work.

Why Choose KN Roofing for Chimney Repairs in Bath

• Trusted local roofing contractors

KN Roofing has years of experience working on homes across Bath. We understand the local roof styles and know how to keep older chimneys watertight.

• Quality workmanship & long-lasting mortar mixes

Our team uses strong, weather-resistant mortar and proven methods to re-flaunch or repair your chimney so it lasts through harsh winters and heavy rain.

• Honest pricing with free quotes

We offer clear advice, fair prices and free quotes before any work begins, helping Bath homeowners plan repairs with confidence.

FAQs About Chimney Flaunching & Repairs

How long does chimney flaunching last?

Good flaunching can last 15–20 years or more, but harsh weather may shorten its life. Checking it every few years helps catch cracks before leaks begin.

Can damaged flaunching be repaired instead of replaced?

Small cracks can often be patched, sealing the top and extending its life. If large sections have broken away or the pots are loose, a full re-flaunch is usually the better fix.

What’s the difference between flaunching, flashing & repointing?

Flaunching is the sloped mortar on top of the chimney stack. Flashing is the lead or metal sheet that seals the base of the stack to the roof. Repointing replaces mortar between the bricks to keep the stack solid and dry.

If you’ve noticed cracks in your chimney flaunching or damp around the stack, it’s best to act before the damage spreads. KN Roofing offers free quotes for chimney flaunching repair and full roof & chimney repair in Bath. Get in touch today to arrange an inspection and keep your home dry and protected.

Get a Free Quote for Chimney Flaunching & Roof Repairs in Bath