Service
Chimney Flaunching Cost (2026)
Flaunching is the mortar cap that holds the chimney pots in place. When it cracks, water tracks straight into the stack. Repointing a small area starts around £180; a full flaunching renewal on a two-pot stack is typically £320–£520 including scaffold tower.
- Small repair (single pot): £180–£280
- Full flaunching renewal 2 pots: £320–£520
- Add rebuild of top 4 courses: +£350–£650
- 3:1 sharp sand & cement mix — not soft mortar
- Tower scaffold included in most quotes
- Same-visit pot repositioning if leaning
What flaunching actually does
The flaunching is the sloped mortar bed on top of the chimney that seals around the base of the pot. It sheds water outwards so nothing sits on the brickwork. When it cracks — usually after 15–25 years — water gets between pot and mortar, freezes, and the whole cap starts to spall away.
Repair vs full renewal — how we decide
If the crack is hairline and the pot is still firm we can cut out and repoint the top 25mm (£180–£280). If mortar comes away in chunks, the pot moves, or there's already staining in the loft, the whole cap comes off and we re-bed the pot on fresh 3:1 mortar with a proper 45° slope.
- ▸Hairline crack, pot firm → repoint only
- ▸Chunks missing, pot loose → full renewal
- ▸Damp stain in bedroom ceiling → renewal + flashing check
- ▸Pot leaning >10° → re-bed with fresh flaunching
What we don't do
We won't skim silicone or waterproofer over a failed flaunching — it lasts one winter and traps moisture underneath. We won't use soft (lime-heavy) mortar on an exposed cap; it needs a stronger mix for weather resistance.
FAQs
How long does chimney flaunching last?+
A properly-mixed cap in 3:1 sharp sand and cement lasts 20–30 years. Weaker mixes or cement-only caps often crack inside 10.
Can you do it without full scaffold?+
On most two-storey homes a tower or roof ladder is enough — that's why prices stay under £550. Three storeys or steep pitch needs edge protection which adds £250–£400.
How do I know if my flaunching is the problem and not the flashing?+
Look for a stain directly around the chimney breast in the top bedroom. Flaunching failures usually show as damp on the chimney breast wall itself; flashing failures show up at the ceiling/wall junction.
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