Leak in loft at chimney

spaceboy

This morning I was woken by a dripping sound on the ceiling and I went into the loft to investigate. There are drips coming from the lead flashing area around the chimney and some of the timber is wet surrounding this.

Does anyone know how much repairing this is likely to cost? It's a two storey house with the chimney in the centre of the house. 1950s build.

FreeBear

If you can find a roofer or chimney specialist prepared to do the work off a ladder, it could be under £500 (assuming an easy fix). If it requires scaffolding, budget £1500 and be happy if the final bill is around £1000.

Up north, you may find it cheaper, in London, double the figures.

Keep_pedalling

I don’t think it possible to estimate costs on a single photo, you are going to need some quotes by local builders / roofing companies.

Looks like this has been going on for some time and some of the sodden timbers may need replacing. What is the purpose of that lagged copper pipe attached to the chimney stack?

spaceboy

Keep_pedalling said:

I don’t think it possible to estimate costs on a single photo, you are going to need some quotes by local builders / roofing companies.

Looks like this has been going on for some time and some of the sodden timbers may need replacing. What is the purpose of that lagged copper pipe attached to the chimney stack?

I'm not sure what the pipe was for, there used to be a cold water tank up there and it may have been something to do with that but I find it odd too. Tank was removed 5 years ago when I got a combi boiler fitted. *Just looked outside at the roof and it's an overflow pipe.

There are definitely old water stains in various parts of the roof. I've lived here 8 years and this is the first time I've heard drips hitting the ceiling. It's particularly wet and windy today.

stuart45

Is the chimney in use?

spaceboy

This is what it looks like outside. That long section of lead flashing is directly above that wet section of timber.

spaceboy

stuart45 said:

Is the chimney in use?

No, hasn't been in use in years.

stuart45

It might be worth taking it down to below roof height.

Keep_pedalling

spaceboy said:

stuart45 said:

Is the chimney in use?

No, hasn't been in use in years.

In which cast I think I would be looking at having it removed. 

spaceboy

Keep_pedalling said:

spaceboy said:

stuart45 said:

Is the chimney in use?

No, hasn't been in use in years.

In which cast I think I would be looking at having it removed. 

Well there are over 100 houses like this in the area and none have had the chimney removed, which has always puzzled me. Walking to the shops just now I've noticed several have. Had the flashing repaired though taking the seal higher up the chimney.

MikeJXE

It looks to me in the corner where the ridge meets the chimney the flashing is missing