We’ve worked on Lancing roofs for years — an inter-war semi off North Road, the terraces, the newer builds — and our chimney repairs reflects it: matched, tidy, guaranteed.
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Adur flood plain humidity means felt underlay decay and timber batten rot run significantly faster than in elevated or sheltered locations. Chimney failure is one of the most common sources of water ingress on older Lancing properties. The combination of exposed position, multiple mortar joints, and lead flashings makes chimneys the highest-maintenance element of most roofs.
Every chimney assessment starts at roof level — not just from the ground or loft hatch. We check lead step and apron flashing condition; mortar pointing on all four faces (south-facing is usually worst); pot condition and stability; stack lean or movement; and the flashings between chimney and roof covering.
Repointing is appropriate when the brickwork is sound and the mortar has simply weathered out — common on Victorian stacks in Lancing after 80-100 years. Rebuilding is needed when bricks have spalled (frost damage or wrong mortar mix has damaged the face), the stack has developed a lean, or structural movement has opened cracks wider than can be pointed.
Low-lying coastal strip position means both sea exposure from the south and Adur flood plain humidity from the east. Some of the highest ambient moisture levels in West Sussex outside dedicated wetland areas. No elevation to deflect Channel weather — full south-westerly exposure at ground and roof level. Correctly installed lead copes with thermal cycling through section lengths of 1.5m maximum. Sections that are too long or have been patched rather than replaced will crack at stress points. We replace lead rather than patch in most Lancing cases — the cost difference over a 10-year horizon makes replacement the right answer.
| Chimney repointing (single stack) | £300 - £800 |
| Lead flashing replacement | £300 - £700 |
| Chimney pot replacement | £200 - £500 |
| Partial stack rebuild | £800 - £2,500 |
| Full chimney survey & report | Free |
“Victorian chimney stack had been poorly repointed with cement years ago. Whole lot needed re-doing properly with lime mortar. Excellent job, very knowledgeable about the lime specification.”
“Lead flashing around the chimney had failed. They replaced it all, repointed two courses that had softened, and fitted a bird guard. Comprehensive job.”
“Stack had developed a lean. They assessed it, took photos, explained the options clearly and did a partial rebuild. Very happy with the result.”
Not every Lancing roof that looks tired needs work. Chimneys take the full force of the weather and are a common leak source — the flashing where lead meets brick usually fails before the stack itself.
What to look for:
When it is not the answer: If the stack is redundant and beyond economic repair, removing it below roofline and making good can be the better-value option — see our guide.
1930s-50s bungalows on South Lancing beach strip, 1960s-70s estate housing in North Lancing, Adur flood plain position. Concrete interlocking tile on bungalow strip, aged 50-80 years. Flat garage and bungalow sections with felt at or past end of life on most properties..
Low-lying coastal strip between the South Downs and sea. Combined sea exposure from south and Adur flood plain humidity from east..
Adur flood plain humidity means felt underlay and timber batten decay runs significantly faster than in elevated or sheltered locations. Flat sections on bungalows consistently fail sooner than equivalent inland properties..
Pricing note: GRP flat roofing is particularly cost-effective in Lancing — the high ambient moisture makes felt lifespan even shorter than elsewhere in the region..
Every job follows the same clear process — no surprises, no hidden costs, full communication throughout.
Roof-level inspection of all four faces of the chimney stack. Lead, mortar, pot and structural condition all assessed. Photographs taken of all findings.
We specify the correct mortar type (lime or OPC depending on age of property), lead code, and work required. We advise on conservation area or listed building consent if applicable.
Safe access arranged for all chimney work. Pavement licensing where required for terrace properties.
Repointing with correct mortar mix. Lead replacement dressed in sections no longer than 1.5m with correct thermal movement allowance. Patination oil applied on completion.
10-year written workmanship guarantee. Written completion report documenting all work carried out.
Most Lancing chimney repairs jobs fall into these bands:
| Job | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Re-point a stack | Half to a full day |
| Renew lead flashing & soakers | Half to a full day |
| Rebuild the top few courses | 1–2 days |
| Full stack rebuild | 2–3 days |
| Remove stack & make good | 1–2 days |
In Lancing, mortar and flaunching need dry conditions to cure, so stack work is planned around the forecast.
Access shapes every Lancing quote: chimney work almost always needs scaffold or a tower with a chimney platform — the stack cannot be worked safely from a ladder. Scaffold is specified for almost all stack work — a chimney needs a safe standing platform, not a ladder — always itemised in your written quote, never a hidden extra, and we arrange it.
In Lancing, Lancing's inter-war and post-war coastal housing off North Road carries concrete tile with generally open, accessible plots. Pavement scaffold and skip permits go through Adur District Council; allow a few working days on streets like North Road, South Street, Penhill Road where space is tight.
Typical chimney repairs costs in Lancing (your written quote is fixed after survey):
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Re-point a stack | £250–£500 | Access dependent |
| Renew lead flashing & soakers | £300–£650 | Per stack |
| Rebuild top courses & re-flaunch | £400–£800 | Incl. pots reset |
| Full stack rebuild | £900–£1,800 | Brick & lead |
| Remove stack & make good | £600–£1,200 | Below roofline |
Worked example: A re-point and new lead flashing on an inter-war semi off North Road typically runs around £650, including access and waste.
For Lancing homeowners: no deposit on pointing or flashing under £500; staged terms on rebuilds, materials first.
Every Lancing job we complete is backed in writing: our workmanship is backed by a written 10-year guarantee, with manufacturer warranties on materials on top.
If a fault appears in covered work, we come back and put it right — no quibbling, no re-charge.
Scaffold to the stack and some brick and mortar debris — sheeted and cleared, with the fireplace protected if the flue is worked. It is a routine sight on Lancing streets. You do not need to stay home for external work — we just need power and access agreed in advance.
We plan pointing and flaunching for dry spells so the mortar cures; flashing renewal is more weather-tolerant. Locally, on the flat coastal plain, Lancing is fully exposed to south-westerly gales and salt air off the Channel.
A single chimney stack repoint in Lancing costs £300-£800 depending on height, accessibility and extent. We carry out free surveys and provide written quotes for all chimney work.
Lime mortar — not OPC cement. Victorian brickwork requires a mortar softer than the brick face. Cement mortar is harder than the brick and drives moisture into the brick face, causing spalling. This is a common error by inexperienced contractors. We use appropriate lime mixes as standard on all pre-1940 properties.
Signs: mortar visibly recessed or missing between bricks; white salt deposits (efflorescence) on the chimney face; damp patches inside the house near the chimney breast; visible cracks in the stack. A free survey confirms the extent.
If you can see visible lean, large cracks running through multiple brick courses, or significant mortar loss from the upper courses, treat this as a structural concern and call us. We carry out free assessments. An unsafe chimney stack is a serious safety issue.
Yes. We stock and can source a wide range of traditional and period-appropriate chimney pots. On conservation area properties we source matching profiles. We also fit chimney cowls and bird guards.
Yes — from partial stack rebuild above the roofline to complete chimney removal. We advise on the most cost-effective approach during the free survey.
We cover Lancing and the wider West Sussex area. Call 01273 973 996 to confirm.
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