Repointing, lead flashing, chimney stack repairs and pot replacements across Ely. We make your chimney weathertight and structurally safe.
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📞 Call Now: 0122 366 6465Chimney Repairs in Ely covers damp patch on the chimney breast in an upstairs room and more, with clear written quotes and a 10-year workmanship guarantee. Prices start around £250. Call 0122 366 6465 for a free Ely survey.
Ely's exposed fenland position means chimney stacks take the full force of easterly winds with nothing to break their path. The mortar on the windward side of stacks erodes 2–3 times faster than on sheltered chimneys. We see this consistently across the Georgian and Victorian properties near the Cathedral — the east-facing joints are often completely washed out while the west side still has decades of life left.
Many chimneys in Ely's Cathedral conservation area require lime mortar for repointing rather than cement-based products. Lime allows the brickwork to breathe and flex — essential for period chimneys that move with thermal expansion. We use hot-mixed lime putty for all conservation area chimney work in Ely, matching the original pointing profile.
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0122 366 6465We inspect the chimney stack on your Ely property — mortar condition on all four faces, lead flashing integrity, pot stability and brick condition. For the 1970s post-war estates and Victorian city centre across Highflyer estate, Broad Street, St Mary's Street, Lynn Road and Downham Road, the mortar specification and failure patterns are well known to us.
We determine the correct mortar — lime for pre-1920 chimneys, cement for post-war stock. In Ely, wind-rated mechanical fixings are standard on all Ely work due to the fenland exposure. We match the pointing profile to the existing work.
Mortar is raked to 15mm depth by hand, joints are cleaned and dampened, and new mortar is pressed in to the full depth. Lead flashings are cut and dressed into chased brickwork joints. For Ely chimneys exposed to exposed fenland winds with no natural shelter, we pay particular attention to the windward face.
The completed chimney is checked from all angles. All work carries our 10-year guarantee. In Ely's conditions, properly specified mortar should last 20-30 years before needing attention again.
"Repointed the whole chimney with lime mortar — the east side had completely washed out from the fenland winds. Beautiful finish that matches the original Victorian pointing. First class."
"Lead flashing around the chimney had been patched with mastic three times. They stripped it all out and fitted proper new lead. Took half a day and it's watertight at last."
"Two chimney pots were cracked and leaning at alarming angles. They rebuilt the top two courses, re-set the pots and flashed the base. Stack is solid and straight again."
Chimney faults are a leading cause of damp in Cambridge's older homes. These signs mean the stack needs attention before the damage spreads inside.
When it is not the answer: Not every stained chimney breast is the stack itself — sometimes it is the flashing at the roof line. We trace the true cause before recommending work. Read the full guide.
Chimney work almost always needs a scaffold for safe standing time at the stack; we arrange and itemise it. Scaffold is specified for: almost all stack work — chimneys are the most exposed masonry and need safe standing time to work on properly - always itemised in your written quote, never a hidden extra, and we arrange it.
Ely's historic core near the Cathedral has tight lanes and conservation-area constraints that shape access and materials. Pavement scaffold and skip permits go through East Cambridgeshire District Council; allow a few working days on streets like Forehill, Silver Street, the lanes near the Cathedral where space is tight.
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney flashing repair | £250 – £600 | Correct-code lead |
| Partial repointing (single face) | £150 – £400 | Weather face first |
| Full stack repointing (cement) | £300 – £600 | Modern stacks |
| Full stack repointing (lime, period) | £400 – £800+ | Period brickwork |
| Re-flaunching (bed pots) | £150 – £350 | Cracked flaunching |
| Cowl supply and fit (each) | £80 – £200 | Rain/downdraught/birds |
Worked example: Repointing the weather face of a Victorian stack on a Petersfield terrace in matched lime mortar, with scaffold, typically runs £400–£600. A full re-flaunch and repoint of a redundant Cherry Hinton stack is nearer £600–£900.
No deposit on repairs under £500. Larger stack work is staged after scaffold and materials are on site. VAT included.
Covering CB6, CB7 and surrounding postcodes.
Chimney workmanship is guaranteed for 10 years; we match mortar type and colour so the repair lasts and suits the stack.
If a fault appears in covered work, we come back and put it right. No quibbling, no re-charge.
Historic England recommends lime mortar for pre-1919 chimneys because it accommodates the movement and moisture of soft period brickwork — hard cement mortar on Cambridge's Victorian stacks commonly cracks and spalls the brick faces.
Source: Historic England repointing guidance
Chimney repointing in Ely typically costs £250–£600 depending on the stack size and access requirements. Scaffolding adds £200–£500 if needed. All costs included in our quotes.
On period properties near the Cathedral and within the conservation area, yes — we always use lime mortar. On post-war properties, standard mortar is appropriate. We advise on the right specification for each job.
Ely's exposure to persistent easterly fenland winds drives rain directly into the mortar joints on the east-facing side. This accelerated erosion is unique to exposed locations — chimneys in sheltered towns don't show this pattern.
Yes. We replace and re-bed chimney pots on all types of property in Ely, from standard terracotta pots to decorative period styles. We also fit cowls and capping plates on unused flues.
If mortar is visibly crumbling or missing, we recommend not using an open fire until the chimney is repaired. Failed mortar can allow smoke and carbon monoxide to enter the property through gaps in the brickwork.
Yes. We fit cowls to prevent rain entry, birds nesting in the flue, and downdraught issues. We also fit capping plates on unused chimneys to seal them while maintaining ventilation.
Properly applied mortar lasts 20–30 years in typical conditions. In exposed locations or riverside settings, it may need attention sooner — 15–20 years. Lime mortar often outlasts cement on older chimneys.
Ely's exposed fenland position means roofs face persistent easterly winds with no natural shelter — wind speeds are consistently 15–20% higher than in the sheltered Cambridge basin. For chimney repairs, this means fenland wind drives rain horizontally under tiles at angles that would cause no problems in a sheltered location — every repair specification must account for this exposure.
The city's housing spans medieval properties near the Cathedral, Georgian townhouses on St Mary's Street, Victorian terraces along Broad Street, and large post-war estates including the Highflyer development stretching north.
We carry wind-rated fixings and specify mechanical tile clips rather than mortar bedding as standard for all Ely work — essential in this exposed position. Ely is 16 miles north-east from our Cambridge base — close enough for same-day response on urgent work and regular maintenance visits.
The mortar specification is the most critical decision. For period chimneys across Ely's older properties on Highflyer estate, Broad Street, St Mary's Street, Lynn Road and Downham Road, we use NHL 3.5 hydraulic lime with sharp sand — sometimes adding brick dust to match the original pointing colour. For post-war chimneys, a 1:1:6 cement:lime:sand mix provides the right balance of strength and flexibility.
Chimney flashings in Ely use code 5 lead (2.24mm) for aprons, back gutters and step flashings. The exposed fenland winds with no natural shelter means lead must be properly dressed into chased joints, not surface-mounted with mortar fillets that fail within years. All lead is dressed into chase cuts in the brickwork and sealed with pointing mortar for a permanent, weathertight finish.
No call-out fees. No obligation. Just an honest quote from a local Ely roofer who'll turn up when they say they will.
0122 366 6465