Check out the chimney

It’s a good idea to give your roof a quick check before the really nasty weather takes hold.

And while you’re checking out the roof tiles and mortar, don’t forget to take a close look at the chimney.

From outside check from ground level – use binoculars for a good close look.

If chimney pots are broken, cracked or missing it’s fairly easy to spot the problem.  But a common cause of leaking roofs is old and decayed flashing, so check the flashing around the base of the chimney.

Cracked mortar is another cause of damp on the roof, but that applies equally to chimneys, so check for the mortar between the bricks on the chimney stack itself.

Look out for bulges in any rendering or pebbledash on the chimney – a sure sign that water can get in.

And, of course, check that the stack is still in its proper vertical position and not leaning.  High winds over the winter could be the final straw that causes a leaning chimney stack to topple.