Chimney repointing, ridge repointing and masonry pointing across Chippenham and Wiltshire. Correct mortar specification for every property type — lime on historic stock, flexible on modern. Free no-obligation quotes.
Failed pointing is the entry point for water into masonry and mortar beds. We rake out, prepare and repoint correctly — with the right mortar for the material.
Full chimney stack repointing — four sides, correct mortar specification, raked joints properly prepared before filling. Lime mortar on Victorian and Edwardian brick and all stone chimneys. Flexible polymer-modified mortar on modern brick.
Get a quote →Failed or cracked ridge mortar raked out and replaced in flexible mortar appropriate to the tile type. We inspect the full ridge during every repointing visit — loose ridge tiles identified and re-bedded at the same time.
Get a quote →Failed verge mortar on gable ends — cracked or falling mortar at the edge of the roof that allows water and wind-driven rain to get under the tile line. Raked and repointed to prevent tile displacement and water ingress.
Get a quote →External masonry pointing at parapet wall level and gable stonework — exposed positions that deteriorate faster than sheltered elevations. Essential on Chippenham's Victorian and Georgian buildings where parapet copings allow water into the wall cavity when pointing fails.
Get a quote →The mortar bed securing chimney pots (flaunching) replaced where cracked or falling away. Repaired in cement mortar on modern chimneys, lime mortar on Victorian and Edwardian stacks. Pots inspected and replaced where broken at the same visit.
Get a quote →All historic masonry repointing uses correct NHL lime mortars, appropriately matched in colour and texture to the original joint. We do not use cement on Victorian brick, Bath stone, Cotswold limestone or any other soft historic masonry — ever.
Get a quote →Free survey. Correct mortar specification, first time.
The single most important thing about repointing in Chippenham is mortar specification, and it's the thing most frequently got wrong by generalist contractors. Victorian terraces off Wood Lane and Foghamshire Road were built with soft brick and lime mortar — the two are compatible because lime is softer than the brick and allows natural thermal movement and moisture breathing. Apply modern OPC cement to that joint, and over 10–20 years the harder cement crushes the brick face and causes spalling that permanently damages the building fabric.
We carry NHL 2.5 and NHL 3.5 hydraulic lime as standard stock for Chippenham's Victorian and Edwardian properties and for all conservation area work in Corsham, Box, Lacock and Bradford-on-Avon. For modern 1960s–90s brick, we use flexible polymer-modified cement mortar that handles thermal movement in fired clay brick better than standard OPC. Ridge repointing uses purpose-made flexible ridge mortar regardless of property age — standard OPC mortar at ridge level is too rigid and cracks within 5–10 years of application.
Chimney stack repoint (full four sides): £300–£600. Ridge repointing (per metre): £25–£45. Verge repointing (per side): £150–£300. Flaunching replacement (per stack): £200–£400. All prices include scaffold where required. Free written quote before any work starts.
"Victorian terrace — chimney had been cement repointed at some point and the brick faces were starting to spall. Cement raked out carefully, lime repointing applied. Brick faces have stopped deteriorating and the stack looks right again."
"Full ridge repoint on our 1972 semi after the survey identified six loose tiles and open joints across the ridge. Flexible mortar used throughout. All done in one day from scaffold."
"Bath stone cottage with a brick chimney stack that had been repointed in cement by a previous owner. Cement carefully removed, NHL 2.5 lime applied throughout. Conservation officer confirmed the work met requirements. Excellent specialist knowledge."
It depends entirely on the construction. Modern brickwork (post-1950s) can take cement-based mortar. Victorian and Edwardian brick and all stone buildings require lime-based mortar — NHL 2.5 or 3.5 hydraulic lime appropriate to the brick or stone hardness. Using cement on soft historic brick causes spalling. We assess and specify correctly during the free survey.
A full chimney stack repoint (four sides, both scaffold platforms): £300–£600 depending on stack height and condition. Ridge repointing runs £25–£45 per metre of ridge. All work includes scaffold where required and a written quote before start.
Like-for-like repointing doesn't require consent on most properties. On listed buildings, the mortar specification must be approved — cement is never appropriate. In conservation areas, visible changes to mortar colour or profile may need prior notification. We advise during the survey.
Good quality cement repointing on modern brickwork: 20–30 years. Lime repointing on historic masonry: 30–60 years. Flexible mortar on ridge tiles: 15–25 years. Premature failure is almost always caused by using the wrong mortar specification for the substrate, or inadequate preparation of the original joint.
Spot repointing is appropriate where a small number of individual joints have failed and the surrounding mortar is sound. Where more than 20–25% of joints are open or failed, a full repoint is more cost-effective. We assess joint condition during the free survey and give a clear recommendation.
We use sand and lime aggregate mixes that closely match the original joint colour on historic properties. An exact match isn't always achievable — weathered original mortar has a different appearance to fresh pointing — but we aim to blend as sympathetically as possible. On listed buildings, mortar specification may be subject to planning approval.
Both can cause similar symptoms — water ingress at the chimney base. A drone or binocular inspection from ground level usually distinguishes the cause. Open mortar joints with visible gaps are a pointing issue; discoloured or lifted lead with intact mortar is a flashing issue. We assess both on every chimney visit.
Correct mortar for every property type. Chippenham and all of Wiltshire.
01249 247 076