West Derby, in L12, is mainly inter-war and later semis plus detached houses, with some older properties near the village. Chimney problems here are usually leaks from flashing or flaunching on ridge stacks, storm-damaged pots and cowls, and stacks nobody uses any more. We inspect, explain what is wrong with photos, and send a written quote.
After the storm: what to check
A lot of our West Derby calls follow a spell of high wind. Stacks sit at the highest, most exposed point of the roof, so they take the worst of it. Once the weather has calmed, it is worth a careful look from the garden or the pavement. You do not need to go up a ladder; binoculars are enough.
- Count the pots. Are they all there, and are they upright?
- Look at any cowls. Have any been bent, twisted or blown off?
- Check the lead where the stack meets the tiles. Has any of it lifted or flapped loose?
- Look in the garden and on the drive for pieces of mortar, pot or brick.
- Inside, check the ceilings and chimney breasts upstairs for new stains.
If anything looks wrong, call us with a description and, ideally, a photo.
Typical repairs in L12
Lead that has lifted
Wind can peel back lead that has lost its grip in the brick joints. Re-dressing and re-fixing it, or replacing it if it has split, stops water running behind it. Our chimney flashing repairs cover this.
Pots and cowls
Damaged pots are replaced and rebedded in new flaunching. Lost or broken cowls are swapped for suitable new ones, matched to whatever uses the flue, through our pot and cowl work.
Leaks with no obvious cause
Not every leak shows up from the garden. Where the cause is hidden, our leak investigation and repair process looks at the whole stack before suggesting a fix.
Chimneys you no longer need
Plenty of homes in West Derby now have central heating and fireplaces that have not been lit in years. A stack that serves nothing still needs maintaining, and if it is in poor shape, taking it down below the roofline and making good the roof can be worth considering. On a semi, the stack is often shared, so your neighbour’s flue and agreement come into it. Our chimney stack removal page explains the steps, and our cost guide covers what affects the price.
If a pot or brick has come down and the rest of the stack looks unsteady, keep people away from the area beneath and call us. Do not attempt to make it safe yourself.
How we work
We call you back, ask about the house and what you have seen, and then inspect using the safest suitable method, from the ground, a ladder, roof access or a drone. You get a clear explanation, photos and a written quote. Access is arranged properly before work starts, and we show you photos of the finished stack afterwards.
Next door to West Derby
Our work extends into Old Swan and out to Huyton. You can read more on our Liverpool chimney experts homepage, which explains the full range of chimney and stack repairs we offer.
Storm damage to your chimney?
Ring 07777 659786 and describe what you can see from the ground. We will call you back to arrange a look.
Frequently asked questions
Why has my chimney only started leaking after a storm?
Strong wind can lift lead that was already loose, crack weak flaunching or dislodge a pot or cowl. The damage was often building for a while and the storm finished it off. If you notice damp soon after high winds, look at the stack from the ground and give us a call.
Is it safe to use my fireplace if the chimney is leaking?
Water in a flue can damage the lining and brickwork, and a leak can hint at other faults at the top. We would suggest holding off until the stack has been inspected, and having the flue swept and checked by a qualified chimney sweep before lighting a fire.
Can you add a cowl to a gas fire flue?
A gas appliance needs a terminal or cowl that suits it. We will ask what appliance is connected and fit an appropriate one. If there is any doubt about the appliance or flue, a Gas Safe registered engineer should check it.
My extension has made the roof different around the chimney. Is that a problem?
Sometimes. Where an extension or new roof meets a stack, the lead and the way water runs can change. If damp has appeared since building work, the junction is one of the first places we check.