Ta-da, finished product (carpet is being replaced and decoration will follow) 

Re-built, re-pointed, new flaunch and neighbouring stack capped and vented with a ridge tile. P. Cottrell -1 Jackdaws -0. We take our mortar mixes very seriously, a lot of the problems we come across in relation to the tops of chimneys are to do with the original builders using weak cement/lime/sand mixes.

Bricks carefully removed and numbered. We took the brickwork down one course then proceeded to re-build it with galvanised brick reinforcement wire sections. This helps to hold the chimney together. We also removed the fluffy, weak dusty mortar from the courses below and re-pointed the stack...ready for the next 50 years!!  

Initial rip out revealed this original arch (keeper!)  

Sealed up and we’re ready for lining.

Light test....and we’re clear.  

Jackdaws took advantage of this uncapped chimney. Sweeps had failed to unblock the chimney as such a breakout was necessary (this is a problem which we often have to address).  

My plasterer did an excellent job of ‘exposing’ the arch.  

Here is a common problem we come across. This chimney was falling to pieces, very often we are the first people to touch the stack for 50 years. There is only one (responsible) way to deal with this.....re-build it.