5.051 Google reviews5.0 on Yell from 213 ratings
Chimney rebuilds in Brighton, built back straight
When a stack leans, cracks right through or sheds bricks, a chimney rebuild in Brighton is the safe fix, taken down to sound brickwork and built back straight. There is no deposit to pay, and every rebuild is fully guaranteed.
Price your chimney rebuild
Pick the job. It takes about 30 seconds.
Or call 01273 115938. No deposit, no call-out charge.
5.0 on Google51 reviews, all 5 stars
5.0 on Yellfrom 213 ratings
Expert Roofer VerifiedEvery check passed, see our profileWhen repair is no longer enough
These signs point past repointing and towards a rebuild.
A visible lean
A stack that tilts, even slightly, has lost its strength. Sulphate attack or years of wind load have pushed it off line, and it only gets worse.
Cracks through the bricks
Cracks running through the bricks, not just the mortar, show the stack is moving. Repointing will not hold together a structure that is splitting apart.
Top courses that rock
If the top few courses shift when pressed, the mortar has failed right through. Those bricks need taking down before a gale does it for you.
Brick faces blown away
Frost has blown the faces off the bricks, leaving soft, crumbling cores behind. There is nothing left for new pointing to hold on to.
Storm or impact damage
A falling branch or a severe gale can crack or dislodge a stack. We make it safe first, then rebuild it properly once the weather allows.
Down to sound brick, back up straight
With scaffold up and the roof protected, we take the stack down brick by brick to the point where the brickwork is sound again, which is often at or just below the roofline. Pots come off first, then the flaunching, then each course by hand, lowered safely rather than thrown down. Any bricks worth saving are cleaned and set aside for the rebuild, so the stack still looks like it belongs to the house.
At the roofline we fit a new lead tray across the stack, a damp proof course that stops rain soaking down through the brickwork into your rooms. The chimney is then built back plumb with matching bricks and the right mortar, the flues kept open and lined up, and finished with new flaunching, pots or caps and fresh lead flashing where it meets the roof. We check each course with a level as we go.
- Stack taken down by hand
- Good bricks cleaned and reused
- New lead tray at the roofline
- Rebuilt plumb with matching bricks
- New flaunching, pots or caps
- Fresh lead flashing to finish
Rebuilding chimneys on Sussex period houses
Many of the tallest stacks in Brighton and Hove belong to Victorian and Edwardian houses that burned coal for generations. The sulphates in coal smoke soaked into the mortar, which swells as it reacts with rain and pushes the stack out of true. That is why leaning chimneys are such a familiar sight along the terraces. In conservation areas, a rebuild should look exactly like the original, so we match brick colour, size and bond and reuse the old pots when they are sound. Listed house? Speak to the council before work starts.
Partial rebuild or full rebuild?
How far down we go depends on where the brickwork turns sound again.
Partial rebuild
We take down only the damaged top courses and rebuild them with new flaunching and pots. It suits stacks that stand straight lower down but have weather damage near the top.
Best for: Damage at the top of a straight stack
Full rebuild from the roofline
The whole stack above the roof comes down and goes back up on a new lead tray. It is the answer for leaning chimneys, cracked stacks and brickwork blown all the way down.
Best for: Leaning or cracked stacks
Reviews from real Sure Seal customers
Such a brilliant service from start to finish. Returned calls, kept in contact and the workmen were absolutely first class. Everything was left immaculately. They worked over the weekend to ensure my roof was done. It was a first class job and I recommend highly!
Brilliant service from start to finish. The team was friendly, professional, and did a great job on our roof and gutters. Everything was completed on time and to a high standard. Highly recommend Sure Seal Roofing & Guttering!
We hired Thomas based on a friends recommendation, for what was meant to be a small repair job. It turned out we needed the entire roof surface redone. SureSeal were able to start the work right away and do it all in 3 days. The work was done to a high standard, tidying up afterwards was very thorough. I would especially highlight the great communication. Thomas kept me updated about everything, answered questions and concerns and was very available.
We had an issue with a leak coming from our chimney and on getting up there realised our flat roof had been installed poorly. Brendan was so professional throughout, talking us through everything and not pressuring us to make quick decisions regarding the repair. His team were very efficient and got the job done in 2 days. Brendan kept me updated throughout the job, sending photos of the work. His team left the place spotless, even washing down the roof on completion. Having had a few quotes from some rather suspect companies, these guys are so genuine and clearly take pride in doing the job well. Would recommend and call again if needed.
I had an excellent experience with Sure Seal Roofing & Gutter Ltd from start to finish. Their team was professional, reliable, and incredibly efficient. Communication was clear throughout the entire process, and they took the time to explain everything in detail, which I really appreciated. The quality of the work exceeded my expectations they were meticulous, fast, and left everything spotless when the job was done. It’s clear they take a lot of pride in what they do, and it shows in the results. I’m very happy with the outcome and would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for trustworthy and skilled roofing professionals. Thank you again for such a great experience
If you have any roofing work or repairs to be done, then look no further than Sureseal Roofing & Guttering. I have found William and his team to be responsive & professional. They were able to address all my queries and advise wherever necessary. Most importantly their standard of finished work measured upto what had been committed, as well as my expectations of high quality. I whole-heartedly recommend their work.
What goes into a rebuild price
Three things drive a rebuild price: the height and size of the stack, how far down we need to go and the access. New or reclaimed bricks to match your house, the number of pots and flues and the amount of lead all feed into the figure. Every quote follows a free drone survey, so we price the damage we have actually seen, and you pay nothing up front.
What sets the price
- Height of the stack above the roof
- Partial or full rebuild
- Reclaimed or new matching bricks
- Number of flues and pots
- Lead tray and flashing
- Scaffold for the stack and roof
No surprises: the price on your written quote is the price you pay. No deposit.
From your call to a finished job
Tell us what's wrong
Tap the problem, fill in the short form or call Jamie. We respond fast, and emergencies get a call-out 24/7.
Free drone survey
We put a drone over the roof and show you the photos, so you see exactly what we see.
Fixed written quote
One price for the job that's actually needed. No deposit and no call-out charge.
Done and cleared
We do the work, take every bit of waste away and leave the place spotless.
Chimney rebuilds questions
When does a chimney need rebuilding instead of repairing?
When the stack is leaning, cracked through the bricks, or loose in the top courses. Repointing only works on brickwork that is sound and straight. If frost has blown the brick faces away or the mortar has failed right through, fresh pointing has nothing to grip, and the stack stays unsafe. Our drone photos show you which side of that line your chimney sits on.
Why is my chimney leaning?
On older houses, the main cause is sulphate attack. Years of coal and wood smoke leave sulphates in the mortar, which react with moisture and expand, and the side that stays wettest swells most, tipping the stack. Wind load and failing mortar add to it. A leaning chimney never straightens out on its own; it needs taking down and rebuilding.
Can you reuse the original chimney bricks?
Yes, when they are sound. We knock the old mortar off good bricks as we take the stack down and set them aside for the rebuild, which gives the closest colour match. Bricks with blown faces or cracks get replaced with reclaimed or new bricks chosen to match. On period houses, keeping the original look matters, and reusing bricks is the best way to do it.
Do you replace the pots and lead during a rebuild?
Yes. A rebuild is the time to get everything right, so the chimney goes back with new flaunching, pots or caps to suit flues in use or capped, and new lead flashing where it meets the roof. We also fit a lead tray at the roofline to keep rain out of the brickwork below. Sound original pots go back on if you want to keep the look.
Can a chimney be rebuilt shorter than before?
Yes. If the stack is taller than it needs to be, we can rebuild it lower, which cuts the wind load and future maintenance. Flues still in use need enough height to draw properly, so we check that first. If your house is listed or in a conservation area, check with the council before changing the height.
Chimney leaning or losing bricks?
Call us before the next storm and we will make it safe, then quote the rebuild.