During a survey, the surveyor will be inspecting the chimney from the ground level. This means any issues they can identify with the chimney from either the front or back of the house will be noted in the report.
Like most parts of the property, these issues can range from minor to serious with a whole range of causes.
What parts of the chimney are most common for issues?
Most people have never really taken a close look at a chimney stack before and so there may be some phrases and names for parts which you have not encountered.
Although there are many parts which make up a chimney, the most common to show up on a report are as follows.
Stack: This is the main structure of the chimney which you can see. It is usually a brick or render finish.
This stack is support by a much bigger structure below which goes right down through your house and onto the foundations.
Flashing: This is the material that is used to create a waterproof seal around the base of the chimney where it meets the roof. The purpose of flashing is to prevent water from seeping into the roof structure and causing damage to the roof and the interior of the building. It is an essential component of roofing and chimney construction to ensure a leak-free and safe roof.
Chimney Pot: This is the cylindrical piece that fits on top of a chimney. It is there to increase its height, improve draft which draws the smoke out, and prevent rain, and debris from entering the chimney. They also can add aesthetic appeal to a building and you can see some pretty fancy chimney pots around, especially on older buildings.
Crown: The crown is what covers the top of the chimney. It is commonly a cement finish on top of some brickwork, but it there can be various designs.
Limitations of a Survey
As the surveyor can not get onto the roof or climb a ladder to inspect the chimney, they are relying on what they can see from ground level. This means that some parts of the chimney may not be visible. This includes the top of the crown, inside the pot/flue and some sides of the chimney.
Because of this, it is possible that there is damage to the chimney which is hidden from view. As such, we always recommend that anyone buying a property has the chimney cleaned and inspected before use.
If you are sale agreed and need to book your survey, just go GetHouseSurvey.ie and click on "Get Survey Now".
We were Ireland's most reviewed surveyor in 2022 and we have a panel of the best surveyors in the country conducting the most thorough and detailed reports.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us on info@gethousesurvey.ie