--- title: "Chimney Leaking After a Storm? Here's What to Check First" description: "Chimney leak after a storm? Here's the 4 most likely causes and what to check before calling a roofer. Hertfordshire & Essex emergency cover available 24/7." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "Chimney Leak After a Storm — What to Check Before You Call", "description": "Chimney leak after a storm? Here's the 4 most likely causes and what to check before calling a roofer. Hertfordshire & Essex emergency cover available 24/7.", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://jandco-contractorsltd.co.uk/blog/chimney-leak-after-storm-what-to-do/", "datePublished": "2026-05-07", "dateModified": "2026-05-07", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jamie Pocock", "jobTitle": "Owner & Lead Contractor", "worksFor": { "@id": "https://jandco-contractorsltd.co.uk/#business" } }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "J&Co Contractors", "url": "https://jandco-contractorsltd.co.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://jandco-contractorsltd.co.uk/logo.png" } }, "image": [ "https://jandco-contractorsltd.co.uk/assets/upload-019-BqExN-Zc.jpeg" ], "articleSection": "Roofing", "keywords": "Chimney, Emergency, Storm Damage" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://jandco-contractorsltd.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://jandco-contractorsltd.co.uk/blog/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Chimney Leak After a Storm — What to Check Before You Call", "item": "https://jandco-contractorsltd.co.uk/blog/chimney-leak-after-storm-what-to-do/" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How fast can you get to an active leak?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Within 2 hours during the day for Bishop's Stortford and immediate surrounding villages, within 4 hours overnight. Temporary cover same visit; permanent repair scheduled within 5–7 days." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will my home insurance cover storm damage to a chimney?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most buildings insurance policies cover storm damage where wind speeds exceeded 55mph. We provide written reports with photos that insurers accept directly." } } ] } ] --- We use essential cookies to run this site, and optional cookies only with your consent. [Cookie policy](/cookie-policy/) AcceptReject Open 7 days · Hours vary by day · 25 years' experience [Office: 01279 216 215](tel:01279216215) | [Mobile: 07379 964569](tel:07379964569) [![J&Co Contractors logo](/assets/jandco-logo-DkXiFtbE.png)](/) Services Areas [About](/about/) [Our Work](/our-work/) [Blog](/blog/) [Reviews](/reviews/) [Contact](/contact/) [01279 216 215](tel:01279216215) [Free Quote](/contact/) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Blog](/blog/) 3. Chimney Leak After a Storm — What to Check Before You Call Roofing # Chimney Leak After a Storm — What to Check Before You Call Updated May 2026 5 min read By Jamie Pocock ![Repointed chimney stack with new lead flashing on a Hertfordshire property](/assets/upload-019-BqExN-Zc.jpeg) Chimneys are the single most common source of storm-related water entry. They sit at the highest, most exposed point of the roof and have four separate failure points — any of which lets water in during a 50+mph storm. ## The four most likely causes ### 1\. Lead flashing lifted or split The lead apron, soakers and back gutter around the chimney base are the primary seal. Storm wind can lift loose flashing edges; expansion over the years splits old lead. Look for shiny lifted edges or visible cracks. ### 2\. Failed pointing on the stack Sand-and-cement joints over 30 years old erode in driving rain. The whole stack acts like a sponge — soaks water in horizontally during the storm, then transfers it down through internal brickwork to bedroom ceilings. ### 3\. Cracked or missing pot, broken cowl If the pot is cracked or the cowl/flaunching has come off, water enters straight down the flue and shows internally as staining beside the chimney breast. ### 4\. Cracked flaunching (the mortar bed around the pot) Hairline cracks in the flaunching let water sit inside the top of the stack. Freeze-thaw widens the cracks every winter. ## What to check from the ground - Photograph the chimney with maximum zoom from the front, side and rear of the property - Look for missing pots, leaning stacks, vegetation in joints, visible cracks - Inside, photograph every patch of ceiling staining beside the chimney breast - Check the loft for tide marks on rafters near the chimney ## Don't try to access the stack yourself Chimney work is the highest-risk part of any roof. We use scaffolding or proper tower access on every chimney job — never ladders directly to a stack. If you've got an active leak, our [emergency roof team](/emergency-roof-repairs/) covers Hertfordshire and Essex 24/7 with same-day temporary weather-tight cover. ## Permanent fixes Depending on cause: re-lead the flashings, rake out and [repoint the stack](/chimney-repairs-repointing/), replace cracked pots, re-cap the flaunching. Most full chimney refurbs sit at £900–£1,800 with scaffolding included, and last 25+ years. Chimney Emergency Storm Damage FAQs ## Frequently asked questions ### How fast can you get to an active leak? ### Will my home insurance cover storm damage to a chimney? ## Active leak right now? Call 07379 964569 — we cover Hertfordshire and Essex 24/7 for emergency weather-tight cover. Permanent repair scheduled within the week. [Emergency roof repairs](/emergency-roof-repairs/) [01279 216 215](tel:01279216215) More from the blog ## Keep reading [ ![Pitched tile roof inspection on a Hertfordshire home before winter](/assets/wa-435-169-BMBPQKLs.jpeg) Roofing ### Winter Roof Checklist: 12 Things Every Hertfordshire Homeowner Should Check Before December The 12 things that cause 90% of winter roof leaks in Hertfordshire — and how to spot them in 20 minutes from the ground. Read article ](/blog/winter-roof-checklist-hertfordshire/)[ ![EPDM flat roof replacement on a domestic extension in Bishop's Stortford](/assets/wa-435-47-C__F_29U.jpeg) Roofing ### 5 Signs Your Flat Roof Needs Replacing — Not Just Patching When patch repairs stop being economic. Five visible signs that a full flat roof replacement is the right call. Read article ](/blog/how-to-tell-if-your-flat-roof-needs-replacing/)[ ![Gutter cleaning on a Hertfordshire semi-detached home](/assets/upload-009-DFap0EVo.jpeg) Maintenance ### What Blocked Gutters Actually Cost You — and Why a £120 Clean Saves £6,000 Later The maths on what blocked gutters cause downstream — and the simple annual habit that prevents all of it. Read article ](/blog/blocked-gutters-real-cost/) ![J&Co Contractors](/assets/jandco-logo-DkXiFtbE.png) Owner-led roofing and building contractors covering Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire and Essex. 25 years of hands-on trade experience. Open seven days. 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