Pros and Cons of Removing Your Chimney
Chimney stacks have been an integral feature of our roofs for centuries, but most are now redundant as central heating has become the norm. Some people choose to take their chimney stack down, simplifying their roofline and making maintenance easier.
However, removing your stack, the bit of your chimney visible above the roof level can be a big and expensive job. Before you make a decision, it is worth considering the pros and cons of removing a chimney.
Three great reasons to remove your chimney
Save on maintenance costs
Chimney stacks need to be well maintained. Crumbling brickwork and mortar could cause leaks or worse. An unstable chimney stack could fall and cause damage to your property and potentially to life. Removing the stack means that the costs of inspections and repairs can be avoided in the future.
Simplify your roofline
Removing chimney stacks can make a building look more contemporary and give a cleaner, sleeker appearance to your roofline.
You could make better use of your simplified roofline and the extra space up there by installing solar panels to reduce your energy costs.
Make better use of space
Many people choose to remove not just the chimney stack but the chimney breast that often runs up the whole height of a building. Doing this requires a specialist builder, but it could create valuable extra space on all the floors of your home, from the cellar to the attic.
Three equally good reasons to keep your chimney
Maintain the original appearance of your home
Chimney stacks are architectural features that are part of the historical character of buildings, and removing them may affect the overall aesthetic of your home. If you live in a protected period property or a conservation area, you may be prohibited from making such a dramatic change to the appearance of your home.
Preserve your property’s value
Potential buyers of your home may be chimney stack fans who prefer the original design of your house. A lack of stacks could decrease the value of your property.
Any significant change to the structural integrity of a building, like removing a chimney stack or chimney breast, must be done by qualified experts. A bodge job will have an impact on your home’s resale value.
Retain the functionality of your fireplace
Open coal fires may be a thing of the past, but many homeowners love their wood-burning stoves. Removing the chimney deprives future owners of a flue for their stoves and of the opportunity for a cosy fire. Homes with working chimneys have an advantage during power strikes or outages, as homeowners can use their fire for warmth.
So the decision to take down the chimney stacks from your roof or even your entire chimney breast involves weighing various factors, including aesthetics, maintenance considerations, structural issues and the consequences of your design when you come to sell your property in the future.
With or without chimneys we can keep your roof in excellent condition when you use our roof refurbishment and cleaning service.
Contact Improve a Roof for all your roof issues
Without the right equipment and experience, it can be dangerous for homeowners to get up on their roofs to check the condition of their chimney stack. It is always best to leave hazardous jobs to the professionals.
We provide roof cleaning and inspection services in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside, North Wales, Derbyshire, Shropshire, and Staffordshire.
Call us NOW on 0800 046 9686 for a free, no-obligation quotation.