Chimney & Fireplace

Should I remove the chimney stack or repair the lead flashing?

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.05 PM

I live in the first (top) floor of a 1950s maisonette. I noticed water stains on the wall of my sitting room and found out that the rain water comes in through the roof against an old chimney stack. As there is no chimney in the room, I did not realise there was a chimney stack until I looked from the outside. The chimney stack is close to the window rather than in the middle of the room where the fireplace is supposed to be. It seems to me that the lead flashing has separated from the chimney stack as I can see light coming through against the chimney stack in the loft. As the chimney has no use, is it better to remove the chimney stack to below the roof level or is it cheaper to repair the lead flashing instead? I don’t think the chimney plays any structure role (I could be wrong of course). As the chimney stack is close to the window, is it possible to carry out the work without scaffolding? Do I need planning permission to remove the chimney stack? Can the chimney stack cause other problems in future if it is left there? Thanks for your help