Week begining 16th March 2026
Another full week on the tools across Nottinghamshire and beyond,this one packed with chimney repairs, leak investigations, flashing work, and a full chimney removal, all carried out using specialist high-access equipment.
From Mapperley to Worksop, Sherwood to Basford, it’s been a proper demonstration of what goes into professional chimney repair in Nottinghamshire, not just fixing symptoms, but solving problems properly at source.
Monday – Chimney Repair in Mapperley, Nottingham
The week kicked off in Mapperley with a straightforward but essential chimney job.
This involved repointing and re-flaunching a chimney to restore it to a watertight condition. The existing flaunching was removed where it had deteriorated, and new flaunching was installed to ensure water runs away from the chimney pots correctly. The brickwork was also ground out and repointed to seal any potential entry points for water.
It’s not flashy, but it prevents leaks, structural damage, and much bigger problems later on.
Tuesday – Chimney Leak Investigation in Worksop & Flashing Repair in Mansfield
Tuesday started in Worksop investigating a persistent chimney leak.
After stripping back tiles behind the chimney to expose the back gutter and leadwork, it became clear the issue wasn’t the flashing it was failed pointing allowing water ingress.
Repointed the rear of the chimney, reinstated everything correctly, and resolved the issue at source.
From there, I headed to Mansfield to deal with a slipped flashing on a chimney. This was a smaller job but still critical, loose flashing is one of the most common causes of roof leaks.
Back home, I was greeted with a parcel from the Roofing Outlaw, Rowan Hybrid Polymer (perfect timing) and a woolly hat that will definitely see more use next winter.
A quick stop in Halloughton near Southwell at HTV Vehicle Solutions to collect spare trailer tyres, and I’m now fully prepared for the next inevitable roadside drama.
The day wrapped up with Cubs science night.
Volcano experiment results: underwhelming.
Crowd reaction: outstanding.
Wednesday – High-Access Roofing in Sherwood & Valley Repairs in Syston
Wednesday was all about height and access.
First stop was Syston Leicestershire, working alongside Dave from Wrights Roofing on a three-storey building. We carried out gutter clearance and a leaking valley repair, which had been allowing water into one of the flats.
On taller buildings, safe and controlled access is critical not just for efficiency, but for doing the job properly.
Next stop was Sherwood (Mansfield Road) Nottingham, where I attended a chimney leak on a tall three-storey property, right on the limit of the machine’s reach.
Previous attempts to fix the issue involved expanding foam from inside the loft. As expected, this hadn’t worked.
The correct approach was external:
• repositioning and securing the lead flashing
• repointing the chimney where water was getting in
Leak resolved properly.
Job’s a fish.
Thursday – Full Chimney Overhaul in Worksop
Thursday was a full-scale chimney job in Worksop with Tomek.
This wasn’t a patch repair, it was a complete overhaul:
• mortar joints ground out to 30mm depth
• full repointing to restore structural integrity
• removal and replacement of chimney pots
• installation of new cowls
• new flaunching installed to protect the chimney crown
• gutter clearance
• minor slate repairs
This is a perfect example of comprehensive
👉 chimney repair and maintenance in Nottinghamshire
Rather than chasing individual issues, everything was addressed in one go ensuring long-term performance.
A long, physically demanding day, but the kind of job that leaves you knowing it’s been done properly.
Kit held up well too especially the gear from
👉 https://www.graniteworkwear.com/?afid=danny
Friday – Chimney Removal in Basford Using High-Access Equipment
Friday was an absolute graft.
We stopped at the “chicken shed” on the way to pick up equipment, including a large canvas funnel I’d previously struggled to use effectively.
This time, with Tomek managing things on the ground, it worked perfectly allowing us to safely channel debris into a bin below.
We also collected timber boards to protect a newly laid patio, an essential step when carrying out heavy work like this.
On site in Basford, we:
• manoeuvred the machine into the rear garden
• dismantled the chimney stack brick by brick
• managed debris safely using the funnel system
• reinstated the roof to a fully watertight condition
This is where combining traditional roofing skills with modern access equipment really comes into its own
If you’ve ever wondered what a real chimney removal looks like in practice (minus the glamorous bits), it’s somewhere along these lines:
https://youtu.be/k917IvSGVhU
Finished the day unloading the van, because the job isn’t done until everything’s put away.
Roofing Insight – Why Chimney Leaks Are So Common
Chimney leaks are one of the most common roofing issues across Nottinghamshire and they’re often misdiagnosed.
The main causes include:
• failed mortar joints (pointing)
• loose or incorrectly installed lead flashing
• cracked or missing flaunching
• water tracking in from behind the chimney
The key principle is simple:
Water must be stopped externally at the point of entry.
Internal fixes like expanding foam or sealants might temporarily slow the problem but they rarely solve it.
Proper chimney repair in Nottinghamshire always involves identifying and fixing the issue on the outside of the property.
Locations Worked This Week
This week’s work took place across:
• Mapperley (Nottingham) – Chimney repointing and flaunching
• Worksop – Chimney leak repair and full overhaul
• Mansfield – Flashing repair
• Sherwood (Nottingham) – High-access chimney repair
• Syston (Leicestershire) – Gutter clearance and valley repair
• Basford (Nottingham) – Chimney removal and roof reinstatement
• Halloughton (near Southwell) – Trailer maintenance
Wrapping Up the Week
A proper mix this week, leak investigations, full chimney rebuild work, high-access repairs, and a full removal to finish.
It’s a good reminder that roofing isn’t just about fixing what you can see, it’s about understanding how water behaves and dealing with it properly.
Also confirmed this week:
• Expanding foam is not a roofing solution
• Funnels work, if someone competent is on the ground
• Volcano experiments are best judged by the kids, not the results
About the Author
This blog is compiled and published by Danny Iwanejko, also known as Dan the Cherry Picker Man, who runs DJI High Access Services Ltd.
Danny specialises in roof repairs, chimney repairs, and high-access roofing work across Nottinghamshire, using spider cherry pickers to safely reach areas that would otherwise be difficult or dangerous to access.
His work is documented online, sharing real-world roofing challenges, solutions, and day-to-day life in the trade.
Keep Up With Dan the Cherry Picker Man
🌐 Website: www.dji-uk.co.uk
🎥 YouTube: @dan_cherrypicker_man
🎵 TikTok: @dan_cherrypicker_man
📸 Instagram: @dan_cherrypicker_man
👍 Facebook: Dan the Cherry Picker Man
Google Business page: dji high access services – Google Search
Amazon shop:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/danthecherrypickerman?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_0H3MM4YGDVAPRTXQJAYV_1
By the time we’d finished bringing that chimney down in Basford, everything was covered in dust, muck, and bits of mortar but my workwear from
👉 Granite Workwear
handled it better than most people would. Proper gear for proper graft.
