From quiet Sunday starts to industry-level access… and a few unexpected visitors along the way
Some weeks are steady.
Some weeks are chaos.
And then there are weeks like this one, where you cover half the Midlands, fix just about every type of roof problem going, test a brand-new spider lift, and still somehow end up in Tesco on a Saturday wondering how it all happened.
This was one of those weeks.
Sunday – Nottingham (Ilkeston Road)
Sunday mornings are reserved for jobs that need a bit of peace and quiet and this one fit the bill perfectly.
Up early and on site for 8am, I was working on a tall building on Ilkeston Road, carrying out a full chimney re-flaunch. The existing flaunching had completely failed, so it all had to come off before being replaced properly.
In, out, and packed away by 10:30am, job’s a fish.
Monday – Mansfield
Monday was a full day of chimney maintenance in Mansfield, with two chimneys needing attention and thankfully, Tomek on hand to help.
Both stacks required complete re-flaunching, but as they were no longer in use, we also:
- Removed the chimney pots
- Vented the stacks to prevent condensation and moisture build-up
- Treated the brickwork with a masonry sealant for added protection
While access was in place, I also carried out some roof repair work, replacing and repairing slates around the property.
The weather forecast from the Met Office threatened rain all day… which, for once, didn’t materialise. No complaints here.
Tuesday – Beeston
Another day, another set of chimneys this time in Beeston.
Two smaller stacks needed repointing and re-flaunching. This is the kind of work where preparation makes all the difference:
- Mortar joints ground out to around 30mm
- Brickwork dampened down properly
- Fresh mortar worked deep into the joints
- New flaunching installed to shed water effectively
It’s not glamorous work, but it’s the difference between a repair that lasts a year… and one that lasts a decade.
That evening, it was Cubs night, litter picking around the village. A slightly different kind of clean-up, but just as important.
Wednesday – Derby → Leicester → Wilford
Wednesday was one of those days where you feel like you’ve done a week’s work before lunch.
Derby – Leak Investigation
After battling rush hour traffic for the best part of 90 minutes, I arrived at a three-storey block of flats with a persistent leak.
The culprit? A heavily blocked valley filled with vegetation, combined with failed pointing.
Once cleared and repointed, the valley could actually do its job again moving water safely off the roof instead of into the building.
Leicester – With Victus Roofing
Next stop: Leicester, working alongside the lads from Victus Roofing on student accommodation.
Accessing the job meant tracking the machine through an archway, round the back, and up-and-over onto the roof, exactly the kind of scenario where accessing roofs safely using a cherry picker comes into its own.
We:
- Fixed multiple slipped slates
- Diagnosed a leak around a roof window
The cause turned out to be a single poorly placed screw during installation. One tiny mistake… big consequences. Sealed up using hybrid polymer and problem solved.
On the way out, we also removed a loose slate sitting in a gutter four storeys up, just waiting for the right gust of wind to drop it onto something (or someone) below.
And as if that wasn’t enough, I was presented with a brand-new woolly hat from the lads. The collection grows. I’m starting to think I need a dedicated shelf… or a museum.
Wilford – Valley & Guttering Repairs
Back into Nottingham, this time Wilford, where a leak at the top of a valley was tracking all the way down into a flat below.
We:
- Installed a lead saddle at the ridge/valley junction
- Repointed key areas
- Repaired surrounding tiles
Then, just around the corner, a quick professional gutter clearance job, missing stop end and bracket, accessed via a narrow, bumpy path.
A proper mixed bag of problem-solving.
Thursday – Ravenshead
Thursday kicked off a bigger, two-day job on a large property in Ravenshead.
The original complaint?
Crows entering the property via four open chimney pots.
Not ideal.
But during the survey, it became clear the chimney had bigger issues:
- Failing pointing
- Almost non-existent flaunching
- Multiple broken tiles
Day one was dedicated to fully repointing the chimney, a big job on a large stack, and not something to rush.
Friday – West Sussex (CMC Visit)
Friday was something completely different and definitely a highlight of the week.
A 4:30am start saw me heading down to West Sussex to visit CMC, where I was invited by Russell Woodward to test one of the very first CMC S20 spider lifts in the UK.
After a full walkthrough and training session, I was let loose to properly put the machine through its paces and I filmed the entire thing.
It’s not every day you get hands-on with brand-new kit like that, and it was a brilliant opportunity to learn more about both the machine and the industry.
The day finished with a meal and a long chat with Russell, engineer Pete, and Caroline Woodward, talking all things access.
A long day (and a long drive home), but absolutely worth it.
Saturday – Back to Ravenshead
No rest just yet back to Ravenshead to finish what I started.
Before heading out, I swapped out some old, rotten boards I use for access with the machine, one of those behind-the-scenes jobs that keeps everything running smoothly.
Back on site, I:
- Completed the chimney re-flaunch
- Replaced and repaired multiple roof tiles
The crow problem? Sorted.
The chimney? Properly restored.
And just like that, it was time to head home for the traditional Saturday trip to Tesco, arguably the most dangerous environment of the week.
🛠️ Roofing Insight of the Week
Why do valleys cause so many leaks?
Roof valleys handle a huge volume of water, especially during heavy rain. If they become blocked with debris or if the pointing around them fails, water can’t flow away properly. Instead, it backs up or finds its way under tiles and into the property.
Regular maintenance, clearing debris and ensuring sound pointing, is essential to prevent costly internal damage.
👕 On Site This Week
Working at height in all conditions means decent gear matters. My kit is supplied by Granite Workwear — hard-wearing, comfortable, and built for days like this.
👉 https://www.graniteworkwear.com/?afid=danny
Locations Worked This Week
- Nottingham (Ilkeston Road) – Chimney re-flaunch
- Mansfield – Chimney maintenance and roof repairs
- Beeston – Chimney repointing and flaunching
- Derby – Leak diagnosis and valley repair
- Leicester – Roof repairs and Velux leak fix
- Wilford (Nottingham) – Valley repair and guttering work
- Ravenshead – Full chimney restoration and tile repairs
- West Sussex – CMC spider lift testing and review
Final Thoughts
This week had a bit of everything, early starts, long drives, tricky leaks, big chimney work, and even a day testing brand-new machinery.
It’s weeks like this that really show the variety in the job. No two days are ever the same and that’s exactly why I enjoy it.
Now… a day off. Well earned.
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 roofing and chimney repairs using high-access solutions, including spider cherry pickers, and documents real-world trade work across Nottinghamshire and beyond.
Keep Up With Dan the Cherry Picker Man
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