There are weeks where everything goes exactly to plan…
…and then there are weeks like this one.
It started quietly enough no alarms, no early call-outs, just a rare Sunday off with the family. But by the time Saturday rolled around, I’d covered everything from storm-damaged roofs and tight-access chimney work to a full-blown DIY disaster courtesy of a previous homeowner’s questionable flooring choices.
Standard week, really.
A Proper Reset in the Derbyshire Dales
Sunday was exactly what it needed to be, a reset.
We headed over to Chatsworth House for the day, and if you’ve ever been, you’ll know it’s a far cry from most of the rooftops I spend my time on. Plenty of walking, a bit of time in the farm park, and letting the kids burn off energy while I attempted to do as little as possible.
From there, into Bakewell, where we accidentally timed it perfectly with a food fair. Ice cream was consumed, far more food than planned was eaten, and all in all, a solid day.
Evening plans involved watching Frozen with Rob… or at least that was the idea. I attempted a quick nap on the sofa, but Wren (16 months, zero respect for tired tradesmen) had other plans and repeatedly introduced my head to a wicker basket.
A gentle reminder that Monday was coming.
City Centre Flues and Solar Panel Pigeons
Monday started in the heart of Nottingham, tucked away in a hidden courtyard next to Nottingham Castle, one of those places you wouldn’t even realise existed unless you were working there.
The job? Remove an old flue and make good the slate roof.
Simple.
Except it wasn’t.
What looked like a standard removal turned into a bit of a battle. The flue was far larger and more stubborn than expected, but after breaking it down carefully and protecting the surrounding slates, it came out cleanly and the roof was re-tiled and left watertight.
From there, straight over to Mansfield Woodhouse to install bird mesh around solar panels, a classic preventative job. Once pigeons get under there, they don’t leave, and the mess builds up quickly. A full perimeter mesh install sorted that properly.
Two jobs, completely different, both requiring the right approach.
When Builders Get It Wrong (And You Have to Put It Right)
Tuesday took me out to Yoxall, near Burton-on-Trent, about an hour and a half each way.
Two neighbouring properties, two chimneys, same issue.
Despite being relatively modern houses, the flaunching on both stacks had completely failed. Poor mix, poor finish, and no real longevity from day one. It had simply wasted away.
The upside? There wasn’t much left to remove.
Once cleaned back, both chimneys were re-flaunched properly using a durable mix designed to shed water and protect the stack long-term, exactly how it should’ve been done in the first place.
That job wrapped up early enough for something far more important, Charlie’s 19th birthday. An all-you-can-eat buffet in Nottingham followed, and I’ll be honest… I probably got my money’s worth.
Cubs night took a back seat for once. No regrets.
Big Chimneys and Tight Access in Mapperley
Wednesday and Thursday were dominated by a larger job in Mapperley.
Two large chimneys:
- full re-flaunching
- extensive repointing
- multiple tile replacements
And, as always, access was half the job.
The front stack was straightforward enough, but the rear required narrowing the machine down and carefully tracking it through a tight gate into the back garden. Anyone who’s worked with a spider lift will know, getting in is often harder than the work itself.
The Platform Basket 1890 Pro handled it perfectly.
Wednesday was all about preparation:
- grinding out joints
- removing failed material
- installing new flaunching
Thursday was the finish:
- repointing using a lime-based mix
- striking joints cleanly
- ensuring consistency and weather protection
No rushing, no cutting corners just steady, methodical work.
And then, of course, getting the machine back out… which takes just as much care as getting it in.
Storm Damage and Preventative Repairs
Friday brought more storm-related work, starting in Alfreton.
Two ridge tiles had been blown clean off a very tall roof. At that height, it’s not a ladder job the cherry picker was essential.
Once up there, it became clear there were a few more loose tiles waiting to cause problems. So rather than just replacing what had already failed, I dealt with the lot preventing the next call-out before it happens.
From there, over to West Bridgford, where chimney flashings had blown out of the brickwork.
Reset, secured with hall clips, and sealed using Rowan hybrid polymer a solid, watertight repair.
Back home, and finally a long overdue tip run. You know the one… bits of debris that have been living in the van far longer than they should.
Then onto something just as important as the work itself: maintaining the machine.
Noticed the boom starting to squeal on retraction, so spent a couple of hours:
- cleaning chains
- clearing debris
- checking for any pipe contact
Look after your equipment, and it looks after you.
From Tesco to Chimneys to Total Chaos
Saturday started with a mission-critical job, Tesco in Mansfield.
Early start, in and out efficiently, because the next stop was Newark to help Richard Cox drop a chimney liner.
As always with Richard, smooth, efficient, no drama. Job done exactly as it should be.
Back to base… and then onto what was meant to be a quick bit of DIY at one of our rental properties.
Leaking bath plug. Simple fix.
Or so I thought.
Once the flooring came up, it revealed vinyl laid over laminate which had soaked up water and had no way of drying. The result? Damp, mould, and a full strip-out.
What should’ve been a quick repair turned into ripping out most of the bathroom.
The joys of being a landlord.
Finished the day with a bit of football with Rob, some editing, and a proper family games night with Granny Ralph and Grumps.
Roofing Insight – Why Chimney Flaunching Fails
One thing that stood out this week was how often chimney flaunching fails prematurely.
In most cases, it comes down to:
- incorrect sand and cement ratios
- poor compaction
- lack of weather protection during curing
- or simply bad workmanship
When flaunching fails, it allows water to penetrate the top of the chimney stack, leading to:
- internal damp
- frost damage
- deterioration of brickwork and mortar
Properly installed flaunching should:
- shed water away from the pot
- be dense and well-compacted
- bond correctly to the chimney
It’s a small detail that plays a big role in the long-term health of a roof.
If you’re unsure about the condition of your chimney, a professional roof inspection and report can identify issues early before they become costly repairs.
The Bigger Picture – Access Matters
This week reinforced something I see time and time again:
The quality of a repair is only as good as the access you have.
Whether it’s:
- removing a flue safely
- working on a tall ridge
- or accessing a chimney over a rear garden
Using the right equipment makes all the difference.
That’s exactly why I use a spider lift, it allows me to carry out safe, precise and efficient roof repairs without compromising on quality.
If you’re dealing with awkward access or hard-to-reach areas, take a look at my cherry picker access solutions here:
https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/cherry-picker-hire
Locations Worked This Week
- Nottingham (City Centre) – Flue removal and slate roof repair
- Mansfield Woodhouse – Solar panel bird mesh installation
- Yoxall (Burton-on-Trent area) – Chimney re-flaunching
- Mapperley – Chimney repointing, re-flaunching and tile replacement
- Alfreton – Ridge tile replacement (storm damage)
- West Bridgford – Chimney flashing repair
- Newark – Chimney liner installation support
Do you have concerns about your roof, chimney or a persistent leak?
I offer two levels of professional inspection:
- Targeted Roof Inspection — £100 + VAT
- Full Roof Condition Survey — £250 + VAT
These surveys are carried out across Nottinghamshire and surrounding areas (within roughly 1.5 hours of North Nottinghamshire), and are designed to properly diagnose issues before any work is carried out.
If you’re further afield, I can often provide a quotation based on clear photos and details.
Find out more here:
https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/roof-surveys
About the Author
This blog is compiled and published by Danny Iwanejko, a roofing and high-access specialist based in Nottinghamshire.
Through DJI High Access Services, Danny carries out real-world roof and chimney work using specialist access equipment, while documenting the realities of life on the tools from straightforward repairs to complex access challenges.
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: DJI High Access Services
Amazon Shop: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/danthecherrypickerman?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_0H3MM4YGDVAPRTXQJAYV_1
Workwear That Keeps Up
A quick mention for the gear I’m wearing on these jobs my workwear is sponsored by Granite Workwear.
When you’re working at height, moving around roofs, in and out of the basket all day, you quickly realise how important decent clothing is. It needs to be:
- comfortable
- hard-wearing
- practical
…and most importantly, it needs to last.
I’ve been using Granite Workwear for a while now and it’s genuinely solid kit — built for trades, not just made to look the part.
If you want to check them out, you can use my affiliate link here:
👉 https://www.graniteworkwear.com/?afid=danny
