Over time, brick chimneys can become weak and unstable, meaning that components such as chimney cowls may need to be assessed for safety reasons.
There are several ways to complete brick chimney repairs without seeking professional help, according to a leading self-help website.
Do It Yourself has said that the best way to identify damage to brick chimneys is to firstly ensure that the chimney is clean and free of debris. Homeowners should also be wary of pieces that are liable to fall from the structure, such as weathered bricks.
Once this is completed, the website says that the area of disrepair should be visible to the chimney owner, who should then apply packaged mortar-mix to the region using a trowel before inserting a replacement brick that has mortar mix applied to one of its sides, after this process the brick will just require two-three days of drying.
Earlier this month, insurance firm Aviva warned British homeowners to "double check their chimneys" this winter, to avoid the prospect of damage to a house as fires are used more frequently during cold weather.