Leaning chimney stack

[qaz_xdr]

Had a survey done on a property we are proposing to purchase and surveyor advised that one of the chimney stacks is leaning slightly inwards, visible to the naked eye but you wouldn't notice unless you specifically looked for it. We've had a couple of builders check it out but both reckon it just happened to be built that way (not necessarily on purpose) but that it isn't moving and could just do with some repointing.

I know a builder is unlikely to knock back the prospect of knocking down and rebuilding or removing the stack if it could be classed as urgent or dangerous(I'm guesisng including scaffolding probably around =A31k work from a verbal quote of someone who hadn't seen it), or(conspiracy theory) they know the agent and/or vendor and think we would use the quote to negotiate money off.

But if it only needs repointing then I'd not be bothered about negotiating and do it ourselves. Are leaning chimneys fairly common, and more to the point, is it safe just to repoint and leave as is? The surveyor didn't say it looked dangerous, just to check it out.

Thanks

[Christian McArdle]

Pretty standard, I would think. I had something similar on my survey (1909 mid terrace). I had a brickie over anyway doing some other work (reconfiguring the fireplace in the kitchen) and got him to take a look. He point blank refused to do anything to it as he said it was fine and fixing it was a waste of time. All academic now, as the chimney was removed during the loft conversion.

Christian.

[Phil L]

You've checked it out and it's been confirmed that it requires re-pointing, tell the surveyor this and that's the end of it, whether you choose to point it or not is up to you.