Hi

Reading through the other posts on damp chimney breasts I have a similar problem. However, I have had 3 separate tradesmen come around each with a different recommendation and quote (is ££ order)

1) Rebuilt Chimney Stacks ££££££ !
2) Refurbishment (lead, point and paint with waterproofing stuff)- Not so ££
3) Just leadwork and maybe a few bits of pointing where required..

I know its going to be difficult to give a definitive answer without actually seeing the problem, however I am a bit lost on what to do next and wondered if anyone else had this experience and what they found best.

Its a 1930s house and both stacks are open at the top, and 1 is in use downstairs. The stack not currently in use is vented on outside wall. The damp is creeping down from the upstairs ceiling and does get worse when raining..

Really appreciate any help or advice. Thanks

Can you post a pic of the chimney and roof from inside the loft.

You should be able to see water staining if the lead has gone.

_________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you feel you have benefited from the Free advice given on the Forum, Please consider making a donation to UHM's Nominated charity, read all about it and donate here :

donnas-dream-house-charity-t52110.html

Thanks, will get up in the loft and post some pictures tomorrow..

Hi Phil,

Sorry don't mean to Hijack this thread, but i have the same problem, we had the damp problem then got a new roof last winter i asked the roofer to pay special attention to the flashing as i thought it was creating the problem. He also did some re pointing on the front edge, but this was after the scaffolding had come down, so he didn't repoint the sides. Things seemed to be drying out so in the summer i painted it with stain sealer then just emulsion paint. I thought it was ok, but unfortunately this winter it has come back with a-vengeance, we do live by the coast and get a lot of weather on the side of chimney shown. A friend also capped off the pots that are not in use, being careful to leave ventilation. (But i just noticed one has come off). I'm going to try and add photos. I have been advised to coat the chimney with a water repellent, does this make any sense, if not any other ideas are much appreciated.

flashing looks good, seems like lead soakers too by the kick of them slates, my best bet would be check the flaunching on the top and spray the brickwork with a silicon weatherproofing solution, just dont get it on the slates or youll be shooting off that roof before you can say 'beloooowww'

_________________
http://www.peterborough-plasterer.co.uk/

A cowel over the top of the pots might help too!

S

Hi fellas

Thanks for the advice, I was a little worried about spraying the bricks as some people have said you shouldn't as the bricks must breath, but as I'm at a loss as to what else to do I'm gonna give it a try. I will also cap off the one pot that isn't. Thanks again much appreciated.
Tim

Chimney breasts often have problems with hygroscopic salts getting into the plaster and causing damp problems. Hacking off and rendering with added waterproofer is the only way to stop it, and this problem is often confused with a leaking roof.