Chimney breast damp

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 179 (members: 0, guests: 179)

Share this page

Status
Not open for further replies.
plasterjfe

plasterjfe

Private Member
I know stacks and breasts can be problematic when damp is concerned and I just wonder if you damp lads have any causes or tell tale scenarios that are common with breasts upstairs and down.

I have a job to look at but dont want to get the client spending un-neccessarrily if it wont fix the problems.

they say it is penetrating damp upstairs, as far as I know a surveyor from the mortgage company has had a look but it sounds like he was box ticking to me and probably doesnt know s88t about it as he never even looked on the roof or at the stack or went near a ladder. so they cant advise remedy if they dont even know where the problem is.

its solid wall construction but condensation damp has been dismissed as far as I know.

cheers in advance
 
Yes I have already set that ball rolling hopefully it will be an area he is familiar with

I'm using The Plasterers Forum Mobile App
 
surveyors know jack **** about Damp. But if ya get a roofer in get him to check the pointing on the stack. Is the chimney still in use? is it vented if its not and is the chimney capped.

Start with the easy/obvious stuff 1st marra
 
Will ask all the above artist. Should it be vented if in use or not in use?? I think it is use with a gas fire but will probably have been built with use of coal originally.

I'm using The Plasterers Forum Mobile App
 
i tend to find people block up fireplaces and dont vent them and dont capped the top of the chimney which causes problems. If its still in use it should be ok
 
Ive seen a few of these lately. more often than not its the lead flashing/valleys. But like theyve said above check the render/pointing and weather its in use or capped off.

I'm using The Plasterers Forum Mobile App
 
Will the chimney be double skin construction or possibly thicker in parts

I'm using The Plasterers Forum Mobile App
 
Can't add much to that if it is a void with both ends blocked it is always gonna be cold and damp and the moisture has to go somewhere and it's the bottom of the chimney.
 
Damp and salts are part and parcel of chimneys, as above if not in use needs to be vented and capped from rain but allowed to breathe, surveyors at this present time are been over zealous, they will point out every minuscule thing and offer it up as a brilliant discovery whereas its really just part and parcel of any house especially concerning period properties, you could hack off and float with dri- coat or such like,if it has been plastered with bonding or such like it will retain any moisture..
 
flynnyman said:
Can't add much to that if it is a void with both ends blocked it is always gonna be cold and damp and the moisture has to go somewhere and it's the bottom of the chimney.
Click to expand...

:-0..................surely there must be one other thing you can add................................:RpS_wink:
 
They are often solid brickwork. I have seen them 3' thick. That's why most DPC firms won't warranty the DPC in them. As it's difficult to inject effectively.
 
Yes makes perfect sense.
The penetrating falling damp is my main issue upstairs. My head says pointing flashing etc.

My main concern is that the surveyor suggested the render may have failed but I think that is bollix and I don't want to go near rendering a gable that won't make a jot of difference that's wasting time and money. The current render is intact no cracks not blown etc.

I'm using The Plasterers Forum Mobile App
 
Upstairs chimney may have two channels running through it, one for grn flr one for first floor, one channel will only be a brick deep,
 
Chiminys are problematic. Years of soot an rain water pouring down them contaminates the brick/stone work. Often tanking the best option.
 
Could be caused by the absorption of salts and soot from the old coal fires.it can attract moisture from the air. Showing up as damp patches on the chimney breast wall..:RpS_unsure:
 
old mate

like over hundred year solid wall cheshire brick. (soft)

the survey diagnosis says interstitial condensation as worded (this is a flaw of solid wall, moisture comes from the inside as we know)
but his description in the next paragraph goes to explain about ho rain water can be absorbed into the wall from outside (clearly penetrating damp) etc and then cannot escape because render can be too strong and blah blah its trapped etc
 
plasterjfe said:
old mate

like over hundred year solid wall cheshire brick. (soft)

the survey diagnosis says interstitial condensation as worded (this is a flaw of solid wall, moisture comes from the inside as we know)
but his description in the next paragraph goes to explain about ho rain water can be absorbed into the wall from outside (clearly penetrating damp) etc and then cannot escape because render can be too strong and blah blah its trapped etc
Click to expand...


Soft bricks are never good marra........ It'll probably be single skin and as it's old there's going to be a metal flue liner for the gas appliance. This itself can attract condensation which could run down to the dog-leg where one flue passes the upper fireplaces. Also the feathers might have collapsed in places so condensation can accumulate there too........Oh, and Jackdaws nests can cause major problems as water falls through them and can show through. Nearly filled a mini-skip once with what Jackdaws had dropped down the flue :-0
Usual things as mentioned above and best thing to do is inspect it, clear it, cap it (vented cowls) and vent at the bottom of the flue :RpS_thumbup:
 
Well like everyone has said check the lead work, check around the pots for cracks on the top and also make sure its not open.
An open chimney can cause lots of issues as everytime it rains its collecting moisture and this can just build up.

Stacks is I would say one of the most common issues when it comes to damp, condensation is another but that's a whole different ball game.

The best way is to look at the symptom's then go from there, roofs are a pain due to access.
 
Looks ng in the loft at the top end the stack looks reasonable. The main damp is first floor bedroom next to the breast in the ingoes half way up the wall.

Just where you wouldn't expect. It looks like the worst condensation I have seen

I'm using The Plasterers Forum Mobile App
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top