Chimney damp problem

Jinxey

Hi All,

We have been having a small problem with damp patches on the side of our chimney recently and were looking at getting some friendly advice before potentially calling out a professional.

The property is a mid terraced property (1910's) which was recently refurbished in Summer 2013. We purchased the property in November 2013, but didn't move in till the new year.

The property is a standard terraced house with two reception rooms downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs, each with a chimney breast. We started noticing small wet patches on the side of the chimney breast in winter last year, however we didn't think much of it as they didn't come to much and so in the Summer we put a bit of damp sealant/paint on to them and had planned on painting over them, but never got round to it. The past week or so when it has been windy and rainy again, these larger patches have started to appear and so we are starting to get a bit more concerned.

Both chimney breasts upstairs have been bricked up. Bedroom 1, above the living room has no vent in it, however Bedroom 2, above the dining room does have a vent. We can see no damp upstairs at all.

Downstairs, the dining room has been bricked up with no vent, however the living room, the chimney has not been bricked up (strangely) and so you can hear the wind howling and flowing freely through the chimney. In front there is an old naff fire surround with an electric fire in front. We had planned on either bricking this up or replacing it, but due to finances, we haven't been able to yet.

There is damp patches on the side of both the downstairs chimney breasts. See pictures below. Interestingly there is no damp on the face of either.

Living Room

s30.postimg.o r g/41mnxn9o1/IMG_1444.jpg

There is no damp on the other side, however it has been extended with plasterboard to hide pipes and so the actual side cannot be accessed.

Dining Room

s30.postimg.o r g/w4an4rgs1/IMG_1445.jpg

s30.postimg.o r g/cl61vei0h/IMG_1446.jpg

Interestingly the wall around this chimney breast is for some reason plasterboard rather than the original solid wall behind! (You can hear it is hollow when knocking it)

The Chimney

The chimney appears to have one pot. The chimney had work done to it prior to us moving in due to some bulging and vegetation growing!

Before:
s30.postimg.o r g /j58u1qw1d/2012chimney.png

After (Now):
s30.postimg.o r g/igzzisxbl/2014chimney.png

I hope I have given enough information/not too much for someone to make a suggestion as to what it could possibly be causing this.

Thanks for the help :j

Apologies, can't post links as I am quite new! Please take the spaces out of "o r g" to see them! (If someone could repost that would be great!)

squeekswhenwalking

Chimneys often don't have damp courses in, however if it is in patches above a meter high it's probably condensation, if there isn't adequate ventilation in the breast, cold spots will cause ventilation. If the breast has been dry lined with plasterboard using dot and dab adhesive, the adhesive will conduct any cold and moisture

Jinxey

Many thanks. If this is indeed condensation, what is the best way to tackle it?

adamslinger

I think the best way to reduce condensation is to ensure adequate ventilation is available to allow the moisture to escape.