Can anybody out there help me!!!

Francophile

Our garage is integral with the house and the chimney breast runs up through the garage. Since the house was built we would see a bit of water running doen the chimney breast in the garage but as it didn't affect the interior of the house we didn't bother about it (which I suppose we should have while the house was still under the 10 year warrenty).
We then converted over the gagare so this breast wall now runs through a bedroom. Initially there were no problems but after a couple of years a sort of blistering strted to occur around where the ceiling meets the wall. We callled out a handyman who coated the exterior of the chimney with something and that seemed to stave it off for a while and then it atrted again really badly this time. We called out the lead flashing experts and they reflashed around the chimney. I had to get the wall and ceiling replastered but I thought the problem was solved. Not so!! It's started again. The wall and ceiling are all blistered and it's now affecting the adjoining room in the main part of the house which was never affected before. Would anyone have any ideas where I go froom here. I don't know who to call out to solve this problem before it gets any worse.
Many thanks in advance for any advice offered.

adaze

I would have said, check the flashing, but as you have already done that I can only think that the roofing might need checking (cracked tiles etc...)

Is your chimney vented? Or is it still used? If it isn't being used it should have a vent somewhere on the breast so that the chimney can air, it could be that this damp is being caused by condensation inside the chimney.....

Only other thing I can think of is that if water is coming from somewhere could it be a leaking pipe, i.e. boiler in the attic or overflow....

Francophile

The chimney is still in use. We light the fire regularly. My son is a 3rd year apprentice plumber and thinks some tray has been left out of the chimney when the house was originally built. My problem is I don't know what sort of tradesman to call in.

madeane

If the brickwork has been damp, hydroscopic salts may continue to come through in future causing such problems. Specialist plasterboard/plaster or tanking of the area(s)would solve the problem if this is the cause. Obviously hard to tell if this is the case without looking, but just trying to help!!

Francophile

Thanks madeane, do you know who would be able to identify the problem? As I've said I've had a handyman and leading specialists and a plasterer out. I don't know who else to ask.

madeane

Normally this type of problem is solved by a damp proof expert either by renewing the damp proof course and then replastering to one meter so this affects the walls lower down. We have a plastering business and have solved issues by tanking and using specialist plaster particularly in chimney breasts that have been sealed or blocked by rubble, where dampness/staining from salts has continued to stain the decoration. You need to ensure that the original cause of dampness has been solved, a reputable builder should be able to do this for you, or even have a structural survey to identify the cause.

However, if there is no evidence of wet/damp and as you say it is just blistering it may just be the residue/salts from the original dampness and these can be highly corrosive. If this is the case I am afraid to say it will need a plasterer who is used to carrying out remedial work on areas that have suffered penetrative damp. They can use specialist foil lined plasterboard or limelight specialist renovating plaster or even tank the area with membrane before plastering, and this will prevent your decoration being ruined. As I say it is difficult especially when you have had so much done to rectify the problem and still are suffering, because there are so many variables in the quality of work done in the home renovation business, some plasterers consider themselves qualified after going on a course lasting a week, so just beware and get recommended someone in your area who knows what they are doing!! I hope this helps a little.

Francophile

Madeane, thank you so much for your reply. I will try to find t find someone reputable.

madeane

Good luck with it all, hope it is soon solved for you!!