Chimney breast damp - please help.

[hannie0509]

Hi all,

So we bought a bungalow 4 years ago and this year we have started having problems with damp spots on the Chimney breast in the living room. Its 100% the chimney because the damp is on the room will and the otherside of the breast in the bedroom which backs onto it. Problem is that for some reason the previous owners haven taken the chimney breast away from the roof and basically removed enough bricks for it to come in the space in the loft.. Basically the top of the breast is now in the loft and not on the roof where it was originally. I can see down the chimney too.

There is a small 9x3 vent on the bottom in the living room but something isnt right. I just cant understand why its started after 4 years.

Any help would be appreciated. Im going to try to clean the chimney out somehow aswell.

Thanks

Lee

 

[Lee dorey]

It’s a damp problem by either ventilation issue or could water be entering from external side maybe! Is the building solid or not etc! Maybe you have heating on and causing condensation

 

[Lee dorey]

If it’s solid you have one side of breast warm other side cold causes condensation! If you know anyone cheap digital camera lower it down and look inside once air temperatures drop in evening

 

[PlumbBob]

Have a look at this site, https://www.directstoves.com/resources/common-causes-of-damp-in-your-chimney-what-to-do-about-them/
You can get damp even for unused chimney breasts (I know I have the same issue!) due to the salt left behind from when it was used.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

There is a small 9x3 vent on the bottom in the living room but something isnt right. I just cant understand why its started after 4 years.

4 years was about the time after our chimney was capped, the place decorated, the four years later we could see the shape of the bricks appearing on the decorated walls. Ignored for a few years, then redecorated, there have been no more issues. conclusion- It takes a while for the salts to fully evaporate.

 

[Lee dorey]

When it was capped were vents installed

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

When it was capped were vents installed

Me? Back in the mid 80's