Crumbling bricks in the loft

[modmonkey]

Hi there,

I've already posted this in the roofing & gutterin section.

I own the upper maisonnette flat of a spilt terraced house, with a separately owned basement flat at the bottom. The building is about 100 years old.

Up in my loft the brickwork on both party walls are crumbling badly, especially in the chimney stacks on the right side of the house. There are also cotton wall type balls growing on the brickwork, which (from what I've read) may be dry rot. I'm concerned at the state of decay the walls are at but am aware that being built 100 years ago it's not going to be great. I cannot see any water coming from anywhere, but both fireplaces have been bricked up and the chimney I don't think has been capped at all. Could all this be the result of water coming down the chimney?

Who would be best to contact for this type of problem? Is it roofing, damp specialist or general builder?

Also does anyone know if it is my responibility or is it a shared problem with the basement flat owner?

Sorry in advance if there is anything missing in my description, I'm a bit new to all this.

Thanks,

Modmonkey

 

[Johnboy54]

If the fireplaces have been bricked up and the chimney not capped, in effect you've got a large container for water.
The white stuff is damp coming through the bricks (Not dry-rot in bricks)
You need vents in the fireplaces to ensure a flow of air to dry it all out.
Later, you need the chimney capping.
As for the legal stuff, no idea, but at a guess I'd say it was you.
An example in the form of an old joke -
Wife - 'Are you going to cut that grass or not? I can't see out of the window.'
Husband - 'Why should I. I think him in the flat below should have a go first.'
A general builder will be able to help.
And may have better jokes.

 

[modmonkey]

Thanks mate, will get someone to check it out.

 

[modmonkey]

I've added some photo's and just remmembered that there is a fireplace still open in one bedroom upstairs on one stack and a hole in the living room downstairs on the other stack. I hadn't remmbered this as both have got boards leaning against them to hide the mess, but not sealed.

Is this enough ventalation?

Also the brick damage is on the opposite wall where there isn't a chimney.

Link for photos below -

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/modmonkey1/my_photos

 

[jbonding]

ill be honest your wall looks the same as any wall ive seen in a loft, if your worried about a couple of bricks replace them, but i honestly wouldnt bother. A tight coat off sand and cement on the whole wall might put you at ease but not really neccessary.