Damp problem and dry rot (Ed.)

[amanda14]

hi all thanks for all your advice i cant believe a simple leak or what appears to have started at the chimney has turned into a dry rot situation ,i am thinking take the whole front room ceiling down then it will uncover the whole problem trouble is the ceiling is not just plaster board and we will lose the features but better than loosing the house
so ceiling is like lath and plaster ,the house was built in the 1930s but a extension was done to match the house with an imposing unique tower ,it a great house but the original part on this one wall is a real problem

up to now we have found a few issues with guttering and chimney and problem is being exposed to the winds from the sea we do think the rain sometimes got down the chimneys because of this ,i also think airflow and no vents may have not helped ,could be a combination of things

so do you think i should get a surveyor in after the ceilings taken down or just get him round asap ,in the mean time I'm opening windows to help with airflow , carry on using dehumidifier to stop it spreading hopefully or at least help with keeping humidity low

have these ceiling got any asbestos or any other health precautions as its lath and plaster i guess nothings simple gonna be a crap job and bang goes our xmas sitting in our lounge with a log fire

thanks for staying with me i will keep posting

 

[amanda14]

cannot seem to find a company for G r coleman ,he looks like a knowledgeable persoN with lots of experience but company was dissolved i cant seem to find him ,there is Coleman diagnostics but could be trading of his name as its an app that maybe He developed ,i will have another look later

 

[ree]

OP,
If you intend to DIY exposing the damage then why not remove all the wood panelling & skirtings in the pics?
There doesn't yet appear to be a reason for pulling down any ceilings?
As you open things up then post fresh pics on here. Remove carpets & furniture from rooms being worked in.
Graham Coleman is easy to google for his present telephone & email - and its a must that you get a survey at some point - best to open up first.

 

[Munroast]

@amanda14 as above, xpose a bit and lets have a look
room your image, pull A&B off and lets see the back of that panelling and what is behind it (good light and sharp image) and may be dig a hole in "C" (i'm thinking it will be lath and plaster ) and lets see whats in there etc