Hi, I've been told today that I have a hygroscopic salt problem with my chimney breast. I'd noticed a small damp patch above the skirting board which I got a surveyor to check out. He's told me the only option is to take the whole chimney breast back to bare brick and replaster. Before I resort to this is there any other way that I can try to seal the plaster? I've checked the whole wall and only the one area has a damp reading. Thanks for any advice!
Hygroscopic salts
- Thread starter jonmc1980
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Thinking about it logically,, taking the whole chimney breast back to brick would give you the chance to sort out any/all problems with damp/salts once and for all.
But if the problem is only confined to "one small area at the bottom", then it would seem daft to rip it all off just for that.
Providing the rest of the chimney breast is clear of salt/damp, then i would cut back the plaster back to brick, where the problem is. I'd make sure it was cut back way beyond the area. I'd then scratch coat the area with a 4 to 1 sand and cement mix, with a "waterproofer" in the mix. After you've scratched the patch, leave it to set and cure for a few days, then plaster the area to blend in with the rest of the wall.
If you do decide to do the whole chimney breast,, do it the same way,,, remove all plaster,, scratch coat with waterproofer additive, then re-plaster.
But if the problem is only confined to "one small area at the bottom", then it would seem daft to rip it all off just for that.
Providing the rest of the chimney breast is clear of salt/damp, then i would cut back the plaster back to brick, where the problem is. I'd make sure it was cut back way beyond the area. I'd then scratch coat the area with a 4 to 1 sand and cement mix, with a "waterproofer" in the mix. After you've scratched the patch, leave it to set and cure for a few days, then plaster the area to blend in with the rest of the wall.
If you do decide to do the whole chimney breast,, do it the same way,,, remove all plaster,, scratch coat with waterproofer additive, then re-plaster.
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Don't tell me he charged you for that duff advice. Is it at ground level? Does a fire or boiler vent into the chimney?
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Thanks for the replies. He didn't charge as it was just a free inspection. I have a couple of other companies coming to take a look over the next couple of weeks. I have an electric fire at the bottom of the chimney. It is an inset fire which has vents built in - approx 30mm at each side and 80mm at the bottom. Is this suficient or do I require a vent as well?
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