Patches on new plaster

[JohnD]

ask them to take some pics on your phone. Including the gutter as the wet patch is bigger than I'd expect.

Sometimes disused chimneys are capped off with a paving stone or similar, it avoids the need for future flaunching, as there is no pot, but you need to add an airbrick into each flue.

If the brickwork is in poor condition, I'd have the stacks reduced in height. But I am not a roofer.

 

[Muj]

Both fireplaces are still being used John, so I take it they need to remain open?

the airbrick I need to add, where would you say is the best to add them? Top, bottom or middle ?

sorry for all the questions,

thank you !

 

[Muj]

I had a roofer pop down earlier who said more than likely water is getting in through the top where the pot things are sitting so that will need to be cemented again. The flashing he said looks fine but he’ll remove the weed etc growing there and see if it needs any work.

I asked about stacks height and he said they’re that tall for a reason, they need to be higher than the top part of the roof so said to leave them as they are.

I then asked him about putting an air brick as well as a internal vent on the offending wall and he said there’s no need as the chimney is vented at the top so there will be a draft anyway.

Not sure what to do about the internal vent and airbrick?

I have another roofer coming tomorrow to get his opinion too.

Keeping the thread updated as much as possible incase someone else runs in to the same problem in the future. I’ve seen too many threads with no solution at the end as the OP decided not to update it after finding a fix.

 

[Muj]

what a clown you are! if that stack is lowered and someone lights a fire downstairs all the fumes will draw back into the room when a door or window is opened. it’s built that height for a reason you bell end.

I think the roofer said something similar to that.

 

[Muj]

OP,
This roofer:
Apparently he didn't mention dropping the perished courses at the top of the stack? Simply flaunching is not good enough.
Or suitable terminals?
Or sweeping the flues?
Or flue through ventilation?
Chimney's are not ventilated - flues are ventilated - from bottom to top.

Until you know precisely which flue is active & which flue is dormant you do not go inserting any air bricks - done willy-nilly it can have dangerous consequences.

he didn’t mention anything of the above

I have another roofer coming tomorrow who said he was currently dealing with the same issue at another house. Hopefully he mentions a few more things

 

[Muj]

View attachment 189954
truth of the matter is this . the op ended up outside ,13ft up a chimney , chasing a problem that exists here. which categorically cannot be and is not connected. other than a tile missing here and there and maybe a bit of tlc that chimney and roof look fine.
obviously the chimney is taking in water as it’s not being used as it was intended.
no roofer worth his salt will connect the 2 issues. hygroscopic salts such as you have absorb moisture and give the appearance of penetrating damp. despite bobarseholes disrespect , i’ve been a plasterer and general builder giving hundreds of customers good advice and service for over 25 years.

Thanks benny, are you saying the chimney has very little to do with the patches on the wall?

I feel like I’m losing my marbles lol I’m so confused :/

 

[Muj]

Guys, you both sound like very knowledgable people, and I’m taking in to consideration what both of you are saying.

But let’s stop with calling each other out, I’m sure we can learn from each other and in turn increase our knowledge.

I really appreciate you guys taking out your time to give your opinion and help a randomer like myself. Therefore, can we please remain amicable with each other because my wall is still as patchy as anything

(I pray to god this does not backfire on me lol)

 

[Muj]

I’ve had two roofers in now, one says it’s definitely the cement by the pots and another says it’s definitely flashing.

so I’m torn at the moment.

I’ve also taken some pics from the loft, I’m guessing this is where the chimney meets the roof

 

[Muj]

Update on this thread:

Since the last time I posted, I’ve had the flashings changed with new lead, new lead soakers, new back gutters and flaunching on top. It was great for a couple months but now the rains started again new patches have appeared in a different spot. It now is on the same wall but where the wall meets the ceiling.

I have spoken to the roofer who has come out and said he can’t see where the problem is as it’s had everything new (the back gutters were put in new FOC as new lead didn’t resolve the issue). I’m now at a loss as to what to do because this new problem wasn’t here previously, it appeared after the new gutters/flashing were put in.

The roofer is suggesting I get all the mortar between the bricks taken out and re pointed because apparently it’s very brittle. I can’t see that being the problem purely because there was no water ingress on that part of the ceiling prior to the work commencing.

Any suggestions guys?

I’ve attached a couple pics.