stepped brick work collecting water

[diychimp]

We have a chimney breast that sticks out [roud from the end wall. It is narrow most of the wy up, but from the bottom to about two thirds of the way it is wider. From wide to narrow it is stepped in by bout half a brick each side over 5 courses or so. THe steps are flat brick.

I think that the steps are collecting water as the interior wall is damp. How do I remedy this? Do i use lead flashing - if so how? Can I just use mortar and slope it off?

Help!

 

[joe-90]

Yes, Just rake out the old mortar and repoint it.


joe

 

[noseall]

in most width reduction scenarios on chimneys the builder either uses roof tiles or cant engineering bricks to weather the slope.

 

[diychimp]

Thanks guys.

Presumably with the cant brinks, they have to be set into the existing vertical wall above it, which would involve chopping out some of the existing brick.

I think that I will go for the rake and repoint and then build up a 45 degree slope with the mortar.

 

[noseall]

cheapskate.

 

[Nige F]

cant do it like that

 

[diychimp]

suppose that puts me in the same boat as the cheapskate, dimwit builders that put the chimney in, in th efirst place?