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Chimney Has rising Damp going into the wall
- Thread starter Dracer
- Start date
Penners
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That's not much information to go on, Dracer, but here goes.
How long has the chimney been capped and ventilated? If it's only been a short time, you might need to leave it longer for the drying out to take place fully. The widely used rule-of-thumb is that masonry takes a month to dry out for every inch of its thickness. So 12-inch thick masonry would take a year. Of course, this depends very much on conditions and time of year.
Was the fireplace blocked up when you bought the property, but the chimney still open at the top? If so, it's quite possible that the base is full of muck - soot, bits of plaster and masonry, birds' nests and so on. If this is the case, and if rain has fallen inside and soaked into the muck, this will exacerbate the dampness problem and greatly prolong it. If you suspect this to be the case, you might do well to break into the fireplace again and give it a good clear out.
If there's an old fireback in there, packed in with rubble, it would be beneficial to clear that all out, too.
How long has the chimney been capped and ventilated? If it's only been a short time, you might need to leave it longer for the drying out to take place fully. The widely used rule-of-thumb is that masonry takes a month to dry out for every inch of its thickness. So 12-inch thick masonry would take a year. Of course, this depends very much on conditions and time of year.
Was the fireplace blocked up when you bought the property, but the chimney still open at the top? If so, it's quite possible that the base is full of muck - soot, bits of plaster and masonry, birds' nests and so on. If this is the case, and if rain has fallen inside and soaked into the muck, this will exacerbate the dampness problem and greatly prolong it. If you suspect this to be the case, you might do well to break into the fireplace again and give it a good clear out.
If there's an old fireback in there, packed in with rubble, it would be beneficial to clear that all out, too.
Hi Penners
The chimney was capped many years before i had the property but I found a crack in the top when I vented it so re did it.
the chimney has been out of use for many years and blocked up, so its all brick up to 5 foot.
Do you sugest a chmical damp course up and around and through?
The chimney was capped many years before i had the property but I found a crack in the top when I vented it so re did it.
the chimney has been out of use for many years and blocked up, so its all brick up to 5 foot.
Do you sugest a chmical damp course up and around and through?
Nemesis
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Some photographs might be useful, and more information about the age of the building, type of chimney, position in building, is the rest of the house brick, etc etc.
Gareth Hughes
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Since the problem sounds to be damp in the chimney (possibly coming down from the crack you found and "re did" - I have to ask what did you re do it with?), it's unlikely to be so-called "rising damp", so a chemical damp course is unlikely to be of much use.
Nemesis
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Quite.
If any chimney , especially those in older buildings constructed from pervious masonary, are capped, they WILL suffer fom damp. There is no natural air flow to quickly dry out the water absorbed into the chimney void. ( especially if exposed to the elements)
Every problem has it's individual solution, as Penners mentioned, a lot more information about construction, previous modifications, elevation aspects etc.. is required for someone to make usefull suggestions as to the possible cause.
Every problem has it's individual solution, as Penners mentioned, a lot more information about construction, previous modifications, elevation aspects etc.. is required for someone to make usefull suggestions as to the possible cause.
Penners
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Quite.
well my builder told me that as there is no damp proofing at the base, and as the chimney seems to have been rebuilt with expanded metal against wall and modern cement we thought it was that and not the the capping as it has been sealed and vented so it would rise to approx 3 feet up the inner wall around the chimney outline.
No pics but would not know how to send them.
No pics but would not know how to send them.
It gets even more complicated I am afraid.
Old chimney, rebuilt, expanded metal lath, cement, no damp proof, some vent,
I am sure you will get some very good suggestion as to the probable cause from this site, you, then, have to interpret which one is the most likely to cause the problem.
I would suggest, if you can, to ask a knowledgeable person that understand old buildings to have a good look at it.
Old chimney, rebuilt, expanded metal lath, cement, no damp proof, some vent,
I am sure you will get some very good suggestion as to the probable cause from this site, you, then, have to interpret which one is the most likely to cause the problem.
I would suggest, if you can, to ask a knowledgeable person that understand old buildings to have a good look at it.
I did but the expensive option would do the job properly.
As the Chimney has a mish mash of modern materials by builder said it needs a chemical damp proof, but will need rebuilding soon, as the bricks have blown and its not in good condition.
He said reclaimed bricks and re build and to see about grant
As the Chimney has a mish mash of modern materials by builder said it needs a chemical damp proof, but will need rebuilding soon, as the bricks have blown and its not in good condition.
He said reclaimed bricks and re build and to see about grant
Pics would be very useful and not difficult to put on. Press the upload attachment at the bottom of a new post, click on Browse... select your picture.Dracer said:No pics but would not know how to send them.
Nemesis
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If this building is listed then rebuild may not be a simple option. It's possible this is not 'rising damp either, and an injected 'dampcourse' may well simply be a waste of cash - as they usually are.
Why and from whom does he think think a grant would be available?
Why and from whom does he think think a grant would be available?
Dracer, is your chimney exposed to the external elements, if so, all of it, some of it or is it centrally situated within the building.
If the builder suggested is needs chemical damp proof and then rebuild ( repair ?) with reclaimed bricks, it does not make much sense. It either requires a proper damp course ( highly unlikely if " soft" bricks and lime mortar is used), or it requires nothing at all, exept repairing correctly.
I am afraid ( repeat) there are too many variables to consider when damp is a problem, a REALLY knowledgeable builder will put you on the right track ,
If the builder suggested is needs chemical damp proof and then rebuild ( repair ?) with reclaimed bricks, it does not make much sense. It either requires a proper damp course ( highly unlikely if " soft" bricks and lime mortar is used), or it requires nothing at all, exept repairing correctly.
I am afraid ( repeat) there are too many variables to consider when damp is a problem, a REALLY knowledgeable builder will put you on the right track ,
middi said:a REALLY knowledgeable builder will put you on the right track ,
And while you're finding one, lay in a good supply of hens' teeth.
The builder is ok Ive used him for a couple of developments.
Yes Grants whats that.
The building is listed and I thought just knock down and re build would be the best option and deinstate the chimney properly with a pot etc.
The chimney does go up the wall outside the building so is fully exposed.
Yes Grants whats that.
The building is listed and I thought just knock down and re build would be the best option and deinstate the chimney properly with a pot etc.
The chimney does go up the wall outside the building so is fully exposed.
Lime
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From what I've read of the problem chimney I know it is made of brick in part, capped and damp, not a lot else.
Details appear to be sketchy as to what it is attached to and the description "its all brick up to 5 foot" without much meaning and lacking clarity.
However "Do you sugest a chmical damp course up and around and through?" suggests you are either taking the Mickey or you need to change your builder.
Details appear to be sketchy as to what it is attached to and the description "its all brick up to 5 foot" without much meaning and lacking clarity.
However "Do you sugest a chmical damp course up and around and through?" suggests you are either taking the Mickey or you need to change your builder.
Lime said:From what I've read of the problem chimney I know it is made of brick in part, capped and damp, not a lot else.
Details appear to be sketchy as to what it is attached to and the description "its all brick up to 5 foot" without much meaning and lacking clarity.
However "Do you sugest a chmical damp course up and around and through?" suggests you are either taking the Mickey or you need to change your builder.
No not the mickey chemical inject through the section and up the chimney against the wall.
My builder has given me a cheap and expensive option
Gareth Hughes
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Dracer said:Lime said:From what I've read of the problem chimney I know it is made of brick in part, capped and damp, not a lot else.
Details appear to be sketchy as to what it is attached to and the description "its all brick up to 5 foot" without much meaning and lacking clarity.
However "Do you sugest a chmical damp course up and around and through?" suggests you are either taking the Mickey or you need to change your builder.
No not the mickey chemical inject through the section and up the chimney against the wall
What's the wall that the chimney is alongside made of? brick, stone, timber frame, cob? Is the chimney tied into it or just built up against it?