Chimney issue

[slc304]

Hi all,

Second item on the priority list - chimney. I know the shared chimney at the rear of our 1911 semi is leaking, both around the flashing and down the chimney itself (it's open at the top (no pot etc.) and in a poor state of repair. Neighbour repointed and rebuilt his 'half' a year ago (before we brought the house) but didn't touch our side -get the impression there wasn't a lot of neighbourly love before! I've arranged for a roofer to come and rebuild the top of the chimney, add a pot and cowl to prevent rain ingress and replace all the flashing. That should sort out the water issue. My question relates to allowing the chimney to dry. As you can see from the picture the chimney breast external wall is quite wet and I assume I am seeing moisture attempting to evaporate through the mortar behind the render? It has been very wet recently so this is the worse it has looked. The inner chimney breast walls are also a little damp (according to the 'damp-meter' - I know their limitations) and some wall paper has peeled but there are no major damp signs internally. The fire place at the base of the chimney is in the kitchen and as been converted into a cupboard, the actual chimney blocked off with a closure plate that is unsupringly rusting.

If we carry out the the repairs to the chimney, stop the water getting in and leave it open at the top will that be enough to allow it to dry out? Is it also a good idea to remove the closure plate and vent at the bottom as well? We do not plan to use any heat source in the chimney. Any insight very much welcome.

Cheers!

Sam

 

[Kearn]

A bump to get this seen as it seems to have fallen down the list presumably while waiting for approval. And while we're waiting, some thoughts...

I assume the render is lime, hence the visibility of distinct mortar lines beneath. Encouraging that it is following the pointing as this implies that is also lime, not concrete, so moisture can get out of the wall, at least. Even if more slowly out of the building itself.

Your plans sound sensible, stop rain falling straight down and while you're at it, mesh the gaps to stop birds thinking it's a nice place to live. Definitely leave the top open to aid air flow and in order to create movement throughout the stack, regardless of heat source, you should also vent to bottom too, which may not require the whole closure plate to come out. You're unlikey to get a gale whipping through, and without heat the drying will take some time, but it will happen.

Certainly while you're footing the bill for scaffolding or a cherry picker, it's sensible to check and sort any other issues up there at the same time.

 

[88v8]

+1 for a vent at the bottom. Need only be 9x9". Must have a through draught.

Elephant's foot cap would look the part.
This isn't one, but with a suitable pot, would do the job
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Terracotta-chimney-pot/223444522190?hash=item340654d4ce:gLcAAOSw3BFcgCcz

Elephant's foot cap and pot
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Terracotta-clay-Chimney-Pot-With-Pepper-Pot-Flue-Cap/113625303777?hash=item1a74988ae1:g:cZ8AAOSwHN9cXZuB
Also seems to be called Pepper Pot, who knew...

Ivor

PS good to edit your profile to show your location.......

 

[steveb]

elephant's foot, pepperpot, or even sailor's cap.

Ours looks like this. Sorry about the weather..