HI,
Desperately looking for some help for a problem that no-one seems to recognise.
I had my 110 year old chimney breast opened -just to the original size to fit a unit and had the bricks left uncovered. The old bricks were used with a few extra old stocks where needed, I decided to leave for a while before sealing the bricks.
The rogue builder abandoned me and I and the flat were left for many months over winter without Kitchen,bathroom, gas, WC water etc or any heat in the freezing weather.
Recently with much of the building now done I have suddenly noticed little black holes and fissures appearing in the old bricks, more than the mortar, and a smell of soot in the room and a little efflerescence on the bricks.
There were no problems in the previous 110 years with the bricks or plaster.
the only thing I can think of is that with the large area of K&B having been re re-rendered and no heat over aweful weather to dry it out damp has collected and suddenly damage is apparent.
No one knows what the problem is except for the experienced chimney sweep who says that it could be silver fish damage. My opening is vented as is the un-used flu of my neighbour downstairs and sharing the chimney breast .
The outer wall faces SW and gets lots of drying heat in fine weather.
I have never seen any insects but will look tonight.
PLease has anyone seen this and can suggest a solution?
Thanks
Desperately looking for some help for a problem that no-one seems to recognise.
I had my 110 year old chimney breast opened -just to the original size to fit a unit and had the bricks left uncovered. The old bricks were used with a few extra old stocks where needed, I decided to leave for a while before sealing the bricks.
The rogue builder abandoned me and I and the flat were left for many months over winter without Kitchen,bathroom, gas, WC water etc or any heat in the freezing weather.
Recently with much of the building now done I have suddenly noticed little black holes and fissures appearing in the old bricks, more than the mortar, and a smell of soot in the room and a little efflerescence on the bricks.
There were no problems in the previous 110 years with the bricks or plaster.
the only thing I can think of is that with the large area of K&B having been re re-rendered and no heat over aweful weather to dry it out damp has collected and suddenly damage is apparent.
No one knows what the problem is except for the experienced chimney sweep who says that it could be silver fish damage. My opening is vented as is the un-used flu of my neighbour downstairs and sharing the chimney breast .
The outer wall faces SW and gets lots of drying heat in fine weather.
I have never seen any insects but will look tonight.
PLease has anyone seen this and can suggest a solution?
Thanks