8 year old house with damp issuses

[AHorner40]

Hi

We have had several problems with our new home built 2002 that has been built in semi engineering bricks.

1. The chimney breast is external on a west facing wall with a log burning fire (swept yearly).The chimney is lined and was built with the then correct building regs. The chimney is capped and has a funnel into the exposed pipe to the top of the fire. Every time it rains we end up with a pool of water whether it is summer or winter. Every time it is lit, we end up with at least a bucket full of water that needs moping regularly. The water is damaging the fire. When the fire has been lit for a while it does it stop! But starts to leek again once the fire is out.

2. We have had leaks around the south facing windows and is now damaging the plaster. Other windows have leaked but are not quite as bad. The windows have been checked by a window company and he confirmed that the windows are sealed correctly. The house is ventilated by a large air brick in the lounge, useual air bricks (not blocked around the property) and window vents that are open all year.

3. After spells of rain the exterior walls take noticibly longer to dry out then other houses in the newly built close. Sometimes, when the sun doesn't get to the walls they don't dry out and feel wet to touch.

4. Both the ensuite (no window) just an extractor fan, and the bathroom that has a window vent, extractor fan and the window is always open, damp appears on the ceiling, the coving, and on the walls.

Could you please advise? Thanks

 

[HERTS P&D]

Good evening A,

1. Call in a roofer to check the cap on the top of the chimney, he can also check the flashing where the chimney meets the roof.
Top Tip: give him your digital camera and ask him to take pictures of anything that is faulty and suspect.

2. Close window vents (if possible or tape up) Give the wife the hose pipe and start to wet the window starting from top corner to other top corner and then work around the windows. This should be able do see where the water is coming in from.

3. Give the walls 2 coats of Thompson water seal. (when dry and in good weather)

4. Does the extractor fan have a timer on it? if not then fit one, also the timer should be on for 20mins after the light has been turned off.

Post pictures of your findings.

Andy