I have damp coming in on the bedroom wall, where the chimney stack is located. It seems to be coming in through the mortar because it is patterned.
A damp specialist said that it was probably caused by condensation build up because the fire in the lounge wasn't being used and that it would dry out when I started to use the fire again. I've since had the old inefficient gas fire taken out and have been having a real fire (the chimney was swept before using it).
Far from the problem getting better, it has probably got worse. Apparently the guttering, flashing and flaunching are ok. A builder had a look; the first obvious sign of a possible problem was a couple of cracked slates. He replaced these (cost £105)....but that didn't solve the problem. He came back and has re-pointed the back of the chimney stack (costing £120, but it was in a poor state and needed doing)...but that still doesn't seem to have sorted the problem. I don't think the guy is trying to rip me off...as he didn't think the pointing would sort it.
Does anyone have any other suggestions? The roof is too high for me to get up to, so I have to take his word for it that the other usual suspects (flashing, guttering and flaunching) are ok. Could it be that the chimney simply needs lining? btw - my house was built in 1946 and does not have cavities.
A damp specialist said that it was probably caused by condensation build up because the fire in the lounge wasn't being used and that it would dry out when I started to use the fire again. I've since had the old inefficient gas fire taken out and have been having a real fire (the chimney was swept before using it).
Far from the problem getting better, it has probably got worse. Apparently the guttering, flashing and flaunching are ok. A builder had a look; the first obvious sign of a possible problem was a couple of cracked slates. He replaced these (cost £105)....but that didn't solve the problem. He came back and has re-pointed the back of the chimney stack (costing £120, but it was in a poor state and needed doing)...but that still doesn't seem to have sorted the problem. I don't think the guy is trying to rip me off...as he didn't think the pointing would sort it.
Does anyone have any other suggestions? The roof is too high for me to get up to, so I have to take his word for it that the other usual suspects (flashing, guttering and flaunching) are ok. Could it be that the chimney simply needs lining? btw - my house was built in 1946 and does not have cavities.