Chimney breast damp problem

M

marsaday

The chimney breast at the top of the house is damp.

It has been plaster boarded about 7 yrs ago. I thought it may have been the chimney flashings and so these were renewed last yr.

I am going to rip off all the plaster board and then i am not sure what to do.

What treatment do i give it ?

The chimney has one used chimney for the gas fire in the lounge. There is an old fire in the cellar and that is it. So i think this chimney has only 2 vents.

There is no vent into the brick work in the attic bedroom where the damp problem is.

I was thinking about using roof lats on the brick work and set a damp membrane behind them. Then screw new PB into place and skim.

Would this be any good. Or do i need to add a treatment to the brick, or create a breather vent ?
 
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I will check. Cant remember fully what it is like.

Could this be a source of water ?
 
Is the unused vent capped?

Are you using the cellar as a utility room?.
 
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I think it may be capped, but will have to have a look next week.

The cellar is used for the washing machine and possibly drying.

Does this mean the water vapour is going up the chimney and has no where to go ?

Will i need to put a breather cap on there instead ?
 
I would strip the chimney breast in the attic back to the brick, render with waterproofer then dot n dab it.

I wouldnt put a vent in the breast, that will only add to the moisture.

If the chimneys sealed off put a vent terminal on it.
 
I will strip the plaster board off, but i thought about using lats to take the new boarding. I could also lay a damp membrane behind the lats.

How would this compare to render with wateproofer in it ?
 
Render with waterproofer creates an impermeable barrier between the brick and board just the same as you propose.
 
Ok thanks for info. I will go with the lat option as easier for me.
 
Saw chimney top today.

There is one clay breather top for the gas fire in the lounge and the rest of the area is capped off with concrete. I think there is only the one other chimney from the basement, so i will need to take off the top and add one of those breather pots in metal.
 

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