Over the past couple years when there has been a lot of windy driving rain (that seems to happen more often these days), we have noticed spots of water staining in the back bedroom ( old terraced house) coming from the loft above, approx 30cm away from the edge of the chimney breast
After clearing loads of rubbish out of the loft, we were able to make our way to the back of the loft. From the staining patten on the roof felt, it seems to be the likely point of ingress is right in the corner where the party wall, which is sloping with the pitch of the roof, meets the left corner of the chimney breast. Water is tracking down the felt and then dropping onto the loft floor and then damp staining is coming through the ceiling.
In that place where water has come through, the corner the bricks are very flaky. See photo. There are also 2 or 3 bricks here and there on the rest of the breast that are spalling. See other photo.
How urgent do you think it is that these bricks are repaired? The chimney is not in use as a fire place. Is it oK to leave as is for a few more years ?
What trade should I get to do the brick repair ? Does it have to be new brick or will patching mortar do ?
Any guesses as to possible weakness/cause in the roof that allows rain in from time to time ??
The roof was last redone about 25 years ago.
Thanks for any input
After clearing loads of rubbish out of the loft, we were able to make our way to the back of the loft. From the staining patten on the roof felt, it seems to be the likely point of ingress is right in the corner where the party wall, which is sloping with the pitch of the roof, meets the left corner of the chimney breast. Water is tracking down the felt and then dropping onto the loft floor and then damp staining is coming through the ceiling.
In that place where water has come through, the corner the bricks are very flaky. See photo. There are also 2 or 3 bricks here and there on the rest of the breast that are spalling. See other photo.
How urgent do you think it is that these bricks are repaired? The chimney is not in use as a fire place. Is it oK to leave as is for a few more years ?
What trade should I get to do the brick repair ? Does it have to be new brick or will patching mortar do ?
Any guesses as to possible weakness/cause in the roof that allows rain in from time to time ??
The roof was last redone about 25 years ago.
Thanks for any input
