PLEASE PLEASE HELP!
MY HOUSE IS OVER 120 YEARS OLD. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD REMOVED THE CHIMNEY BREAST FROM THE FIRST FLOOR BEDROOM AND LOFT. DURING THE BAD WEATHER LAST YEAR WET PATCHES BEGAN TO APPEAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CHIMNEY BREAST IN THE LIVING ROOM (WHICH IS STILL PRESENT). I HAVE SINCE FOUND A CRACK IN THE LOFT WALL (GABLE END) WHICH RUNS ALONG THE MORTAR OF THE OLD CHIMNEY BREAST BRICKS. NO BRICKS ARE CRACKED, JUST THE MORTAR. BUT DAYLIGHT CAN BE SEEN THROUGH IT. THE OUTSIDE WALL IS RENDERED AND A HAIRLINE CRACK CORRESPONDS WITH THE LOFT WALL CRACK. IVE TRIED SEALING THE RENDER WITH MASTIK, ITS IMPROVED SLIGHTLY BUT ONE SIDE OF CHIMNEY BREAST IS STILL GETTING VERY WET WHEN IT RAINS. WHAT SHOULD I DO??
MY HOUSE IS OVER 120 YEARS OLD. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD REMOVED THE CHIMNEY BREAST FROM THE FIRST FLOOR BEDROOM AND LOFT. DURING THE BAD WEATHER LAST YEAR WET PATCHES BEGAN TO APPEAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CHIMNEY BREAST IN THE LIVING ROOM (WHICH IS STILL PRESENT). I HAVE SINCE FOUND A CRACK IN THE LOFT WALL (GABLE END) WHICH RUNS ALONG THE MORTAR OF THE OLD CHIMNEY BREAST BRICKS. NO BRICKS ARE CRACKED, JUST THE MORTAR. BUT DAYLIGHT CAN BE SEEN THROUGH IT. THE OUTSIDE WALL IS RENDERED AND A HAIRLINE CRACK CORRESPONDS WITH THE LOFT WALL CRACK. IVE TRIED SEALING THE RENDER WITH MASTIK, ITS IMPROVED SLIGHTLY BUT ONE SIDE OF CHIMNEY BREAST IS STILL GETTING VERY WET WHEN IT RAINS. WHAT SHOULD I DO??
