Have damp patches up to about 12 inches above floor level around disused internal wall downstairs rear chimney breast. The flue is metal lined (back boiler removed?) and is well ventilated top and bottom. The fireplace and some of the brickwork around it shows 'salting', but the surrounding floor seems dry as does the constructional hearth. I don't know about the state of the adjoining house.
Both front and rear rooms will be skimmed by a pro - a job well beyond my capabilities - very soon as my partner is not prepared to be without the 'reception rooms' any longer (and after two years rebuilding the rest of the place I don't blame her
). Leaving the wall to maybe dry out before replastering is not an option if I want jingling bells this Christmas.
What I'm considering is:-
Both front and rear rooms will be skimmed by a pro - a job well beyond my capabilities - very soon as my partner is not prepared to be without the 'reception rooms' any longer (and after two years rebuilding the rest of the place I don't blame her
). Leaving the wall to maybe dry out before replastering is not an option if I want jingling bells this Christmas.What I'm considering is:-
- opening up / repairing the fireplace;
- cleaning the salting from the brickwork;
- getting under the floor to check the damp course is not bridged;
- talking to the old lady next door to see if water is coming in / up from her side!;
- leaving the fireplace empty for now but open as stack ventilation;
- removing the damp plaster;
- using fireline plasterboard on battens to both keep the plasterboard off of the damp wall, and allow air to circulate and hopefully dry the wall out.
