Newbie question - what am I looking at here?

[emmmdeee]

Been lurking here for a bit getting some great ideas about our damp chimney. So I’ve taken the plunge and started stripping it back - and I’ve fallen at the first hurdle

what am I looking at here?

Top layer is plaster, but what is the grey stuff with stones / pebbles? Some kind of lime based render?

For context, it’s a Victorian house - upper floor chimney breast.

Sorry for the newbie question! Thanks in advance

 

[CBW]

Looks like thermalite block.

 

[emmmdeee]

Looks like thermalite block.

Ahhh of course it does! The fireplace IS blocked up - but this patch is way up at the top (3m+ ceiling height) - I had expected to find the original brick chimney up there?

 

[CBW]

I guess it depends on whom carried out the work?

 

[tell80]

Whatever that is its possibly irrelevant to your purpose?
What exactly are you hoping to achieve in that bedroom with that chimney breast?
Is it simply to deal with the "damp" presenting itself on the bedroom chimney breast?

 

[emmmdeee]

Yeah the end goal is sorting the damp .

I was planning on stripping back to brick and then taking stock and formulating a plan - but then got thrown a bit by not finding brick

 

[tell80]

Up to you but if you want more help then just say?

 

[emmmdeee]

Oh I almost certainly will need more help . I think I’m ok for the moment tho, thank you all for helping

 

[Deleted member 292770]

its not thermal block. that’s old mortar consisting of ash coal crushed stone and lime.
dont get it in your eye , it’s sharp and a nightmare to get out.

 

[emmmdeee]

its not thermal block. that’s old mortar consisting of ash coal crushed stone and lime.
dont get it in your eye , it’s sharp and a nightmare to get out.

Oh interesting, that would make more sense given the location on the wall - so would that have been used as a render/plaster do you think?

 

[Deleted member 292770]

it’s old backing mortar for lime plaster.

 

[Nige F]

Whatever that is its possibly irrelevant to your purpose?
?

as are most of your comments