Possible damp help

[Micky76]

Hi

Complete novice with DIY etc.... Was wondering if someone could advise. The chimney breast in my dinning room as a large patch on the left hand side. There is no patch on the ceiling and I checked upstairs and could not see anything up there. The fire place is closed up. but has no ventilation that I can see, the opening is completely covered. I think with this heavy rain we have been have the patch has got slightly larger. My first thought was to get a local roof/ chimney expert to have a look. I just don't want to get ripped off by some cowboy telling me I need a load of work done, has happened in the past.

I have attached some pictures

Any thoughts please let me know

Many Thanks
Michael

Untitled

• Micky76
• 14 Jul 2012
• 1

Untitled

• Micky76
• 14 Jul 2012
• 1

Untitled

• Micky76
• 14 Jul 2012
• 1

Fireplace opening

 

[joe-90]

Two choices.

Vent the bottom vent the top.

Close the bottom close the top.

Both work.

 

[Micky76]

Hi

Thanks for we was told that the chimney was capped!! I will get someone out to take a look

 

[joe-90]

It sounds like a condensation issue. Getting someone to look at the chimney is pointless. There are over 50 million open chimneys which don't have damp issues. Sounds like warm moist air from the inside of the house condensing in the cool chimney - just like the cooling towers at the power-station.

 

[Alastairreid]

Close the bottom close the top.

Big mistake!

Vent the bottom, vented cap on top.

 

[Alastairreid]

Hi
I think with this heavy rain we have been have the patch has got slightly larger.

It sounds like a condensation issue.

 

[joe-90]

Close the bottom close the top.

Big mistake!

Vent the bottom, vented cap on top.

Don't be silly. If the warm moist air can't get into the chimney it can't condense. It's those stupid caps with holes that you keep pushing that cause all the grief.

 

[Micky76]

Hi All

Chimneys all OK, as suggested need to fit a vent to as the fireplace is covered. Thanks for all your help