damp patches on gable, paint peeling

North_West_Art

Hi... just spent the day power washing the gable of the house to get rid of the paint which was peeling again. The house was painted 2 years ago, and the rest of the house is still ok... the problem is the gable that faces the direction of where the bad weather usually comes, and the paint starts lifting. But today I noticed damp patches under some of the plaster, the plaster was easy to remove from the 2 dark areas half way up the chimney just left of centre on 'gable 1' image. I think there may be water getting in somewhere else, either from the guttering either side, or the chimney isn't capped properly. I intend to get someone in this week to sort it... in the mean time, any ideas on what my problem could be, would be appreciated...
cheers

PaleRider

Be careful using power washers on Domestic buildings, unless you know what your doing, some washers are very powerful and can rip off plasterwork, you may also introduce capillary action, in other words making it worse. I would guess your house is on a high site, very exposed, no shelter. I will have a go at this but there no substitute for being on the ground.

1. The lead work is not discharging into guttering, or there is a hole in the existing lead, wetting the blocks. (Chimney with Guttering next to it)
2. No Damp Course below Capping. (Both Chimneys)
3. No Lead tray at lowest point on roof. (Both Chimneys)

House is not old could be under 10 year bond. I believe chimneys are covered for 2 years, check this out. Contact Homebond/ or Builder. It probably took a long time for the Chimneys to get this wet, maybe years. It appears the sand enclosed in chimney around pots could be very wet and heavy, holding the damp. Are these chimneys in use? and what are they being used for? I think i can see a flexible flue sticking out on the far left chimney. If that is coming from an oil boiler, that flue needs to be well insulated to stop condensation on the inside of chimney. If chimney is not being used then it should be ventilated. Please let me know how you get on, would be very interested. Regards

North_West_Art

you are spot on... on closer inspection (I dont have a long enough ladder to reach the chimney top), there is a gapping hole just where the guttering meets the chimney at either side, no plaster, no lead. The lead doesn't go the whole way to the guttering on the worst affected chimney, which is dormant. The active chimney doesnt have the same problem, but the insulation you mentioned at the cap, may not be there. The less affected chimney is used for a fireplace in the living room.

There is an oil fired range in the kitchen at the base of this dormant chimney, so thats what the extra fleu is in shot 1. The house is 6 years old and there were a few short cuts taken when building that are only becoming apparent now... eg. the beads are metal, and are supposed to be galvanized, but are seeping rust at the joints.

The site is on an exposed hill, there are a good few other houses in the area, but we are in the firing ling of Barnesmore Gap on the Ballybofey side, so plenty of force from the elements.

The power washer I used is average strength, it was only clearing the loose paint off the worst areas, but only when I positioned it up close.

Goes to show you, wear and tear from the relentless rain and the bad winter doesn't be long kicking in. Will have another closer look tomorrow.... cheers