Chimney dampness?

awnow

The construction of my chimney is only recently completed on my new build house, about 4-weeks ago it was capped. The roof is completed and fully sealed. But I am noticing dampness down along the chimney breast which seems to be mainly centred along the centre of the chimney breast, where the flue runs. I was wondering if this is part of a drying out process for the chimney, considering the house has only been fully sealed around 3-4 weeks. The walls elsewhere in the house are all dry.

I have a lead tray incorporated into the chimney at the point where the chimney protrudes through the roof, which would stop any moisture from leaking its way down through the blockwork. So it would appear to me that if this is NOT a drying out process, then the only other way that water could get down the chimney is through the flue and is somehow 'seeping' its way out through the flue to the breast.

I will query this with my builder and will post back the outcome but any thoughts in the meantime appreciated. Have looked at the many other posts concerning chimneys, but nothing I'm afraid seems to have shone any light on what the reason for this might be.

d o'c

it could be worth inspecting the juction where the chimney pot meets the chimney coping cap,
this should have a fall outward,all around. water could be seeping down the outside of the flues ..

awnow

I notice the dampness has receeded a great deal today, maybe owing to the excellent weather we're having but I'll certainly investigate this. Many thanks. Any other ideas/thoughts appreciated.