Damp on wall of Chimney

eeiifn

Hi All,

I have a damp patch on my chimney wall upstairs - skirting is damp and the wall is damp about a foot above the skirting also. I've just noticed it in the pass 3 months. The house is 12 year old and I havent done anything recently with the roof/chimneys. I have recently got a insert stove fitted in the room directly underneath where the fireplace is. Can't understand where this damp patch is coming in the bedroom. It seems abit soothy so I am wondering is it damp on the inside. Cleaned the chimney today and the soot was very wet/damp. I have a chimney cap on so shouldnt be any major rain getting it. No sign of cracks or damage to the chimney stack or pot. Cant understand why is showing on the chimney breast upstairs in this spot - front facing part of the chimney breast and nothing on the two side walls. Anyone any ideas what it might be? I have attached a photo. thanks

Outkast_IRE

Ok how long ago was the stove fitted, and when did you start noticing the damp.

Was a flue liner dropped down the chimney when the stove was being fitted ?

eeiifn

Hi, the stove was fitted last December (2 months ago). No liner was fitted, just the insert stove in the fire opening in the room below. Previously i had a small regular stove in this open and when we use to lit after an long period of not been used there was always a smell of soot in the room for a few hours. There was also alot of water drips when we would like it for the first time - I didnt think much of it at the time as I taught it was rain etc. But since fitting the insert stove I've noticed this wet patch upstairs and it seems to be getting worse. It was small when I noticed it first but its getting bigger now. thanks.

Outkast_IRE

eeiifn wrote: »

Hi, the stove was fitted last December (2 months ago). No liner was fitted, just the insert stove in the fire opening in the room below. Previously i had a small regular stove in this open and when we use to lit after an long period of not been used there was always a smell of soot in the room for a few hours. There was also alot of water drips when we would like it for the first time - I didnt think much of it at the time as I taught it was rain etc. But since fitting the insert stove I've noticed this wet patch upstairs and it seems to be getting worse. It was small when I noticed it first but its getting bigger now. thanks.

This isn't my area of expertise, with regards to chimneys but it sounds like there is a possibility that the existing flue liner has been compromised in this location which allows moisture and smoke to reach the blockwork surrounding the existing flue liner.

I would hope someone else could chime in on this one, but I would be thinking that a flexible flue liner should of been dropped down the chimney and surrounded by vermiculite and then sealed correctly to the top of the chimney pot. That's my initial reaction lets see what others come back with as I wouldn't be an expert in this area.

PaleRider

Have you had a builder look at this. It may be a damaged Plaster Bead - Damp Course. A chimney not used will get a bit damp. If not using chimney for long periods then keep it ventilated.

Check the concrete capping on chimney top for cracks.

Water may have been getting in for a while.

Start checking at roof level first.

tred

check for cracks in the chimney crown itself...ud be surprised how a trickle of water can be drawn down by the blocks itself...

RKQ

I agree with above. Its likely to be water penetration via a hairline crack at cap or damp proof tray in chimney. We have experienced severe storms with very strong wind driven rain, consistantly over the last few weeks.