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Chimney & Fireplace

Rain drips down attic wall / beams from 'apex' of roof (neighbour's chimney doesn't straddle the join)

Anonymous user 14/03/2024 - 2.31 PM

I don't have a fireplace or chimney breast anywhere in my 200yr old stone cottage, however my neighbour's chimney has one chimney face that is directly on my roof 'join' with his. Water coming in has been been getting steadily worse and I have asked several local builders to put lead flashing on 'my side' of the chimney. They have all said that they don't think that this will stop the problem as the chimney has weeds growing out of it etc. I approached my neighbour who said we'd have to share the cost as it was a party wall, I noted that I don't have a fireplace therefore may as well take chimney down - he wants to keep chimney as he has a fireplace! (Was quoted around £7,000 to rebuild chimney - no way can I afford 1/2 share of this). My next step is to check the chimney 'spouts' - there is only one big one, and one that may have been demolished at some point, no-one seems to know the chimney is not capped so I guess this could be a cause of water ingress - I have no ventilation at base of any wall in the cottage (or anywhere else!) If the open chimney pot does not belong to my house can I 'make' my neighbour make good the repair? BUT most importantly - how can I tell if there was originally a fireplace in my cottage? Not been one since 1980's when my stepfather first bought it. Someone also suggested environmental health as the wet wall in the attic is coloured and 'bubbling' and could be salts from next door's chimney seeping through when in in use.... Anyhow, Thanks folks - feel better now I've got that off my chest!!! ANY advice would be gratefully received x

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1 Answer

ADR Property Maintenance

Rating: 5 out of 5

Boston

Without looking at the chimney it not really possible to be 100% sure where the water ingress is coming from. The fact there are trees growing out the chimney will certainly be one source, the cement on top may be cracked this being another inlet, the pointing will probably be an other inlet for water. This sounds like a joint chimney in the middle of the house, your side has been removed up to roof level, leaving the internal wall of the chimney which will be the external wall of your neighbour's chimney. You do not say if your neigbour uses his fire, it may very well be the heat from usage that is drying out the wall and causing the salts to come out of the bricks. It will have been built originally using lime mortar, this holds a lot of water before it starts to show. £7000.00 seems rather excessive to re-build a chimney when re-pointing, replacing the cement on the top and possibly some lead flashing may be all that is required. Your best bet is put your job on the site and get a local expert round to assess the problem and solution, although as it is not your chimney it is really your neigbour's and as such should be his responsibility. The only part that is your responsibility is the wall in the loft which may require re-pointing with lime mortar, so look for someone on the site that is used to dealing with older properties, there is no cement or additives in lime mortar, anyone that tells you different run a mile from. Good luck alex

Answered26 July 2013