Damp Proofing

Ongoing damp issues on chimney breasts

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.44 PM

We have purchased a 3 bed semi-detached house in October 2022 and there are significant damp patches on chimney breasts area. Upstairs is the worst and the patch is from the ceiling down about 1/4 of the chimney breast height. The size and pattern of the patches have been the same since March 2022, been through loads of rains and storms but doesn't seem to get bigger. Attic has been dry with no sign of damp. We had a couple of roofers over and they all say this should be solved after a roof repair. In the end we went for a full reroof in Mid October as the roof was horrible. Since then we've been having dehumidifier on everyday but the wall doesn't seem to dry out, can feel actual water in some of the worst area with moisture meter showing 20%-30%. Overall feels like the water is still either coming in or somewhere in the chimney. We're getting worried as there's a new patch showing up today on our newly painted chimney breast on the ground floor. (That one didn't have damp patches before) Before we purchased the property our surveyor originally suggested to have all chimney breasts removed completely but we have decided to do the roof first, is it possible we'll have to go down that route? We're also wondering who to hire to identify the issue ? So far we're looking for damp specialist/damp proofer but struggling to find someone is willing to take on the job. Just to add we have inspected the attic, where the removed chimney stack area is just a big opened hole down to the worst damp chimney breast. Would this be the reason? Many thanks