CHIMNEY LEAKS
Roof components - chimneys > > Fixing a leaking chimney
Roof Expert Manchester — expert repair of a leaking chimney in Withington, Manchester
Problem
Damp on chimney breast is damaging the plaster wall in bedroom.
Over time the damp patch has spread to the bedroom ceiling and is getting worse.
Initial inspection showed that the existing render on the sides of the chimney had cracks, as did the flaunching around the chimney pots.
Solution
The cracked sand and cement mortar was removed and the top of the chimney was re-flaunched.
On hacking off the existing render it was clear that the outer layer of much of the bricks had spelched away. Cracks were visible between the brickwork joints and mortar allowing deeper moisture penetration and causing instability.
The perished mortar joints needed to be grinded out and re-pointed in new mortar. PVA sealer-stabiliser was then applied to the brickwork. A base "scratch coat" of render was then trowelled on to key into the brickwork and provide a flat surface onto which the final pebbledash coating was applied.
New lead flashings and soakers and a rendered bell for water run-off at the foot of the chimney were installed for good measure.
Correct diagnosis leads to a proper solution — Roof Expert Manchester.
