Damp and Staining on Chimney Breasts

What is Damp and Staining?

Damp and staining can often appear along the length of the chimney stack and cause extensive damage to the internal decorations of a property. The extent of the problem can vary from small spot marks top large plumes over the entire chimney breast.

What are the causes of Damp and Staining?

Water can often enter a flue from the head of the chimney, and pass down within it. Once in the flue, it can be absorbed into the masonry and then be driven through to appear on any internal decoration.

Stoves and boilers can generate large volumes of condensate under their normal operation. These condensates once within the flue cool and return to liquid form. This can then move through the wall of the flue and show up as dark stains on the face of the flu.

Long term use of certain fuels can result in salts building up within the masonry of the flue. These salts can get to such levels that they can start to draw moisture from the atmosphere through osmosis.

What is the solution?

The methods Turner Baker Ltd use to prevent the occurrence of damp and staining will depend on the original source of the damage.

In order to decide on the best course of action Turner Baker Ltd undertake site surveys to eliminate possible causes. The repair process may include:

• Supplying and fitting chimney cowls.
• Re-setting chimney pots and re-flaunching chimney head.
• Re-pointing chimney stacks.
• Re-lining chimney flues.
• Removing damaged plasterwork and installing a permanent non-permeable membrane.

What should you do?

Please contact Turner Baker Ltd and we will arrange a site visit to asses the source of the problem, and then discuss with you what solution maybe appropriate.