Damp chimney breast - who to turn too next? Damp can be a major issue in the home. Find answers to questions or post your own here.

[julieprobert]

Hi. We have a 1930's semi. The chimney was removed a few years ago and we now get regular damp patches to the lower areas of the chimney breast. We have had a new damp proof course fitted and have a pump under the floorboards to remove any excess moisture following heavy rain. However, we are still getting damp around the chimney breast - but our neighbours don't get this problem on their side. We don't know where to turn too next for advice - local builders haven't seemed interested or simply advised to replace the DPC. Could this be a bridging issue caused by rubble from the chimney removal being dropped down our side of the stack? If so, who can help with this - is it a surveyor, or specialist builder. Any advice would be very gratefully received. Thanks.

[stoneyboy]

Hi julieprobert
It is difficult to advise with the limited information in your post.
Was the chimney on the party wall, if yes was your neighbours chimney also removed?
Has the roof been reformed over where the chimney was?
Are you referring to damp at floor level?
Does a fireplace opening still exist?
More detail is really needed.
Regards S

[julieprobert]

The chimney breast is on a party wall. The neighbours chimney was removed at the same time and the roof was replaced. There is not an open fireplace in existence but there is ventilation in place in the alcove. The damp appears at skirting board level and rises about 1 metre up the wall to both sides and front of the chimney breast. The neighbours wall doesn't get damp. We have a new damp proof course. Water does gather under our floorboards but is now pumped out.

[stoneyboy]

Hi julieprobert
Thanks for the additional information.
Presumably any rubble that fell down the chimney was cleared from the ground floor hearth. It is unlikely that a damp-proof membrane has been incorporated in the hearth slab so it's worth checking for rubble/debris.
The existence of rising damp would indicate that the damp proof course is not working - you could contact a damp proofing company and see if they can identify the problem.
You should not have water lying on your sub floor so suggest you need to identify the source and get this remedied.
Regards S