we live in an old house and have spent thousands having the chimney repaired to stop water leaks. However, it is still leaking. We have found a number of cracked bricks that when sprayed with a hose, let in water. All the flashings has been replaced and everything re- pointed.
Is there a product you can apply that will waterproof the bricks ?
Thanks in advance.
Piers
How big is the chimney? Before spending thousands i'd have taken it down to roof level and rebuilt it. Not that big a job really. Regards, Ed
Piers, a few questions:
When you say it lets water in where is the water getting to?
Is the flue used?
Are you subject to any planning restrictions, e.g. listed building, etc?
The largest cost for any proper fix especially if rebuilding is likely to be scaffolding
A photo would be useful
Regards
Andrew
Andrew
1985 S3 1700 XFlow. Undergoing full restoration
The house is 17 century, Thatched and Grade 2 listed, The chimney is only used for a gas powered stove (looks like a wood burning unit) and it has a flex tube up to a spark arrestor on top of the chimney. Having done some water tests with a hose, Water is getting in through cracked bricks and seems to get in in two places. Over the years, I've spent thousands trying to get it right. The last guy completely renewed all the lead guttering. We have had the chimney re-pointed by a specialist some time ago. Scaffolding is up at the moment, as it never came down after the lead guttering was done. The water is getting in only when it rains hard and comes down the inside of the chimney in two places. It's ruined an internal wall. The Chimney was rebuilt many years ago with assistance from local council specialist.
Advise much appreciated.
Piers
OK, the first thing to do would be to replace the cracked bricks if you have/can find any matching bricks. As you probably know you should discuss this with the local planners although they should not have any issues with like for like repairs. There are resin treatments that can be used to water seal the bricks but that will probably need approval.
I was involved in the restoration of the station master's house at Ribblehead station. That was built of sandstone and that was porous giving us the same issues with the chimney stacks. There we ended up rebuilding the stacks from roof level using an engineering brick core and the original stone as facing. Probably a bit extreme for you! As an aside we also had problems with the walls as well. They were half a metre thick with a brick inner skin, sandstone outer and rubble fill. The horizontal rain that occurred up there penetrated the full thickness of the wall - we had to resin treat them.
I would also say try and have a discussion with the local conservation officer if you have not done so already. They probably have a lot of experience with issues like this with the types of construction in your area. They will certainly advise what resin treatment they will allow
Good luck
Andrew
Andrew
1985 S3 1700 XFlow. Undergoing full restoration
GRADE TWO. 17 CENTURY THATCHED HOUSE FOR SALE
derek
we have two hundred year old cottage in IOM ,,,with a few water leaks ,,,it's a bastard and hard to fix ,had a few so called roofing specialists ,, that translates to a shower of dick heads ,, Good look it's a nightmare ,,go down to of liecence few bottles of wine makes it easier
Derek,
I thought you were a builder?
Electrician in the building trade ,,,built and sold a few spec builds ,,,plus couple blocks of flats ,,,trouble is ,,as am retired old fart ,,all of good lads I worked with are either ,dead ,,,,retired ,,,or annoying aussie Bruce ,,,,when get any body round for diff jobs ,,just listen to the crap they come out with and the prices they quote ,,,even I cannot repeat what I tell them to do ,,,feel sorry for piers , as now trying to get a good honest tradesman is a bloody nightmare ,,that's here but think it poss as bad in UK ,, plus half have not got a bloody clue ,,last one I had round to put few tiles back on roof came round ,I had scaffold tower up ,as I was doing work on guttering ,,,roofer came round started coming out with crap ,,I said bloody shut it ,,,,go up scaffold ,have a look ,,, he said I will just take few photos from here as don't like hieghts ,,go back to office work price out ,,give you a ring ,,,my response ,,go back to office ,, don't bother with price go in a corner shove the phone up your jacksie ,,,he was not amused and left ,,,
you have my sympathy Piers ,,good luck ,,after this post you poss need to get two bottles of wine
Derek
No point in being a labourer if you are not prepared to lift things.
But Derek, try to be helpful please.
Stephen
Democratic dissent is not disloyalty, it is a positive civic duty
Hi Stephen ,,,sorry if my language is a bit blunt at times ,,just me ,,just putting a few thoughts ,,as said ,,building trade now as far as my experience is a nightmare to get ,some one round to give a honest opinion and a fair price
please note Stephen not one bad word ,,mind you just cooked tea ,,,cut up big red Chile pepper then wiped my eyes ,,,I could have been banned for life ,if it had gone on BC. What I said ,,,just glad did not go for a wee wee ,,( am I ok to say wee wee )
I suppose I better give my apologies for the language I use ,,,hope it does not upset to many ,,,or as they say ,,,tough ???
HI PIERS IF YOU READ THIS HOPE IT PUTS A SMILE ON YOUR FACE TAKES YOUR THOUGHTS OF YOUR CHIMNEY ,HOPE NOT OFFENDED YOU IN ANY WAY
derek