Sometimes with these damp patches that many people don’t understand, comes a huge financial cost. Hygroscopic salts and deliquescent salts can be a problem from the long term burning of fossil fuels, and unfortunately many roofers will keep specifying repairs until you get fed up paying them.
Did you know there is only one way to confirm if your chimney is damp from penetrating damp or salts? The laboratory methodology in BRE DIGEST 245 is the correct way to do this, and something I have been doing since 2014. By doing many samples and surveys over these years specifically on damp chimney issues, we can guarantee to help you get to the bottom of your problem.
damp chimney?
The above image shows the wall within the chimney appears to be damp from penetrating damp issues. Is it?
DAMP CHIMNEY?
The above image shows the run marks down the chimney, and most people would expect this to be from penetrating damp or condensation. Is it?
The above image shows the relative humidity at the boundary layer at just over 81%, which is high.
The above image shows one of the samples being weighed just after it’s been removed from the oven, to determine if its lots weight. Previously the samples had been in the desiccant chambers, reaching equilibrium at 75% humidity.
The above image shows the filtered mortar sample ready for chemical analysis to see if chlorides and nitrates are present. These are hygroscopic salts that can absorb humidity from the air, and give the appearance the wall is damp from say penetrating damp.
This procedure will give my client the necessary advice moving forward, and most importantly they will be spending the money on the correct repair.
If you think you could benefit from some analysis to prove what is going on with your damp chimney breast, or even a rising damp issue, you can send samples in to me to check for you. This is so much cheaper than paying a damp specialist that can’t be 100% certain if they don’t do this check. If you need further info email enquiries@completpreservation.co.uk
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Welcome to Complete Preservations blog 
It’s been very interesting reading your blog and watching your videos Ross. I certainly am ‘gutted’ that the money I’ve spent on these pesky damp issues might not be because of the rain. I would be interested in picking your brains about getting some samples to you to be certain with what’s going on. What is the best way to contact you please?
Hi Bryan, unfortunately it isn’t unusual with this type of problem. drop me an email enquiries@completepreservation.co.uk and we can
discuss 🙂