Whether it is still functioning or just for decoration, a chimney breast can add a lot to a room. Unfortunately, they can also become magnets for unsightly patches of damp and mould.

There are a few different causes for a damp chimney breast. However, once you figure out which is behind your problem, it can be simple to fix. Adding some damp proofing measures will prevent the damp from becoming a big problem. First, you’ve got to figure out what can cause damp on a chimney breast.

Damp on a chimney breast is caused by moisture building up and soaking into the wall. This can be from rainwater getting in or condensation. It could even be from salts drawing moisture into the walls themselves. These are the most common causes of damp on a chimney breast. Once you determine which of these causes is to blame, you can take some steps to stop the damp.

Common Causes of a Damp Chimney Breast Explained

A damp chimney breast can be from a few different things. These are the common causes that might be to blame:

• Condensation – Condensation can build up in and around your chimney. Hot moist air settles on the cold surfaces of your chimney breast and turns into moisture. This can soak into your wall and cause damp and mould.
• External Water Like Rain – Outside water like rain can get onto the walls of your chimney through the top of your chimney stack. If your walls are unprotected, it can soak in and become damp.
• Salts Drawing Moisture In – Hygroscopic salt is a by-product of burning fuels like coal and gas. Unfortunately, when you burn coal in your chimney, these salts can end up on your chimney breast. These salts have the nasty habit of drawing moisture in. This can lead to damp forming.
• Roof Leaks – In some situations, the problem might be caused by defects on your roof. This could be problems around the chimney, or the stack itself. Holes, cracks, and damage to things such as pointing, and flashing will let rainwater in.

How to Find the Cause of Damp on a Chimney Breast

Since there are a few common causes of a damp chimney breast, it is important to figure out which is to blame for your problems. Below are a few ways to figure out what is to blame:

• Check Your Roof – It is a good idea to have a quick look at your roof. If possible, stand back from your property, and try to see if there are any visible problems with your mortar, tiles, or flashing around the chimney. This could be the cause of your damp.
• Top of Chimney – Check the top of your chimney and see if they have caps fitted. If they don’t, or if the existing caps are damaged, this could be letting water in. In this case you will need to add a cap, or replace the existing cap. Also, if your chimney is completely sealed, there is a chance this will be trapping condensation inside.
• Check Loft Space – If you have access to your loft space, head in there to check your chimney stack. If it is damp that high up, then the culprit is probably rainwater getting in. Once you know this, you should have a good idea of how to treat it. In most cases this will involve getting help from a professional roofer.
• Salts – If you’re burning fossil fuels like coal in your chimney, then hygroscopic salts might well be the cause. In more severe cases these salts will be physically visible to see on the chimney breast.
• Condensation – If the cause of your damp is just condensation, it could be present in other areas of the room. This is usually a sign of poor circulation in the room itself. If your chimney breast is cold, it will create a dew point. This means it is like a magnet to warm moist air.

Going through those tests should help you identify which type of damp you have in your chimney breast, which will make it easier to fix.

Ways to Treat a Damp Chimney Breast

How you go about treating a damp chimney breast is going to depend on what the cause for your damp is. You need to deal with the root cause of the damp first and then proceed with adding the necessary protection. Below are some solutions to each type:

Rain Entering The Chimney

The process of fixing damp from rain and outside weather will require you or a professional to access the roof. The first thing to do is check your chimney pots. If these are broken, they’ll need repairing or a cap added to protect them. Open chimney pots may even need a cap fitting if they are not damaged. It is important to not seal the chimney off entirely though. This will make your airflow substantially worse and lead to damp from condensation. Fixing the chimney pots should allow you to stop the cause of the damp.

Problems with Roofing or Chimney Defects

If the problem is being caused by defects on your roof, it will be necessary to repair any cracks or holes that have formed up there. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, getting a roofer in to fix things can be a low-cost way to fix the problem.

Condensation Damp

Condensation damp is caused by hot air that has built up hitting a cold surface. There are many things you can do to cut down on this. However, ventilation and good air circulation inside the room are the main things to address for condensation.

Also, make sure that your chimney isn’t blocked, poor ventilation inside the chimney can cause hot air to build up. This can cause condensation internally. Fitting a vent, or a cap to your chimney pot will allow air to escape, which makes it one of the best ways to treat this problem. This might be a bit more costly, but it is a permanent solution to the problem.

Hygroscopic Salts

If the cause of your damp chimney breast is from hygroscopic salts when you’re burning fuel, then there is a simple solution and a harder solution. The first is to stop burning coal. Although, this is probably not going to be the solution that you want!

You can instead fit materials to your chimney stack to protect it against these salts. This way you can continue to use your chimney.

You will need to treat the walls of your chimney stack and the chimney breast with a salt-inhibitor. This is generally a first layer to adding some damp proofing too. When combined, they will protect against hygroscopic salts.

Stopping Damp Penetrating Your Chimney

As well as addressing any issues with the ventilation or roofing, you can damp proof the walls of your chimney breast. This will make sure that moisture doesn’t soak in.

Common ways of waterproofing a chimney breast will include painting with a damp proof paint, or installing a damp proof membrane.

Adding a membrane or damp proof paint to the surface, may require some additional cosmetic repairs, such as replastering and repainting. However, it should completely waterproof your wall against any future damp.

Conclusion

Damp in a chimney breast can be an unsightly problem with quite a few common causes.

Finding out which one is at the root of your damp will mean doing a little investigative work. However, once you find the cause, you can go about fixing the source of the damp and protecting your chimney breast against future damp.

While damp can be a problem year-round, it thrives in winter. It can be frustrating to have a damp problem flare up from something as unpreventable as the weather. No matter which type of damp you have, the cold and extra rain is going to take a toll.

Damp does get worse in the winter. At this time of year, temperatures are lower and there is considerably more rain. This creates the perfect conditions for damp. The extra rain on walls and the grounds make penetrating and rising damp worse. The wind and rain can also cause damage to your roof, leading to leaks and damp ceilings and walls. General heating of your home can even contribute to condensation damp.

The Main Reasons That Damp Gets Worse in Winter

Different types of damp are going to be affected in different ways by the changing seasons. Below are some of the main reasons for damp getting worse in the winter:

• More Condensation – In the winter, more condensation is going to build up through keeping the house warm. Heating, drying clothes indoors, bathing, cooking, and rapid changes in temperature all contribute. This will lead to more condensation damp.
• Cold Air Outside – The cold air makes a big difference to the temperature of walls inside and out. This causes your walls to be cooler and creates due points which is a place for condensation to settle.
• Rain – With more rain, there is more water building up on your walls and the ground. This can fuel penetrating and rising damp. Especially, if you have problems with your brickwork. It can also make roof damage and leaks worse.
• Storms – Wind and heavy weather can cause roof and gutter damage. As a result, rainwater can enter the property and cause damp. It can also drive rain into other structural issues, which could contribute to penetrating damp.

Most Common Winter Damp Problems

Damp gets worse in winter, but not every type is the same. The exact cause of your damp is going to vary depending on the type. These are the most common winter damp problems:

• Condensation Damp – This occurs when moist warm air becomes trapped and hits cool walls to form condensation, which becomes damp.
• Rising Damp – Rising damp is where moisture is drawn up from the floor into holes in your brickwork. It then soaks through and becomes damp.
• Penetrating Damp – This form of damp is where moisture is drawn through brickwork and into the wall. It happens when rainwater comes through holes in your brickwork. It then soaks into the plaster on the interior side.
• Leaking roofs – This is an extremely common problem in winter. Water comes through the roof and soaks into the ceiling. This can cause considerable damage, especially if it is left untreated.

How to Winter-Proof Your Home From Damp

Damp might get worse in the winter, but there are some things you can do to deal with it. The measures that you take are going to depend on which type of damp that you have. Below are some common solutions to deal with each:

How to Deal with Condensation Damp in Winter

Condensation damp has to be treated by dealing with the root causes. These are some things you can do to cut down on condensation:

• Ventilation – Open doors and windows more.
• Vents – Make the most of air vents in bathrooms and kitchens. Putting one into a bathroom is going to be a big help if you don’t have one.
• Furniture – Avoid putting furniture against exterior walls. It can trap moist air behind a cold surface.
• Drying Clothes, Washing, and Cooking – Open a window when doing these things as they all add a lot of moisture to the air.
• Heating – Increase the temperature in your house gradually. Rapid changes lead to condensation.

How to Deal with Penetrating Damp in Winter

Penetrating damp is a little trickier to deal with since it involves more of a structural problem. These are some ways you can prevent penetrating damp in the winter:

• Pointing – This is the finish applied to the mortar between your brickwork. It helps to keep it waterproof, but over time it erodes. If you have problems with your pointing, the extra rain of winter will come through. Repairing this gives you an extra line of defence against penetrating damp.
• Rendering – Rendering can be applied to your walls to seal the brickwork off from the rain. For houses that are already rendered, it will wear over time and will need repairs. Defects can start to allow moisture in. Fixing rendering will seal it up and stop moisture from entering your property.
• Painting – Exterior damp paint can be used to block out water and damp proof a wall. If you are worried about damp, then applying damp proof paint earlier in the year may be a good solution to avoid damp in the winter months.

How to Deal with Rising Damp in Winter

Rising damp is similar to penetrating damp. Although, the moisture travels vertically rather than horizontally. In winter, the extra rain can make it a real problem. This is what you need to do in winter to get ahead of rising damp:

• Repairing damaged DPC – Damp proof courses are a protective barrier that stop water rising through the brickwork in your property. If it fails, there are DIY ways to repair it, such as injecting a chemical DPC. This fills the small holes in the mortar and brickwork through cappilary action. This creates a secondary DPC.
  Repairing or replacing the DPC can stop your rising damp from spreading through the winter.
• Paint – Damp proof or damp resistant paint will not always be a complete solution. However, it can be applied to walls that have problems with rising damp. It can work particularly well on stone walls in cellars, which are quite exposed to the extra water over the winter.

How to Deal with Damp Ceilings in Winter

Damp ceilings are usually caused by leaks in your roof or guttering. Leaks caused by damage are much more common in the winter. If your roof is letting in water, then it needs fixing. The same goes for guttering. The winter can make these problems a lot worse. If you have access to your loft, this can help you identify where the water is coming from.

Winter storms might mean that you need some work done on your roof at a short notice. Keep an eye out for damage, and you should be able to act before damp starts becoming an issue

Conclusion

The winter months are going to make most types of damp worse. Ideally you should try and identify issues earlier in the year. All types of damp are likely to cause more problems during the winter months. The good news is, all types of damp can be treated, no matter what season it is. Some solutions may just require more work if you do not spot them early.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as legal advice. Writers at thedampbuster.com are not a legal professional. You should check your lease and speak with a qualified legal professional. This article is just information gathered from our own research and experience.

If you live in a leasehold property, you may know that the laws surrounding these properties are confusing at the best of times. When there is an issue with a leasehold flat, this can make things even more complicated. In this article, we are going to explain damp in leasehold flats. We are also going to look at the dangers of not treating damp and more. Let’s start off with who is responsible for the damp, shall we?

Who’s obligated to sort out damp in a leasehold flat?

Most commonly, it is the freeholder’s responsibility to sort out any issues with the exterior of a leasehold property. This means that if you have rising damp or penetrating damp, the freeholder should sort this out. However, that isn’t always the case. Responsibility for repairs of a leasehold property is set out in the lease itself. You will need to read your lease to determine who is responsible for sorting out your damp issues.

If your lease states that the freeholder has to repair exterior damage, for example. This means that the freeholder will have to repair or replace a damp proof course if it is causing rising damp. However, the freeholder will not have to repair any plaster, furniture or flooring that has been damaged by the rising damage. If the damp in your property has been caused by a leaking pipe inside the property, the freeholder isn’t responsible in most cases. If the property has any shared spaces (communal stairways, etc.), repairs in these areas can also be the freeholder’s responsibility.

Your lease will outline who’s responsible for any and all repairs. If you’re in a dispute with the freeholder over damp issues, check your lease. You’ll also want to confirm what type of damp is affecting the property. If the damp is caused by an issue inside the flat, it could be your responsibility to solve.

When should you call the freeholder?

Noticed any signs of damp in your flat? Call the freeholder straight away. The quicker you diagnose damp and sort out the issues causing it, the better. The signs of damp in a property do depend on the type of damp you have. Still, here are some general signs of damp:

• Peeling wallpaper
• Damp patches on the walls
• Mould
• A mouldy/musty smell
• Walls, ceilings and floors feeling cold or damp
• Condensation on the windows

These are all indicators of damp. You don’t need to see all of these signs to have damp in your home. In fact, some of these signs of damp point to different types. For example, if you notice isolated patches of damp on your wall, chances are that’s penetrating damp. If you see damp floorboards, that is likely rising damp. Different types of damp require different treatment. If you notice damp patches on your ceiling, for example, that could be a burst pipe. Your first call, in that case, should be to a plumber.

Identifying the cause of damp

If you have damp in a leasehold flat, finding out the cause of it is vital. Without knowing what is causing the damp, you can’t treat it. Neither can the freeholder if it is their responsibility. Here is a brief breakdown of the common types of damp.

Rising damp – This damp will only affect ground floor flats. This damp occurs when the mortar and brickwork in a building soak up water from the ground. This is due to either having a faulty damp proof course or not having one at all. If you notice damp in the floor or lower portion of the walls, it is likely rising damp.

Penetrating damp – This damp can affect any property. Moisture can get into the brickwork of a property through cracks in mortar and damaged bricks. Penetrating damp almost always gets worse with heavy, driving rain. As more moisture is pushed into the building, more signs should become apparent. Like the patches of damp we mentioned earlier.

Condensation – Excessive condensation can mean that a property has poor ventilation. It can also mean that the roof isn’t insulated correctly. Condensation is a sign that there is too much water vapour in your home. There are many reasons for this, though. It can be poor ventilation. However, it can also be because the house is too cold, for example.

If you notice any signs of damp in your property, you should let the freeholder know. Whether they are responsible or not, it is worth making them aware. If you live in a block of flats, also let your neighbours know. You might not be the only people who have damp.

The danger of leaving damp untreated

If you notice damp and do not do anything about it, you’re risking a lot. Firstly, things like rising damp can rot away floorboards and floor joists. This can mean that the floor will cave in. However, any type of damp can cause mould. Black mould, the type of mould that all damp causes, is life-threatening. If you have a pre-existing lung problem, you smoke, you have young kids or elderly relatives, your damp could be extremely dangerous.

Damp is a serious problem but is often quite easy to fix. Once you know the damp causing your issues, you can easily fix it with a host of DIY treatments. Ignoring it though, may end with some hazardous side-effects. If you notice any mould in your leasehold property, you have damp, and you need to sort it out.

What if the freeholder won’t fix the damp issues?

If the freeholder refuses to fix your damp issues, you can take them to court. However, check your lease before you do this! As we said, it might not be the freeholder’s responsibility to fix the damp. The freeholder may only be responsible for repairing the exterior of your property. If your damp was caused by something inside your property, the freeholder doesn’t need to fix it.

When you know the cause of your damp (if it’s been diagnosed by experts) that’s a different matter. If your damp issues are being caused by something that the freeholder is responsible for fixing, you may be able to take them to court. Just remember, though, court costs might be a lot higher than fixing the issue yourself. As we said, there are plenty of DIY options for fixing damp. It might be better to treat the damp yourself than go through the courts. Of course, that’s entirely up to you.

Conclusion

There you have it. That is everything that a leaseholder in a flat need to know about damp. Finding out what type of damp is causing your issue is the best place to start. Then, look at your lease. Find out what the freeholder is responsible for. Then, decide what actions to take. If it is your responsibility, there are plenty of ways to solve your damp issues that don’t cost the earth. If you see symptoms of damp in your leasehold property, take steps to solve it as quickly as you can!