chimney breast

Hello, We had new led flashings fitted. We seem to still have leaks coming through around the chimney- the roofer has returned 4 times to try to remediate but it's still leaking somewhere and we're not sure where/what to do. Please see pics. We're also not sure if those wet patches on the...

Hi We own a 1850s (may be earlier) stone house and have begun exploring whether we can expose the fireplace in the living room. We have located the height at which the original (very large) stones are. Below that is loose (by just touch) smaller stone. However, on the sides of the current...

Morning, I had to remove a shower room due to cracked soil pipe next door to it. Digging out quote alot of damp earth the external wall is exposed but there's a second on the left that has what it appears as though a concrete like substance on the wall (parging?) but on the bottom there is a...

hi everyone, first post on here. We have recently had our spare bedroom plastered and over the last couple of months this damp has spread and is now showing brown spots. We are in the process of getting quotes for removing/re rendering the chimney stack. Can anybody advise why it is brown? Is...

I have posted this on roofing forum so apologies for repost. We have recently purchased a late Victorian end stone terrace property as our first home and are encountering lots of issues which is proving disheartening and costly! We were aware of damp issues in the upstairs bedroom on the...

Hi, Hoping you can help guide me with some of your thoughts with a damp problem I’m having in two upstairs bedrooms off the chimney. This seems to have been more of a problem in one room than the other for some time although in our other room the paint was cracking around this area which makes...

Hi all, am hoping for some advice. I have recently moved into a circa 1900 stone built farm cottage. I have a growing wet patch on an upstairs bedroom (gable end) wall and ceiling. I had the pointing done as was told that would solve the issue, but it hasn't made a bit of difference. The rain...

Hi all, We live in a 1930s semi, we have an old chimney flue outside (old cooking flue?). A this time of year we always get condensation on the inside bedroom 3 wall, definitely not damp as it dries out very quickly with a window being open (difference inside to outside temps). We've had the...

Hi, full disclosure. Ive never done any plastering, or indoor house painting and plan to do both for our home (Probably not all at once mind you). The question I have is regarding refining the wall surface before painting. Ive removed the majority of wall paper (still need to clean a little...

Ground floor internal wall with a sealed up chimney breast has a damp patch. The previous owners removed the chimney breast from the 1st floor (making the bathroom larger). The chimney breast is still in place on the ground floor. We spotted a damp patch about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way up the wall...

Hello, Trying to open up the chimney for a log burner but hit a problem. I’ve got this far and already hit the bottom of the gather only 80cm off the floor, this is where an old lintel currently sits. Can I keep opening up upwards removing the gather at the side? My corner is nothing would...

Good evening, I’ve an attic room that’s got the chimneys coming up through it. The top plaster went flaky and started to go yellow. We had a damp company out they investigated and said it was condensation. My wife he attempted to fix the damaged area and it’s just starting cracking and...

Hi all, considering buying a 30s semi and noticed a couple of dodgy-looking areas on the walls during our viewing. Would really appreciate a second opinion from anyone with a bit of experience in these things. Firstly beneath the bay window in the lounge, there is a large area that looks...

Hi Looking to install a log burner. After opening up a fireplace we'd ideally like the oak beam to site close to the opening but all I can read is that there is a minimum of 3 x flue size. Is there a way to reduce this and how would it work?

I want to install a log burner in this opening. It has a brick arch lintel that sits fairly low (84cm if you include the bricks at the base). I want to install a lintel and box it off but I'm struggling to work out how I can do this in the least invasive way possible. I think at the very least...

Hi all, Currently renovating 1930s house and started removing some plaster from a bricked up fire place to open in back up. Part way up the plaster changes from what looks like normal multi-finish to what looks like multi-finish with asbestos within it? Was asbestos ever used in wet plaster...

Hi there, looking for any advice and help. We have recently renovated our house (built in 1963), standard brick construction. When we moved in, we had a 70s mistermister type gas fire. We had this disconnected and the small builders opening plastered over. I have attached pictures, for...

Hi, We're in the process of renovating our living room and are replacing the old gas fire with a fake/electric woodburner. Had the fire removed and gas supply capped off and now we've got round to removing the fire surround, mantel etc. Bit disappointed to find some questionable brickwork...

Hi We removed the part of the chimney in our bathroom last year. (Did inform the neighbours) and the reminder was supported by the gallows brackets etc... neighbour was happy for us to remove the part of the chimney and all hunky dory. Build control passed the inspection and got the Completion...

Hello, I'm moving into my house next week and one of the first things I want to do is remove the existing gas fire and surround (see image below) and put in a gas or electric stove (a proper wood burner wouldn't work with the existing flue from what I've been told). As you can see, the chimney...