Thanks all for input so far.
One additional question: the roofer repointed the chimneys at the time of doing the roof. I’ve attached a picture of them below. What are people’s views on the pointing? Look ok? I ask because the different shades look a bit unusual to my untrained eye. Could this be a source of the problem? I don’t think the chimney was painted with storm dry when it was worked on. If I did this would it protect both the bricks and pointing?
