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- 29 Jun 2023
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In 2023 I had a chimney leak where the chimney stack below the roof line was getting extremely damp to about 1/3rd of the way down the stack below the roof line. In Jan 2024 we had the chimney sorted; all new lead, chimney pots and cowl all checked, new concrete flaunching and all mortar checked. I think they applied a stone sealer as well but unsure.
However, 3 months later there is a lot of efflorescence forming on a few of the exposed bricks in the loft but only about 1/2 way down to top 1/3rd of the chimney stack, nothing at the top where the roof line is. Bricks and timber bone dry even during rain but efflorescence still forming. I have included pictures of the bricks, I have wiped the efflorescence off but the entire brick was white with thick efflorescence on the bits outlined in red. Picture of chimney also attached. Oddly it is also forming on bricks that are part of the dividing wall between properties so not even in direct contact with the chimney stack.
No staining or salts coming through on the plastered chimney breast in the converted attic bedroom, picture attached.
There is a gas fire underneath on the ground floor with a flue and the fireplace in the middle bedroom has been sealed. No other signs of issues on the chimney apart from this efflorescence on the exposed bricks in the loft.
What could be causing this? I don't think it's an external leak as surely the top rows of bricks would be suffering as well? Just weird the efflorescence is forming on the bricks mid way up the stack and no plaster staining unless it is just the bricks drying out gradually as I imagine they were saturated for some time before I noticed and got the chimney sorted.
However, 3 months later there is a lot of efflorescence forming on a few of the exposed bricks in the loft but only about 1/2 way down to top 1/3rd of the chimney stack, nothing at the top where the roof line is. Bricks and timber bone dry even during rain but efflorescence still forming. I have included pictures of the bricks, I have wiped the efflorescence off but the entire brick was white with thick efflorescence on the bits outlined in red. Picture of chimney also attached. Oddly it is also forming on bricks that are part of the dividing wall between properties so not even in direct contact with the chimney stack.
No staining or salts coming through on the plastered chimney breast in the converted attic bedroom, picture attached.
There is a gas fire underneath on the ground floor with a flue and the fireplace in the middle bedroom has been sealed. No other signs of issues on the chimney apart from this efflorescence on the exposed bricks in the loft.
What could be causing this? I don't think it's an external leak as surely the top rows of bricks would be suffering as well? Just weird the efflorescence is forming on the bricks mid way up the stack and no plaster staining unless it is just the bricks drying out gradually as I imagine they were saturated for some time before I noticed and got the chimney sorted.
