Tackling Sulphates on a Chimney Breast

If you have this issue on a ground floor room don’t let anyone tell you it’s water coming down the chimney.

[@bendeighton9844]

Love the videos Sam always learning from every one 👍🏻

[@dampsam]

Ben & Abi thank you for your support 🙏

[@richardtaylor8790]

Interesting vid, thanks. Just wanted to offer some personal experience in that, it is very possible for rain to get all the way down to the hearth. While renovating our chimney breast, I've seen it happen after heavy rain fall, leaving a damp patch in the centre of the hearth. Not a huge amount, but enough for it to remain damp for a couple of days even in the summer. Two story Edwardian house with fireplace openings in the two rooms downstairs and the two rooms above. I wouldn't have thought it would be possible either with all the angles involved.

[@dampsam]

Yes I need to do a follow up video because iv seen some chimney flues that don’t have bends and iv looked up and could see out the top, I was referring to the old Victorian chimney stacks we get round here

[@sohiab]

I think I am experiencing this issue with a Victorian home I've replaced tiles, flashing and repointed. Yes during heavy rain breat is wet

[@willm437]

Cool video mate I really like when you tell us all about the new products and systems that you are using. It's really interesting 👍👍

[@dampsam]

will m thank you I’ll keep showing them if there decent 👍

[@willm437]

@@dampsam yeah but even the bad ones are interesting because it shows you are a normal

[@willm437]

Person

[@willm437]

Sorry about that pressed the wrong button before typing

[@gdfggggg]

Coat the brick in 50/50 SBR/cement. No more salts. Dab or render. Vent chimney.

[@Wassalaam92]

Thanks for video sam. I live in an end terrace house, the outside wall gets a lot of rain. Outside wall also has chimney, with chimney breast in living room. Under the open fireplace (working but rarely used), i have brown coloured stains, the wall is really cold at the bottom too, even the two front walls either side of the chimney breast are really cold at the bottom. They are either cold or damp, not sure, but there's a slight musty smell. The bottom of the skirtings were also soft and damp. I have no vents on that wall, neither internally nor externally. Would appreciate some advice!

[@dampsam]

Hi, sounds like there is some sulphate salt contamination on and around the chimney breast. As far as the musty smell, check what plaster is on the wall first. Walls that have been dry lined with plasterboard and plasterboard adhesive will smell when wet and damp, but also check if you have a timber subfloor that nothing is decaying below like the timbers.

[@Wassalaam92]

@@dampsam thanks for reply. The floor is solid floor, and I'm not sure if wall is plasterboard. A roofer said it's a problem with chimney leak, others saying it's not otherwise there would be damp upstairs too

[@reinerberridge6112]

Just started watching your videos and finding them realy useful. We recently movd into a 1910,s terraced house and I have recently found issues which I thought were down to water coming down the chimney but on reflection I am sure its down to sulphates on chimney breast. On inspection there are no ventalation grills at bottom of chimney. Chimney pots are open. I have been advised to still get the chimney potts covered with vented caps to allow for air circulation but to protect from rain. Based on your video, is it worth me bothering with the chimney caps or not. To be fair the quote to have them caped off is very reasonable.

[@dampsam]

Yes always Capp the pots if there not in use, try get a spinning cowl put on and vent the fireplace , thanks for watching 👍

[@joshuastebbing7408]

I have a question regarding airflow. If I have the chimney stack removed down below the roof line, to the loft space. Could it help the salts issue? There would technically still be airflow through to the loft space right? Would it help that there would be less moisture getting into the chimney breast from the outside? Or does it not work like that?

[@dampsam]

It’s doesn’t work like that, it’s from condensation forming inside a bit like it sweating

[@yeemeitan3899]

What is barrier on the surface that you suggested please? I have a damp patch in my mid terrace house living room. However, the chimney breast is at the back of that wall , within my neighbour's property. The chimney is completely removed and covered with roof slates. There is vent in neighbours chimney breast. I have just replastered the wall, hence, I am more keen on having some barrier on the plaster surface to hacking it down. Hopefully you could provide some advice on this? Thank you

[@dampsam]

The barrier system we use is called The DryFlex system by Safeguard Europe

[@versailleaaron3475]

Please damp Sam come over to Chester I need help here , chimney damp . I will update the mars to french croissants .

[@smiler921]

My fireplace is full of the fluffy white salt crystals coming through and between the brickwork. Right mess. Obviously been covered up previously.

[@dampsam]

You should go on the PCA website and do a postcode search for your nearest qualified surveyor who will diagnose it for you and give you a price to solve the issue

[@Casualclips17]

Thanks for this, don't suppose you Do work in East Yorkshire

[@dampsam]

Yes we do paid surveys in east Yorks

[@babab0y]

How much is it to put a barrier onto plaster? Got a few small patchs of what is apparently damp on the chimney Brest but dunno if it’s caused by salts.

[@dampsam]

Everyone charges different there are no set prices

[@markwheeler3375]

Hi been watching your vids I have exactly same patches in my loft conversion on the chimney breast, patches are bone dry, in time I want to obviously sort the situation out i.e. the dry flex. In your opinion if go untreated for a while is it more a cosmetic issue or could it cause damage behind? Chimney breast has been dot and dabbed and skimmed. Many thanks

[@dampsam]

Make sure the fireplace and chimney is vented. Without seeing the patches I can’t really say what’s needed.

[@markwheeler3375]

Thank you m8

[@beverleytsiomas5321]

I know this is 11 months ago but its exactly the issue I now have. Im in Rotherham ...Is there a video of how you fixed this?

[@dampsam]

Iv sent you details of how to get in touch on your email Beverley

[@holycowbmxman]

Hi, pretty sure i have a similar problem. When capping a chimney would air bricks right at top suffice? Or best to install a cowl or CF1 type pot? Currently its just a solid patio slab compo'd on and the air bricks just under that for each old flue.

[@holycowbmxman]

Also presume its a case of pulling plaster off if the salts are embedded into it, then barrier and re plaster?

[@dampsam]

You could put an air brick in the side where the flies are or spinning cowls on top

[@holycowbmxman]

@@dampsam spinning cowl, interesting. Will look into it, thanks for the reply 💪🏼

[@johncarton8810]

Hi since i got a stove in few years ago im having these problems on chimney brest paint is bubbling in a couple of places. I've painted over it and i keeps happening the plaster is sound. Is there any product you can recommend to paint onto the plaster to stop it happening. I firmly believe its because of the stove when they put the flexy flue in they cemented tthe top of chimney which stop air flow we have no issues with the open fire in the other room. If there is a barrier coating that u know of i could use it would be great. Thanks

[@dampsam]

Without actually seeing what’s happening it’s hard to make a call John

[@johncarton8810]

Ok I'm going to tackle it in the summer its only happening in two place on one side of chimney. We built house 23years ago. I'll remove all the paint on that side and go from there. Thanks

[@keithlittle293]

Normal plaster over tanking? Or lime.. Guess no point using lime based if tanked right??

[@keithlittle293]

If you tanked the brick after taking off plaster I meant

[@dampsam]

🤷🏻‍♂️

[@COULT66]

How can I contact you to ask a couple of questions ?

[@dampsam]

Join our facebook group called Why is my property damp damp Sam

[@rossfisher1421]

hi there im selling my house and the sevoyour found salts in my chinney on the top floor of my house all been re plastered and only a little patch he said it would be a big and expensive job and have to rip off all plaster . i thought it sounded silly for a tiny little patch . can i have some advice on what to do or stuff to use

[@dampsam]

ross fisher hi, send me the pictures to our what’s app and I’ll comment on them for you 07973748566

[@danieljohnston4480]

@@dampsam Hi Sam / Simon. We have a similar issue and some water issues in other areas. We are located in Rochdale, are you able to look at for us? Cheers, Dan

[@dampsam]

@@danieljohnston4480 you can send pictures to our WhatsApp [phone] and I’ll try and comment for you, we can do surveys and there is a charge for the report

[@mauricereidy9034]

Not a clue wally, bluffer knows nothing about Building Sceince all his works will not solve the problems. Damp Sam, more like Damp Squid.

[@dampsam]

Come have a coffee n a chat with me and sit face to face then you can see if I know anything on damp. It could be the damp squid verses the jelly fish with no backbone 🤣🐙🍄

[@joefowler9600]

Obviously, you've been watching Peter Ward. Please explain how you would tackle the issue in this video.

[@kevindrake4852]

It's "Damp Squib" all squids are damp they live in the bloody sea. Also don't try and slag someone off whos clearly helping many.

[@gdfggggg]

Peter ward is your god.