If stains also appear on the chimney breast this is a sign that tar or acids have condensed and are eating into the chimney mortar and brickwork. If they are you need to act quickly to sort the problem out. Other visual signs can be a damp chimney breast and ceiling, damp walls either side of your chimney breast, damp in your loft or attic space around the chimney area or even damp halfway up a chimney breast. What to do with loose bricks found in chimney breast diy. Some signs include brown plaster staining on your chimney breast or you might have damp patches on your chimney breast that come and go. The bricks then sag and cracks appear to the right and left of the window area. Reasons for cracks in plaster and best way to fix it. Large uninsulated flues require a lot of heat and fuel to make them draw. It is typically much harder, and very easily distinguishable from a plaster and lathe wall. The removed chimney was heavy duty blocks and the roofers said they were saturated.
Do cracks in my walls indicate a structural problem. Fluffy white salts on a chimney breast wall, showing rusty angle bead. The plaster on brick will have a much different sound, if you tap on it. Effective repair of cracks in masonry walls typically involves widening the crack, cleaning its contents and filling it with repair mortar or flexible sealant. Deteriorated flashing should be replaced or repaired with a high. Dont let santa get damp dealing with a damp chimney damp. However there is a chance the plaster can crack due to the extreme temperatures which deems the job useless. Apr 04, 20 hairline cracks in the plasterboard of a refurbished midterrace in january 20 i bought a refurbished midterrace house built circa 1900. It is fairly easy to find out if plaster is over brick or lathe. I have the same problem with a crack on the chimney breast in our case the plaster is blown come away from the wall behind and as a result cracked with the heat. Salt contaminated chimney in brighton fixed using dryzone system. In may this year 2011 damp patches started to appear on the chimney breast in the upstairs room, followed by a crack in the plaster of the wall next to the chimney, and now some damp spreading on the ceiling area. If you live in a region with extreme climates, the freezethaw effect may result in problems with your chimney.
Here we explain some of the most common reasons chimney bricks form cracks. Can removal of a chimney breast cause your neighbours problems. If your foundation isnt stable or the soil your foundation sits on is unstable your chimney will start to lean or bricks will crack. Chimneys are often positioned in exposed areas of the roof, and crumbling can occur due to weathering even if other brickwork around your. In knocking through in this way, the plaster coving will probably crack but can. We have over 10 years experience in chimneys, flue liners and fireplaces, and have worked on a wide variety of projects around the uk.
You can tell if its blown by tappingknocking on the plaster around the crack and it sounds hollow compared to else where on the chimney breast. Cassette woodburner and cracking plaster diynot forums. No matter how well the chimney is built, there will always be cracks in a fieldstone chimney. Do i need heat resistant plaster around a woodburner. Stone chimneys are build in a similar manner as brick chimneys. Removing a chimney breast from a room in your house will help create more space. We had a new roof installed and it leaked around the chimney, into our attic then seeped down into our hallway.
Some signs include brown plaster staining on your chimney breast or you. Are you wondering what causes cracks in a chimney because youve discovered that your chimney is damaged. Check your chimneys flashing to prevent water leaks and damage to your home, look for loose, missing, cracked or damaged flashings. Your builder will need to support any breast or stack above the breast you want him to remove. We are installing a wood burning stove into an existing fireplace. Chimney leaks finding and repairing chimney leaks video. Apr 14, 20 just removed the chimney breast and the next step will be to get it all plastered over, but dont want the soot on the old render seeping through after. There seems to be some difference of opinion in the posts above as to whether this is acceptable cracks. Dont use a lightweight gypsum based plaster to repair the damage.
I live in a 3 storey terraced house and my neighbors removed their chimney breasts on the ground floor. You may have damage to substrate itself, did you examine the mortar jointsbricks carefully for any cracks before you rendered. Currently the outside of the chimney breast is still brick however i want it plastering. You could pva your rendered walls and finish your chimney breast with british gypsums multi finish plaster. Causes of chimney cracks cracked chimney repairs in ct. The cracks are old and the steel beam has fixed the problem no problem 2 the cracks are new and we still dont know what the steel beam is there for big problem. Hack off the affected area and see if the wall behind is relatively dry compared to how wet the plaster feels if theory 2 is correct, it probably will be.
Purists and preservationists state that you should only use lime based plaster for any skim coating over plaster, and that using. If you need a chimney rebuild you may consider a decorative stucco overlay. Ensure the wall has been allowed to dry out fully before applying plaster. Damp stains on a chimney breast and adjacent ceiling it. And more often than not, the culprit is the flashing the sheet metal that keeps the intersection between the chimney and roof watertight. When inspecting a chimney, inspectapedia advises you to look for proper footings.
As a home inspector, its important for you to be able to differentiate among the causes and consequences of cracks. These problems are exacerbated by improper construction. Where you live and the type of weather you experience plays a big role in how much wear and tear the brickwork on your home faces. Call us today to learn more about us and our chimney services. One way to quickly fix cracked plaster walls is with basic drywall tools and materials that you can easily and inexpensively obtain at a home improvement store. Are the hairline cracks in the wall to do with the chimney breast. This guide provides a quick overview that describes the most common chimney repair problems and how to fix them.
Hi everyone with a bit of luck you may be able to help me. The fireplace chimney breast will need replastering before it can be painted. In this video i show how to plaster a wall with 3 sides like a chimney breast. How to repair a cracked brick chimney home guides sf gate.
I think that there was a lime plaster on below layers. It seems to get worse after wet, windy weather difficult to establish as it is seldom dry here. The problem with hygroscopic salts is that they attract moisture. Chimney breast meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Chimney breast sooted render the original plasterers forum. Addressing poor exterior drainage can help prevent further tilting or cracks in the chimney bricks or masonry. It is therefore possible to remove a chimney breast from the flank or party wall. Weatherrelated damage is the second most common kind of damage. Notice how the cement has separated from the stone and how big the cracks are. In addition they removed a main wall on the ground floor so that they could have a large room which they now use as their kitchenlounge.
Most small cracks in drywall or plaster walls are not serious and are caused by seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood framing in your house over time. Stucco was easily applied and molded and was used not only to cover less visually appealing surfaces but to create aesthetically pleasing ones. Homeowners are often aware that chimneys can last a century or more, but they may not realize that it is common for chimneys to become damaged and beginning cracking and splitting. There are excellent crown coating materials such as chimney saver crown coat which cover the masonry and prevent small cracks from becoming a real problem. A chimney breast is the portion of the chimney that is visible on your interior wall and once a very important central part of the home, as this is how the entire house would have been heated. I had a new fireplace fitted a couple of years ago and wondered if this might be the cause has anyone heard of this before. Jun 22, 2018 but the reality is, cracks are part of most structures concrete, brick, stucco, plaster, and more. About 3 years ago we had a damp problem with a chimney breast upstairs. Waterproofing along with correct the drainage issues can help as well. Jan 03, 2015 lf plastering systems plastering a customers chimney breast. Chimneys built to accommodate the high heat of burning coal that powered boilers are oversized and too cool for oil or natural gas conditions. So i made a temporary frame pinned with dutch pins. To determine how serious a wall crack might be, its best to examine the shape of the crack and the direction it runs on the wall.
Before the use of natural gas or oil for heat, coal was used. If they are missing, make a note of this even if the chimney is. We have no fireplace, just a gas furnace and water heater. Usually the roofer has been back a couple of times or three and still the problems persist. There are numerous reasons it is never a good idea to put off the repair of a leak, especially a chimney leak. A crack has appeared in the chimney breast,it was there before i had my wood burner installed,but i raked it out and filled it and had the chimney breast replastered along with some other walls but i see it has opened up again, it is a thin crack which runs up the middle of the chimney breast and then about two foot across the top about three or four inches below the coveing,can this be. Hairline cracks in the plasterboard of a refurbished mid. If you decide to replaster stained areas, when the problem is not severe it is sometimes suggested to use a slurry of cow dung painted on to the masonry before applying new lime plaster. Fixing leaks around chimneys my firm gets more calls about leaks around chimneys than about any other problem. A damp chimney breast problem can present itself in a number of different ways and for a number of different reasons. If a hairline crack is the least of your problems, dont worry.
We had the external chimney removed and the gap in the roof tiled over. What are the problems involved in chimney breast removal. I have just rebuilt a chimney and installed a stove. Dec 07, 2008 reasons for cracks in plaster and best way to fix it. Ive search on here and some say aliminium wood paint. We have had one person tell us that we need a heat resistant plaster at about. Investigate bulges or anything larger than a hairline crack. If the crack is vertical and starts near the apex where the wall. Ive just started removing the plaster from my chimney breast to expose the bricks and have found a number of cracked and, more worryingly, completely loose bricks photo attached.
If you are building a new fireplace or opening a chimney breast to create one, you can line the opening with fire bricks set in place with heatproof mortar. Damp stains on a chimney breast and adjacent ceiling it may be salts. Resolving drainage issues also can help foundationrelated problems such as cracks in plaster walls, bowing walls, sagging floors and even bugs in the basement. A chimney that has been weakened by a building defect or even natural deterioration is a dangerous thing. There is also a similar patch on the other side of the chimney breast. In the case of open or damaged chimney pots, add a chimney cowl or cap to protect. Cracks in the chimney can be a sign of more serious underlying problems. Salt contamination in the plaster of a wall can also cause damp. How to fix a crumbling brick chimney home guides sf gate. The older your chimney is, the more likely it is that cracks will form inside. If unsure if there is a problem or if ceiling crack is serious an owner or buyer may wish to consult with an appropriately qualified.
Plaster repair on ceiling and near chimney the historic. Thats with fitting of gallows brackets in the loft, a concrete hearth to level the floor, new skirting and plastering. The common complaint is that the roofer has either fixed the stack or the flashing, but the damp still comes in. Whether these hairline cracks appearing on those particular walls in that way is a common manifestation of a problem following chimney breast removal. Damp stains on a chimney breast and adjacent ceiling it may be. Thanks for the advice on cleaning and using pva will do that next. When the entrance was opened up, the plaster on the chimney breast front and side came away in chunks. Original plaster finishes on internal walls and ceilings are worth treating with care. Over the last 8 weeks the patches have stayed the same, despite the heavy rain weve had, which to me. Fire place cracked plaster moneysavingexpert forum.
This is because building control have a more cautious and longer term view than the average builder. These trowel on over the existing cracked crown and provide years of leakfree performance. Some cracks and bulges in plaster may be superficial or localised. This is where the plaster has lost contact with the wall. Plaster repair on ceiling and near chimney post by corsetiere sat dec 05, 2015 10. Cracks which are referred to as hairline cracks arent typically a major issue. How to fix a damp chimney breast damp chimney breast.
The fireplace firechest we took back to the original brick and then put a layer of concrete over the brick. Damp stains on a chimney breast and adjacent ceiling it may. The work was done by a developer between june and november 2012 and i am the first person to live in the property since the work was completed. A number of hairline cracks have appeared over the past year or so in the plaster on the chimney breast wall in my living room. Your chimney is the heaviest portion of your home and theres a lot of weight concentrated in a small space. When your crown has cracks, the water goes right through those cracks. Apr 18, 2011 cracks in the chimney crown can occur from shifting of the structure or from shrinkage dating back to the first day the crown was put on. Just walk around and tap on different areas, and it wont take you long to figure out, where lathe ends and brick. Whats more, once they have penetrated your brickwork or plaster, they are very difficult to remove. I think the rest of the wall is in good nick, and its going to be wallpapered, not painted, so doesnt need to be absolutely perfect.
Cracking plaster on chimney breast above wood burner the. If you notice damp on your chimney breast, you need to treat it as soon. In your case, as you havent used the fire, something else seems to have gone wrong. My guess is that a chimney has been removed from a bedroom and thus that part of the stack was removed and then shored up to. Sep 25, 2009 we are installing a wood burning stove into an existing fireplace. It is very important to identify the cause when you have a leaky chimney. Damp breast page 1 homes, gardens and diy pistonheads. Complete instructions for replacing a badly rotted window, including repairing cracks, replacing drywall and sealing the window. This has been done before and can give good results. Water freezes and thaws in the cracks all winter long, year after year, forcing small cracks to eventually become big cracks. How to fix a cracked crown depends upon how bad the damage is. Jun 10, 2017 cracks in chimneys built from fieldstone. How to fix chimney breast plaster damp and salts problems diy. The risk of damage to your chimney increases if you live in an historic home.
Though they may look scary, your cracked plaster walls are not beyond repair. Plaster cracks over a chimney breast are usually caused by. Close up of fluffy white salts on a chimney breast. The surrounding fireplace chimney breast we have had boxed off with plasterboard plaster. Above stains of the face of the front bedroom chimney breast. Would anyone recommend just using a backing plaster, then skimming with a feather edge. Its not uncommon for homes to get a crack or two in their ceilings over time, therefore older home will generally have more ceiling cracks. Combined miscstudentextra questions quiz flashcards.
We plan on replacing all of the walls which are plaster, also, with drywall. Jun 08, 2008 so another way is to just dot and dab the chimney breast. How to plaster a chimney breast the original plasterers. Or it might be the moisture levels in a chimney have increased due to one end being sealed. Where staining appears through a chimney breast it may be necessary to replaster. If your chimney is not lined and has been in use for a very long time, this is a likely cause of damp in your chimney breast. The chimney is part of the structure of the house and its removal should be carefully considered before any work is carried out. Sep 24, 2014 the liner of your chimney is the most important part and any cracks are dangerous and can lead to serious problems to your home if not addressed immediately. Sounds like his problem is the wall above fire forget any gypsum products the heat these kick out will just crack crumble j. How to fix a damp chimney breast chimney repair diy doctor. How to fix chimney breast plaster damp and salts problems. A number of things can lead to cracks and other problems with the brickwork on your chimney. I have had various advice and unsure which way to go.
Condensationbased issues are more likely to occur in flues that remain. It has been plastered over and still giving problems. I show you how to mix and apply pva, how to mix and apply 2 coats of plaster, and i give a few simple plastering tips. The 5 most common chimney issues a chimney and fireplace add character and warmth to a home, but there is a lot more to them than cozy aesthetics. How to determine if the cracks in walls are serious home. Thinking about removing the plaster over the chimney in the. Advice on plastering up messy chimney breast screwfix. Are the hairline cracks in the wall to do with the chimney. To safely use a fireplace, chimney maintenance is essential. If the crack isnt a onetime thing, have your home inspected by a structural engineer.
How to remove plaster from a brick chimney exposed brick. Early detection means the problem is easier to fix before it gets too bad. Exposing a brick chimney under plaster walls weve sort of been all over the place with house repairs around the upstairs of our home lately weve been tackling a few plumbing issues, repairing wall damage in two rooms and even opened up the plaster wall in brandons room to expose the brick chimney hiding underneath. Tree roots that grow under the chimney may push up and cause it to shift and crack, and drainage problems may cause the area under the chimney to become unstable, also possibly resulting in cracking. We have a plaster skim on a heat proof board and the plaster has cracked all over. Plaster membranes can be applied more quickly, but inhibit drying of the plaster that is applied on top of them meaning that it can often take over a week before paint or wallpaper can be applied to the plaster. Theyre often found at the corners of window and door frames, and can be patched using spackling or joint compound. Apr 26, 2012 hi everyone with a bit of luck you may be able to help me.
The repair costs depend on the extent of the damage, the materials type of brick, lining, flashing, etc, the current condition of the chimney crown, and the location of the chimney. The remedy is to hack off the plaster and render with 3. I show you how to mix and apply pva, how to mix and apply 2 coats of plaster, and i. Where as brick chimneys are constructed with similar size and dimension masonry units, stone chimneys are often built with uneven, dissimilar stone. Whilst its not a problem for semidetached houses since the party wall has. The question is are these cracks structural and a problem with the building resulting from settlement, subsidence or heave. We illustrate thermal cracking in a brick chimney in this article, just below. Stucco is a type of plaster used to cover construction surfaces such as metal, concrete, cinder blocks and many other materials. Are the hairline cracks in the wall to do with the chimney breast removal. You normally find cracking of plaster with a new fireplace, when the flue is a precast or prefabricated flue and the fire is a glass fronted fire. If needed, we will construct a chimney crown that will keep the moistureand future foundational damageout. The most common problems with chimneys are the crown. With the onset of central heating, however, many home owners look into a chimney breast removal since they find that these chimney breasts take up space along the wall that could be used more efficiently. A specialist will need to inspect the chimney before they can give an accurate estimate.
Chimney breast still damp 3 years after external chimney. Anchoring an antenna to a chimney may also lead to cracks over the lifespan of the chimney. Permaseal renovating plaster over the surface to form a saltresistant barrier. Chimney brick cracks are a sign that you have a house settlement problem. The actual face of the chimney can be sealed with new clear sealers and compounds that will bridge cracks up to 18 inch in width. They are very efficient, but can heat the flue up just above the fireplace more than an open fronted fire. Removal of these chimneys without providing suitable beams to support the structure over could result in structural distress or damage or even collapse of. Should i hack off the new plaster and lime plaster below and tank it with something like febtank or what is the cement based water resistant system that you. How to plaster a fireplace plastering for beginners. The dangers of a cracked chimney liner atlanta, ga old. This article catalogs the types of chimney cracks and movement that may be found in brick, stone, or concrete block chimneys.
1202 1098 969 1107 671 1073 1413 1266 183 1339 706 807 173 609 657 1033 1089 894 175 930 439 1246 570 372 150 176 1191 729 429 1507 393 326 9 260 76 1390 481 242 49 1320 600 221