Damp around un-used fire places

Unused fire places can be source of damp because rain can easily enter the chimney and if there is no heat to dry out the chimney then dampness will naturally occur.

Remedy

Fit a chimney cap to the chimney. This will stop the rain from infiltrating and also have a few other benefits, namely:

• Stop seagulls and other birds from nesting in the chimney
• Stop insects from nesting in the chimney
• Reduce air flow, thus reducing heat loss
• Maintain a minimal airflow, thus allowing the house to access fresh air

Many old houses have chimneys so you should also use breathable paints when decorating over the remaining damp areas so that they can slowly dry out. You can use natural emulsions or claypaints for this.

It might also be wise to install permanent damp proofing measures. These are available from Hydrotek or by using a DIY silicon cream.