Chimney related damp?

[Bat71]

Hi all

We have had damp patches for a few years now on the internal walls of the chimney breasts in an old Victorian House which seem to get worse when we have had a lot of rain.

I'm not an expert in any of this but would really just like to try and understand what it going on so we can try and find a solution. We had the flashing replaced a while ago and the roof checked for leaks but the problem remains on both sides of the house on interior and exterior walls where the chimney stacks are.

Looking from the back of the house the chimney on the left looks like this along with the corresponding damp/deterioration on external/internal walls (two floors)

On the right side of house (from the rear) the chimney looks in bad repair (complete with plant) and the damp is much worse, concentrated in the corner of a bedroom which the chimney stack is right above and the exterior wall is cracked and showing outline of bricks

Looking at these photos now closer up, I feel like it's a problem with the chimney/pointing, but would really appreciate some direction on what it is and what we can do about it as we don't want to keep throwing money at it without getting to the root of the issue.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[foxhole]

Chimney needs sorting , vegetation growing will spread any cracks as it grows .
Any open chimney pots should be capped and corresponding chimney breast fitted with vents . Cracked render will let in rain and keep it there , only way out is into property .

 

[ree]

OP,
Why not post pics of all your fireplaces - blocked or open it doesn't matter?
And could you go into the loft and post pics of any water marks or damage on brickwork or timbers?

 

[^woody^]

You've got issues with the stack, the flaunching, the pots, the flashing and have a look at the party wall parapet while you are up there.