Interior wall backs to chimney-now mold on interior wall. (roofing, paint, leak)

[greatblueheron]

This wall was damp and moldy when I took down a lg picture prior to moving. A friend cleaned it with a bleach solution, dried it then painted....now it is back.

I think the space between the chimney and northern exterior wall gets damp, then maybe soaks through...it is a plaster wall, not sheetrock....but not sure what to do.

Any recommendations appreciated!!

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by greatblueheron

Any recommendations appreciated!!

Find and fix the leak.

[Va-Cat]

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

Find and fix the leak.

Ditto. If the wall backs to the chimney, have a chimney company check the chimney cap and put a camera down to check the chimney itself for leaks. If I had to guess thats where the leak is.

[M3 Mitch]

If your chimney does not intersect the ridge line of the roof, that is, the chimney has an "uphill" side, that area is relatively hard to seal, thus the leak, probably.

One way to make a permanent repair is to build a "cricket" over the uphill side so there is no "pocket" to catch water.

[spacelord75]

Definitely sounds like a leak between the brick of the chimney and shingles on the roof. This is a notorious leak spot, but pretty easy for a roofing company to fix. Likely the flashing is no longer adhered to the brick and rain is getting behind it and trickling down behind the chimney.

[greatblueheron]

thanks guys...my home is for sale in another state, so I was trying to get the best idea about who to call for repairs....this is a 2 story home with full attic on top....

this apparently is really bad- I figure the interior wall itself will need replacing, plaster and not sheetrock.