Removing and closing off masonry chimney

[Qbert247]

Hi everyone! Ok i have a masonry chimney its been giving me trouble for prob 15 yrs now . Leaking water in behind and making wall damp behind the chimney . Pic attached is directly behind chimney looking up from basement at top of basement wall. I just had new metal roof installed and still get this moisture. Im thinking on tearing chimney down to ground level and cap it off and fix siding etc. Thinking water maybe wicking through the masonry block .. any info or opinions would be appreciated thanks

 

[EatenByLimestone]

It certainly could be coming through the block. Block is porous. If the cap is in bad shape water can get down inside it, then have a hard time getting back out. If multi flu, you can put vents into the space between the flues to allow some air movement.

 

[Bad LP]

Waterproof the masonry

 

[bholler]

Hi everyone! Ok i have a masonry chimney its been giving me trouble for prob 15 yrs now . Leaking water in behind and making wall damp behind the chimney . Pic attached is directly behind chimney looking up from basement at top of basement wall. I just had new metal roof installed and still get this moisture. Im thinking on tearing chimney down to ground level and cap it off and fix siding etc. Thinking water maybe wicking through the masonry block .. any info or opinions would be appreciated thanks

View attachment 292388

Can we see some exterior pics?

 

[Qbert247]

Can we see some exterior pics?

Sure

 

[begreen]

That's a very straightforward setup. Is nothing connected to the chimney now?

 

[Qbert247]

Just a woodstove. Dont use it

 

[bholler]

Just a woodstove. Dont use it

If it is unused yeah just take it down. But from the pic it really doesn't look like it's flashed properly

 

[Qbert247]

I dont know. Was just done when roof was replaced in october. Think im taking chimney down. Dont need it . No worries then

 

[bholler]

I dont know. Was just done when roof was replaced in october. Think im taking chimney down. Dont need it . No worries then

Just because the roofer (just re did the flashing) doesn't mean it's right. I redo flashing just done by roofers all the time.

 

[Qbert247]

Just because the roofer (just re did the flashing) doesn't mean it's right. I redo flashing just done by roofers all the time.

You are 100% correct . I am having some bids to look at it to figure out what would be best. I will have the flashing checked . Thanks for the info. What do u see wrong

 

[bholler]

You are 100% correct . I am having some bids to look at it to figure out what would be best. I will have the flashing checked . Thanks for the info. What do u see wrong

It looks like the top edge is just caulked not cut in properly.

 

[Qbert247]

It looks like the top edge is just caulked not cut in properly.

I will check it thanks