The interior walls in two rooms on the top floor of my brownstone show water damage. I believe the walls are uninsulated. These walls are exterior walls as no other building abuts them. It appears moisture is somehow getting through but there’s no roof leak. Could air be travelling up through the old fireplace and / or the space between the brick and the interior plaster wall and when it hits the roof line try to go through the interior wall?

How do I prevent the walls form peeling and showing water damage


Comments

  1. That sounds like a problem I’ve had not to long ago in my brownstone in Brooklyn. I had water damaged through out my fireplace flues and boiler flue in which the interior of the two chimney flues was corroded. Call “Dynasty Chimney” 718-338-4741 ask for Paul or Chris I’m confident that you, that you wont have any regrets.

  2. I see peeling, but I don’t see water stains in this photo. Are they there, but just not that visible on my monitor? Peeling can be caused by other problems — paint dried out, paint not compatible with next layer, etc.

  3. On the other side is a large brick wall that shows no visible signs of pointing problems. On the inside wall there is no exposed brick to see if there is any efflorescence.

  4. Far more likely that water is seeping through your brick, whether by wind-driven rain or moisture working itself through mortar and brick that needs repointing and replacement. Are there areas of white powder (efflorescence) on your inside walls?