Expert: James Ball - 12/12/2008

Question
We have a vintage 1793 center chimney(original bricks) colonial. For the two years that we have lived here the north side of the chimney leaks in most rainstorms. There is evidence that this has been an old problem. The leak has grown worse recently and may be observed, in the attic, on the outside of the interior brick just below the ceiling and inside an old smokechamber for meat. At the second floor below the water leaks the most and may be observed between the flue and the granite face below the wooden mantel. Originally I thought water was entering the second floor's northside fireplace's flue. The previous owner thought so too as she had a contractor add two courses of brick at the top (northside only)of the chimney as a rainstop (this failed) The roof had also recieved new flashing, new shingles and the chimney had been repainted. I have inspected the flashing and caulked where it seemed suspect(seems in good shape,however). I have remortared the chimney cap. I am begining to wonder if the chimney is weeping through the paint - but why only on the one side?
Any ideas?

Answer
Hello Harley,  lets start with "the north side leak" it could be the way storms roll into your area. A water leak can be very hard to find.
my advice is to get a hose up on the roof and start running it below the area that is leaking for 1/2 hour then move it up the roof 2'
at a time running the hose 1/2 hour each time all the while having some one in the attic to watch for when the water starts dripping. keep doing this until you have reached the top and run the water over the cap, then spraying the north side. is it possible that the water is coming down the flue and leaking from inside the chimney?
I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have.
James