Expert: James Ball - 7/12/2010

Question
I purchased my contemporary home in 1986.  It has a square 4 flue chimney.  About 5 years after I purchased it, I began to notice water stains on the ceiling right above a 2nd floor fireplace.  On very rainy days, I could see in the attic water dripping down the front side of the bricks which was obviously the cause of the water stains on the ceiling below.  Thinking it was bad flashing, I had the builder look at it.  He said the flashing and roof were in excellent shape and not the cause of the leaking.  He suggested I call a chimney expert.  The chimney people said the cause was that during heavy rain the bricks became saturated with water and suggested a chimney cap.  I had them put a cap on and the problem went away until a few years ago when it started again.  I called another chimney expert 7 months ago and they went on the roof and inspected everything and could not find a cause.  They suggested a slightly larger cap.  That has not solved the problem.  

When this problem first started, it only happened when we had 2+ inches of rain in say a 24 hour period.  It now happens in just a light to moderate rain.  And, again, it leaks down from only one side of the chimney.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Answer
Hello Bob, hard to tell with out looking at the chimney/flashing/crown, I do not think it is coming through the brick soaking u p the rain, but maybe some cracks in the bricks/crown (top of 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 they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James