Damp problems and old chimneys: will chimney capping work?

[blairquik]

Hi,

I live in an old tenament style building in Aberdeen which has 6 flats, 2 on each level, and I am getting damp spots on my interior walls. I have looked at the condition of the stonework and pointing on the exterior and although it's old it does look pretty sound.

Spent a long time racking my brain as to what it might be, then I noticed that all the damp spots are in line with the chimneys and where the old fireplaces would have been (these have long since been blocked off). Does it seem possible that the chimneys are letting moisture into the fabric of the building as it does seem to get worse when it rains. If so, would capping the chimneys fix this and how much do you reckon it would be? My neighbour who has lived here for a while tells me that the chimneys are not currently capped.

The building is rectangular with four walls, and a chimney stack on each wall. Two of the chimney stacks have 3 chimneys, and the other two stacks have 6 chimneys.

[ultimatehandyman]

Capping them off could seal in the moisture.

If the chimneys are no longer in use then where the fire used to be there should be a vent, this ensures that the chimney can still "suck" and any moisture will be sucked out- as would the smoke years ago.

[thescruff]

I have locked this thread as it is duplicated in the building forum