Slight damp patch on chimney breast, would an air brick help?

[VivaLeBeaver]

There's been a patch for years of discoloured paint. We've tried painting over it with special paint, etc.

A log burner man was here last week fitting a stove in another room and saw the patch and reckoned I need an air brick. I asked if he meant on the external wall but He said in the internal wall so it comes into the room.

My neighbour pulled a bit of a face when I told him and doesn't reckon it'll help.

Anyone know?

Meant to say there's no fireplace anymore. Its fully bricked up.

a disused chimney needs each flue to be ventilated top and bottom, or it will get condensation inside. Eventually it will be a long flue-shaped mark. If the fireplace is bricked up, removing a single brick will be enough, and you can put a plastic ventilation grille over it (can be painted to match the wall).

If there is a damp or yellow/brown stain near the ceiling upstairs, it might be rainwater penetration.

Thanks PigletJohn. Its in the dining room. The bedroom above looks ok, no marks.

you could use a core drill, from a tool hire shop, or a plumber will have one, but drilling brickwork is usually rather dusty.

They come in 105mm (soil-pipe size), or for waste pipes (you would need several such holes in a brick-sized pattern).

Would be easier and neater than banging away with a chisel and club hammer, which would be liable to cause cracks in the brickwork and plaster.

That sounds good. Will tell dh. Thanks.

if hiring, consider that you can buy a complete kit, in a budget brand, at a good price

I have one, it is not posh, but very sturdy. Read the reviews.