Damp on chimney breast in loft and in ground floor

[stan86]

Hello, 

 

I am seeking advise regarding a house we just purchased. 

From the survey we knew that the chimney breasts in the loft have high damp readings and in the ground floor as well, but lower. 

Suggestions were that it may be caused by failed flashings or the lack of rain caps(although they only lack on one side but both are damp). 

I however took this picture in the rain and the chimneys look a lot damper than the rest of the wall. It looks like the pitch is draining into that side. I also think that at places the pointing has failed. 

Could it be penetrating damp because of the pointing? Can something be done so the water doesn't run that way? 

 

Thanks