Dealing with small patches of wall damp
- Thread starter Tengu
- Start date
As above, leaking gutter? down pipe? crack? roof? leaking pipe? soil against the wall? Damp has a source, if you don't cure the cause you're wasting your time. Is it rented? if so get the landlord to sort it.
Actually I think it's called 'old government built house with solid walls'.
As has been said, find the problem and treat that. Don't attempt to treat the symptom, it won't work.
Most houses with solid walls relied on a layer of waterproof mortar called 'rendering' to prevent water wicking into the house. It needs to be in good condition.
After quite a few decades it probably won't be, so it may need to be repaired or replaced.
Roof coverings, guttering, downpipes, back-inlet gullies, drains and any soakaways need to be inspected and if necessary maintained.
Openings such as windows, doors and vents will all have some means of waterproofing, these will also need to be inspected and maintained if necessary.
Welcome to the private sector!
As has been said, find the problem and treat that. Don't attempt to treat the symptom, it won't work.
Most houses with solid walls relied on a layer of waterproof mortar called 'rendering' to prevent water wicking into the house. It needs to be in good condition.
After quite a few decades it probably won't be, so it may need to be repaired or replaced.
Roof coverings, guttering, downpipes, back-inlet gullies, drains and any soakaways need to be inspected and if necessary maintained.
Openings such as windows, doors and vents will all have some means of waterproofing, these will also need to be inspected and maintained if necessary.
Welcome to the private sector!
Could just be a lack of ventilation. Modern houses aren't draughty and humidity builds up especially if showers are being used or washing is being dried inside. Condensation forms where hot meets cold and then damp quickly follows. If it's on a upstairs ceiling lagging the attic can help. A better ventilation fan in a bathroom will help a lot too. We had a small 2 bedroom flat way back when and invested in a small dehumidifier which completely cured the window wall and ceiling damp we were getting.
Magic sponge eraser things are great at removing dark patches of damp off walls and tiles and ceilings. As said though, worth investigating the cause of the damp too, rather than just treating the outward signs.
My first guess then would be condensation on the windows soaking into the plaster on the inside of the room. Do you notice much condensation on the windows?
You can quick fix it with a damp seal paint and then overcoat but it won't last in all probability. You must follow Ged's sound advice. Most problems are caused by a simple water ingress from lack of rainwater management and maintainence.
Definite no-no to the PVA. Thompsons damp seal at the very least. If there are salt deposits(efloressence), it's an old problem. If not, it's a newish one.
There are 2 ways of doing a job; right or again.
Definite no-no to the PVA. Thompsons damp seal at the very least. If there are salt deposits(efloressence), it's an old problem. If not, it's a newish one.
There are 2 ways of doing a job; right or again.
