Hi all
I have a 30s house and not that long ago the outside was re rendered around the bay windows. The brick work is a bit tired I can see that. Recently I have noticed a worsening of the damp problem in the lounge. I will get the gutter cleaned but I also wondered if I should be getting the pointing done and also whether you can tell me if there appear to be other issues. I am a novice so unsure what type of work I would need. I would like to be a bit informed when I talk to a tradesperson.
I would suggest that this is a water ingress problem, if not defective guttering then possibly a roof issue. Your pictures suggest a downward creep of dampness rather than the rising damp marks you would normally get with a breached damp course. The problem you have is seeking advice places you in the hands of charlatans who will exploit the situation to maximise the job. Firstly eliminate the usual problem of overflowing gutters caused by blocked downpipes, if there are no obvious issues then start looking at your roof for cracked or damaged tiles or defective flashing around a chimney or the like. Is that a coping stone-topped wall I can see, a very likely candidate. You can use binoculars or a cheap drone to have a look before you decide on your next move. it is always best to get a recommendation from someone who has has a good job done rather than a chance from Chuck a trade website.
DWD
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I am glad you think that too as I feel it’s coming from above, very hard to tell from where. Do you think a general builder is the best solution? It’s not a big job I know.
That’s a great question, I don’t know if they are coping stones. I have got a long ladder coming so will get a confirmation on what’s up there. I feel like the water from that area is also damaging the pointing and bricks.
It would be the first place to check. The joints are likely to be the weakness. There was a similar thread with an issue like this, I will try and find it and a link
Hello DWD,
My apologies for this unusual reply/request, but... would you happen to know what happened to "Louise/bludall/Laminatrix ?
I used to talk to her but i've been gone for years and just found UHM again. Tyannt/Greg in Canada
Hi Greg, Louise has not posted since 2019 on UHM. I suspect that like so many she probably moved on to other social media platforms like many regulars may have done as well. Most posters now are usually in genuine need of help or guidance and the chit-chat is not so much. I keep that side going with my TV films and series threads which always get regular reads and are up in the millions with hits. Sorry, I cannot help.
DWD
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That’s so helpful thanks for clarifying it. The roof of the bay window and surrounds is looking like the probably culprit as there isn’t a gutter there. that said, the whole front of the house is very ‘damp’ this year. I do wonder if the extra rain we’ve had has increased the water table as internal walls in the hall are showing blown plaster too. The owner before me replaced the floors with concrete. I am told that’s a cause of issues as well.
dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Thu Jan 30, 2025 11:25 am
I would focus on the bay roofing area first.
DWD
Just one further thought sprang to mind, just above the render is a lip and facing bricks in a line, could this also be an issue? Is water likely to seep into the lip above the bricks in any way? It looks very damp. If so is there a sealant that I should buy to make sure it doesn’t retain water.
