Damp issue - where to start?

[Phil Mortlock]

We moved into our 1907 house last year and noticed the corner of the kitchen wall is damp as the paint is turning into powder and coming off. It looks to be this specific patch and no where else. This is an external wall on the side of the house and there are no pipes or anything around here so likely to be coming up through the ground?

Where do we start with identifying and fixing the problem? I’m very hands on and have renovated the majority of the house but have never had to deal with damp before.

I’ve included some pics to see if anyone has any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Phil Mortlock]

 

[JohnD]

short answer: water leak

long answer:
where is the stopcock in the pavement? Usually next to where the front gate used to be when the house was built
where does the incoming water pipe rise up through the floor? Usually underneath where the kitchen sink used to be when the house was built.
have you got a water meter?
Is the kitchen floor concrete?
Is the hall floor concrete or wood?
where are the air bricks?
Is anyone in the house under 18 with good hearing?

OOI
where is the DPC?
Where is the gulley for the kitchen sink waste pipe?
Where is the soil pipe for the (?downstairs?) WC and the bathroom?
Where is the downpipe for the gutters?
Does the concrete path hold puddles?
Where are the manhole covers?
Which part of Ukraine do you live in?

 

[^woody^]

Localised damp in a solid wall like that is most likely related to pointing. The area of plaster will also need replacing now due to hygroscopic salts.