Dampness

[moghm]

Hello All,

Bought a 3 bed semi circa: 1970. The small bedroom has an external wall to the right. Have been smelling a bit of damp and on removing a cabinet that backed onto an external wall it was a bit mouldy. I keep cleaning regularly and its not excessive but does need sorting. So on looking outside the lower end of the walls seems in pretty good condition but as you move to the top part of the wall there are definite signs of holes in the pointing. I do suspect that this is the problem. I will try and post pics. Interestingly, there is only evidence of dampness on one corner of the house, the other corner and middle seems fine. I have been quoted £200 to repair the holes and an application of a layer of water resistant seal. Its from someone I use regularly and he has always done good work for me. No issue there. However, I am not keen on the water resistant layer ? Am i right to think that, i want the wall to breathe rather than seal moisture in. What do you think ? I am thinking of just getting it repaired with no seal.

Many thanks

 

[Deleted member 292770]

it’ll be a cavity wall with the outer leaf having little to no bearing on your problem.
the mould is more likely to the result of a poorly ventilated cold wall where condensation is occuring.
repair the pointing by all means but steer clear from brick sealing products of any kind as they are next to useless.

 

[moghm]

it’ll be a cavity wall with the outer leaf having little to no bearing on your problem.
the mould is more likely to the result of a poorly ventilated cold wall where condensation is occuring.
repair the pointing by all means but steer clear from brick sealing products of any kind as they are next to useless.

Thankyou for the reply. Apologies but limited knowledge of these things, could you explain this a bit more please ? '
it’ll be a cavity wall with the outer leaf having little to no bearing on your problem.'

I will take your advice and get the pointing repaired in the mean time

 

[Deleted member 292770]

outer leaf of a cavity wall serves only to protect against weather, providing there is no bridge between the inner and outer walls and there is ventilation and a dpc you should have no damp . hope that makes sense.