Bricked up window - water issue

[gibby]

We have an old fashioned pantry that had a small window.
Rather than replace the unwanted window we asked a local tradsman bricked it up for us, just a few weeks back.

This morning I opened the door to find water all over the shelves and floor. It appears to have been happeningf or quite some time.

Looking at it the builder placed a wooden board of some type on the inside, which is now soaking wet. Behind that is a row of bricks and on the outside a render to match the rest of the house.

Im not sure what to do & rather than him bodge it up again it would be better to get it sorted properly.

Any help would be appreciated

ta, G

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Looking at it the builder placed a wooden board of some type on the inside, which is now soaking wet. Behind that is a row of bricks and on the outside a render to match the rest of the house.
G

Can you elaborate on this wooden board, also what is the wall construction? Cavity wall or what?

 

[gibby]

The rest of the hosue has cavity wall insulation, its an ex council house and we dont ahve any other problems ther with water coming in

as far as I can tell with the window space, its render on the outside, a single brick in dept and the board looks like a bit of plaster board.
Its very damp/wet

 

[Mrdjc]

Has it been raining hard outside?

Are there any items in that room that might create condensation (Washing machine/dryer/dish washer/clothes hanging/extractor fan outlet)

I think your local tradesman has managed to create a cold spot in the wall where the water condensates. Makes perfect sense if you have cavity walls everywhere else, and this is a single course brick to the outside with some render on it, and its freezing outside it will be conducting the cold back, and it will be a lot colder than the rest of the house.

If this is the case, I would knock it all out again, clean up the edges right up to the cavity wall, and build a double skin wall back up with insulation between, tying into the existing cavity.

 

[gibby]

Thanks for that, it sounds right.

There are a few small holes in the render which must be letting the water in.
yes we have condensation issues, Im trying to takle that next

thanks

G

 

[cotswoldbuilders]

Sounds like hes only built the outer skin up, he should have followed the cavity through with insulation, then build the inner wall.
If its only single skin with p/b dabbed on, it will form a cold spot and problems with damp.