Cracks on external wall??? HELP!

[ken1979]

Hi, needing some advice. My family moved into our semi-detached house 2 years ago. When we moved in we noticed that the plasterwork in the living room was in very bad condition so it was recommended to take it back to the brick and replaster which was done. At the time the plasterer did notice that the lintil above the window was damp but it dried out and was then replastered. We removed the cavity wall insulation as it was soaking. Since then the dampness has got very bad in the top right hand corner and above the window. We just can't understand where the water is coming from. In the summer the external wall was painted and the decorator told us that there were some bad cracks and quite a few bits have fell off exposinbg brickwork - do you think this could be the problem? If so will we have to roughcast the whole of the front of the house? The living room is at the front but so is our son's bedroom but there are no signs of this dampness in there. Totally at a loss please help

 

[r896neo]

Is this a bay window?

 

[ken1979]

no it's not a bay window, just standard.

 

[^woody^]

Moisture is either getting in through the brickwork, via the cill of any window above, or less likely from the roof eaves

 

[ChapiTheBricky]

it may be that water is entering the cavity externally and is bridging across at the window head due to a lack of or failing dpc apron. the render being blown could either be a cause or a symtom. head up into the loft and have a poke about directly above the offending window, if there is nothing to be seen the render is the likely cause.