Damp front wall terraced house

[HoratioNelsonthe2nd]

Hello. Apologies if this has been posted before. I'm new here.

I live in a mid 50s terraced house. Property is rendered to the outside (as are all the ones in the row). Our front building wall appears to be damp at ground floor level . Wallpaper is coming away. Now, this is a westerly facing wall, and we do get full force of the awful weather over here on the coast so the wall is generally cold in cold weather anyway. I'm reluctant to get a damp specialist out, as I've heard stories of them pressuring you into getting an unnecessary damp course.

I've read that the damp could be caused by a build up of debris in the cavity. There's no cavity wall insulation as far as I'm aware.

I'm going to clear out the air vents this afternoon (providing the horrendous rain stays off for a couple of hours!).

Does anyone know how much I could expect to pay for someone to clear out the cavity? Who.do I contact.....builder or someone else? Any other ideas as to what could be causing the damp?

 

[ree]

OP,
Why not post pics showing the front elevation of the house, and the damp damaged interior.
You could measure the thickness of the front wall at a window or door opening - then post the measurement on here.
Do you have an access hatch for going under the floor?

 

[foxhole]

More like render is failing allowing rain thru and trapping it .

 

[ree]

Why would render only allow rain to penetrate at the base of the elevation?

 

[Nige F]

Maybe it's just cracked @ the base ?

 

[HoratioNelsonthe2nd]

Will take photos and post them when I get home.

The render does have a few cracks but has cracks at all levels (it definitely needs replacing at some point soon).

But wouldn't water only penetrate if the bricks underneath needed pointing too, or am I being a bit dense?

 

[foxhole]

Why would render only allow rain to penetrate at the base of the elevation?

It could be entering anywhere including roof level , then gravity takes over .

 

[ree]

But the OP mentions damp at ground floor level only?
Water that enters render will typically penetrate the background in the same area as the penetration &, where possible, show inside at roughly the same place.

 

[ree]

OP,
A 1950's house will usually have a cavity.
The cavity will prevent any dampness passing across from the outer skin wall the inner skin wall.
If you do have a cavity then, as you say, it might be bridging the cavity with rubble?
Pics might tell us more?
Why not measure the width of your front wall at a door or window opening?

 

[foxhole]

But the OP mentions damp at ground floor level only?
Water that enters render will typically penetrate the background in the same area as the penetration &, where possible, show inside at roughly the same place.

Can appear anywhere , gravity means a leak in you gutter may not be apparent until it hits the dpc and enters the house .

 

[JohnD]

Water from a leaking gutter can fall to the ground and then splash up against the base of the wall.

Paving or flowerbeds can slope towards the house, or bridge the DPC.

drains can be blocked.

The photos will help.

Include the entire wall, all the way up to the roof and gutters, and all the way down to the ground and drains. Include the airbricks and mark he position of the DPC.

On the inside, show the damp patch and its position relative to the window and any water-containing items such as radiators or taps.

Do not allow anyone who sells silicone injections near your house.

 

[ree]

Poster #10,
But we are talking about render.
You first mentioned render, and I then twice replied specifically mentioning render.

 

[^woody^]

Four types of damp come to mind, not one. Pictures would help. Inside and out from several meters away.