Damp inside wall after rain

[Lucy&Paul]

Hi, looking for any advice regarding the frustrating damp patch which appears when when have a spell of wet weather. I have attached photos of the damp and a photo of the outside of the house to show the height the damp starts from as the ground floor starts at the the top of the stairs. This would suggest it's not rising, I wonder if it may be coming in above the door lintel as the paint has bubbled (I hate that they are painted so I guess that's one plus)? The area effected with the damp goes right into the porch (the porch doesn't seem affected only the wall from the inside) and a bit across the front wall. Its about 5ft in height at spreads out as it goes down. I hope this makes sense. Many thanks

 

[JohnD]

so the wall gets wet after rain.

show us the gutters and downpipes please, and the entire outside wall, and mark on your picture of the outside wall where the damp patch is.

Have a look for cracks or gaps around the lintel or in the bricks and pointing.

 

[Lucy&Paul]

Thanks for your reply John. Please find attached further photos, one of which shows the interior of the porch which I have drawn a red triangle shape, the damp is within this area. We have got new guttering which needs to be put up, looking at the photo of the front on the house the blackening shown on the bricks I believe is from a previous leak from the guttering which we made a temporary repair to. Many thanks

 

[JohnD]

the bricks to your side of the downpipe look wet. I think your gutter is still leaking. Have a look during rain (borrow binoculars if you can) and my guess is that it is tracking into a loose joint above the lintel and running into the wall.

I suspect that gutter patch is leaking at the joints. I see the downpipe looks like cast iron so I suppose it is all rather old and rusty, might even be cracked. Some people know how to refurb iron, but I'd find it easier to renew in plastic. Luckily you have a hopper head so might avoid joining new to old.

The iron will be very heavy, so a scaffold tower will be a lot safer than working from a ladder. I think you would do better with a local guttering specialist or roofer, but go by personal recommendation, not an ad on the web.

You can rake out and repoint any gaps in the brickwork or round the lintel, but the guttering is your most urgent job. Your roofer or gutterman will probably be able to do it, or you could learn repointing yourself (it will show, so needs to be very neat).

 

[Lucy&Paul]

Thank you so much John, you have been very helpful.

 

[Mr Chibs]

Agree with JD... also, whilst your at it...
...is it wet where that cable comes in (telephone I presume)?

Just check theres a blob of sealant where it enters the brickwork, the cable really should have a little loop (like a u bend) before it enters your house, as rain can travel down the cable and straight in.