Damp Issue - Motar compared to brick

[tododo]

Hi all

Just wanted to see what you think of this

My parents have recently spotted damp in a wall - they have had cavity wall insulation done a number of years ago now

My father is an ex bricky so he still quite handy

Anyway hes knocked all the plaster off to get at the brick

Hes since knocked out some bricks and pulled out wet insulation from the cavity - it sounds like it was mid wall - dry insulation above and not too bad below- so just a wet patch by the sounds of it

Now - ive just bought a damp meter to see what we can find

The area is still drying out at the moment - however when we try the damp meter on the motar - its nearly always near the top end of the scale - the brick on the other hand is varying a bit

Where the plaster has been left on the wall the meter shows no issues but on the exposed brick right next to the plaster the meter shows the brick and motar as being damp - seems odd to me

I suppose the motar is more susceptible to water ingress but just want to see what you think of it really

Hes planning on skimming with concrete and then plastering over once weve seen what the levels do over the next few days

Im guessing the root cause is with the render on the outside maybe

In the meantime would a vent be suitable to get air going through or just stupid as hes got insulation in there

Thanks for any advice and thanks for taking the time to read

 

[flameport]

If the wet/damp is in the middle of the wall, the outer skin is defective in some way, probably cracked or blown render, or both. That will need to be fixed before anything else, and then you will have to wait for the wall to dry out which could easily be weeks or months.

Damp meters are useless in this situation as they are not designed for use on brick or masonry, and even if they were, and actually worked properly, they would just tell you what you already know - the wall is wet.

Do NOT put concrete on the wall.

 

[foxhole]

Agree damp meter useless, render almost certainly the problem retaining moisture and not allowing wall to dry, you should also check guttering, downpipes to make sure all is OK.

 

[tododo]

Didnt know that about damp meters

Any reason why a concrete skim is not a good idea

Just so I can tell him - hes old school - and yes I agree outside render seems to be the cause so that will need sorting

Thanks again