Damp patch in vestibule

[nicknoal]

Hi everyone,
I have a small damp patch which has recently appeared in my vestibule and is becoming progressively worse. There is now a black stain on the wall which is getting larger and paint has been flaking off (see photographs). It’s quite cold in this area as I have an original wood front door that is quite drafty.

Obviously I would rather not chip off all the plaster and treat the damp in the usual way. So I was wondering if anyone would recommend a treatment for this such as maybe Zinessa or another damp sealant?

Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks

 

[bobasd]

can you post pics of the outside walls and entranceway at ground level?

that looks like rising damp which has attracted condensation.
previous (damp?) work is indicated by the very new skirting in an older porch/vestibule.
the gypdum plaster used is wrong.
at the least, you will have to hack off the plaster back to masonry, up to window board height. and remove & examine the skirtings.
make good with a 4:1 mix of sand & lime and a Limelite finish.

is the floor solid?
are the vestibule walls solid or cavity? do they have a DPC?

 

[nicknoal]

Thanks bobasd
I’ve supplied photos of outside, I can of course post more though if this isn’t the best angle.
Yes you are right there has been previous damp work. When I bought the house 1 year ago It was riddled with damp and has been stripped back to brick 1.5m high and injected throughout, this is the only area where a damp problem has reappeared though

The house is an early 1900s Victorian semi so is standard wooden floorboards with joists and void below. The walls are therefore solid

Thanks For your help. I was hoping I wouldnt have to re-strip back to brick

 

[^woody^]

Has anything changed internally or externally, or usage?

Is there a warranty on the treatment work?

 

[nicknoal]

Hi Woody,
Nothing has changed at all as this area is the vestibule so no other use.

No warranties unfortunately. I found the quotes from damp specialists extortionate, so I decided to hack the old plaster off myself, employ someone to inject everywhere (which I am certain was done correctly as I had inspected by another builder) and then pay separately for re-plaster. This may be seen a cheap way out however I find it saves thousands. This area is the only area in the whole house which has a recurring damp issue so the damp work has definitely been corrrectly administered. Just perhaps not in this area

 

[noseall]

Zero DPC...?

 

[^woody^]

Does rain hit that side wall where the window is and the section going back to that gate/door?

The pattern and mould suggests something other or in addition to rising dampness, eg water moving down the wall or being retained by the external paint coating.

 

[bobasd]

as above, the paint could be holding moisture - is that the correct external paint?

rubber, injection hole plugs can be seen but unless the solid wall was injected from inside as well as outside then damp can sometimes bypass the outside injection.
the injection line is too high to protect any joists seated in the brickwork.
outside, a mortar fillet has been used at the ground/wall junction - this was an always failing attempt to prevent damp penetration. best to remove the fillet.
what is the white square thing on the side wall - paint or a patch of render?
the course of bricks in ground contact looks sodden and green - does the porch roof have well fitted rainwater goods?

there are metal air vents under the door step - with your history of damp you will have to investigate the issues of through the house sub-area ventilation, and any rot damage to your joists.
air bricks should be set at about 1.5m centres around the house.

as i mentioned above, you will have to hack off, and remove skirting etc. & then make good with render not gypsum plaster.

can you post a pic of the junction of the porch to the main house?

 

[nicknoal]

Does rain hit that side wall where the window is and the section going back to that gate/door?

The pattern and mould suggests something other or in addition to rising dampness, eg water moving down the wall or being retained by the external paint coating.

Yes you’re right. After your message I’ve inspected the outside wall. To be honest I’m embarrassed I didn’t check here first!

It looks as though some of the pointing has fallen off which could be letting water in. What do you think?

 

[^woody^]

Definitely. Also the joints in the painted section which have algae on them.

That defective render is not helping. Water is running down it and soaking straight into the brickwork. That's probably why that section of wall is bad.

Sort the render out - it should have a "bellcast" along the bottom to cast water off and away from the wall.

When it's all rectified, coat the bottom two course of exposed brickwork with a clear water repellent.