Damp patch on wall

[DumbBlonde5]

We have been doing up our 1960s house for the last year. The previous owners did nothing unless they had to. One thing they did do is replace the old concrete guttering. As we have stripped off old wallpaper in the bedroom we found blown plaster along the ceiling which is probably why they replaced it.

About 9 months ago we had the front bedroom skimmed and where the plaster had blown it was taken back to brick and re-plastered. It's since been repainted and we are using it as our bedroom.

Last month we had to have some roof work done on the back extension and at the same time we had the moss removed from the whole roof. The roofer checked for any broken tiles an replaced them.

Tonight we have found a damp patch on this bedroom wall. It's about 4 inches below the coving and is in the corner on the wall that joins our neighbours (semi). What would cause this? We are gutted as we don't want it to ruin our new plaster. We have checked the loft and no sign of any damp or wet anywhere. The outside wall does look damp in that area though.

Where should we start to identify this issue asap please?

 

[Crystalclear]

Last month we had to have some roof work done on the back extension and at the same time we had the moss removed from the whole roof.

Was it jet washed off??

 

[DumbBlonde5]

No I made sure we chose a roofer that carefully took it off by hand.

 

[Crystalclear]

Ok, and the new concrete gutter? How good was the work carried out?
Is the gutter trough sealed correctly? Or precisely speaking, is the gutter lining sealed correctly more to the point?

I don't want to point fingers, but is there a small chance the lining could have been 'breached' whilst the roofers were up there?

 

[DumbBlonde5]

Ok, and the new concrete gutter? How good was the work carried out?
Is the gutter trough sealed correctly? Or precisely speaking, is the gutter lining sealed correctly more to the point?

I don't want to point fingers, but is there a small chance the lining could have been 'breached' whilst the roofers were up there?

We didn't have the gutters done but we have the details of the company they used somewhere. It was done about 2/3 years ago now. It's a company that claims to specialise in removing concrete guttering. They have put up PVC guttering. This is the first time we have seen a damp patch but not sure if it could have happened before and we didn't notice.

 

[Crystalclear]

Oh ok. It's one of those things, I mean it could be just be something like the roof tiles near and around this particular corner just not reaching far enough into the new gutter you mention, and rain that does penetrate one a heavy and windy day, can take some time for the water to show up on the inside wall?

It's a big ask, but it might help if you could manage a picture of that part from the outside? Close up would be better.

In the meantime, I'd recommend a qualified roofer to have a look outside in that spot, and see if they can locate anything...

 

[DumbBlonde5]

Thank you! I will aim to take a photo tomorrow. We've taken one of the inside in case it dries up. I will call the roofer we used and ask if he can come out and have a look.

 

[Crystalclear]

One step at a time right?
Regarding the water that has entered in, once it dries, see if you can get hold of a small tin of damproof paint.
It'll seal the area and not show up in your paint...

 

[endecotp]

Wait until it rains heavily and then go outside and have a good look, ideally with binoculars. Hang out the upstairs wondows if that will help! Or from the upstairs window of the house opposite.

 

[DumbBlonde5]

 

[DumbBlonde5]

Contacted roofer and he is away but said he will contact his workmate to see if he can come round to look. Patch is slowly getting bigger. Any thoughts please?

 

[kazuya]

just above window height and that far across puts the damp patch inline with the edge of the fascia board, its hard to tell but is that mortar missing from between the bricks in that area?
also get yourself in your loft and see if any wheres damp around that corner in case the flashing's leaking and waters running down to that point.
and check ya gutters not leaking at that end.

 

[endecotp]

Ask your neighbours if they also have a damp patch.

 

[DumbBlonde5]

Thank you for the replies. I am concerned about the response from the roofer. He came out this morning and said there is nothing wrong with tiles or guttering. In his opinion it's because of the direction of the recent rain. This rain has hit the flashing and it needs repointing or something. It will cost us approx £200. I questioned why we have had nothing come through before with our very wet winter and again he said it's because of the rain direction. It can go years before it hits in that direction. Does this sound right?

Next door still have concrete gutters so I am going to ask them about whether they have any issues. Mind you could their guttering be at fault and only affect us with the cavity walls?

 

[ree]

Their concrete gutter could be at fault and affecting your walls.
Any moisture entering the abutment brickwork (above the stepped flashing) might also be finding its way down.

Quite what the roofer is responsible for on your front roof is not clear? Walking about on any roof is not a good idea.
The only way a sound opinion can be given is if someone ladders up to the gutters - flashing can be lifted and examined underneath etc. Even a water test can be made.
Pics should be taken.

The roof tile or slate should overshoot into the gutter, and the roofing underfelt should lap into the gutter. The lead flashing should also overshoot into the gutter.