Damp wallplate, old house (ed.)

[willsamyh]

Hi there, can anyone suggest any causes of the following. As in picture the wooden top plate of our old house seems to constantly have moisture coming through. I’ve checked the brick work on the outside and seems sealed enough. But the wood is soaking in doors in that corner and perfectly dry on the right side. Brickwork underneath it seems perfectly dry. Could it be taking ages to dry out? Any ideas would be appreciated

 

[Dork Lard]

That looks like it has been wet for no more than 5mins.

Do you know how it got wet???

 

[willsamyh]

I know what you mean but It’s been like that for weeks. Could it be constant condensation on the surface? For some reason not across the whole beam though

 

[^woody^]

You wont get condensation on timber that's right next to a brick wall

 

[JohnD]

Is the leak in the roof? I think I see a bay window that will have a little roof and some flashing. Show us external pics please

If not, where?

 

[Koolpc]

Thats got to be from a leak somewhere.

 

[willsamyh]

Is the leak in the roof? I think I see a bay window that will have a little roof and some flashing. Show us external pics please

If not, where?

from the outside it is equivalent of top right of the window. It’s not a bay window - that’s just the thickness of the walls

 

[JohnD]

from the outside it is equivalent of top right of the window.

Next to the rainwater downpipe, and the sloping roof with no gutter and no flashing, you mean?

Has it rained recently?

Please stand back and take a wider pic to show the whole wall, roof and gutter, and identify where the internal wet is.

 

[Koolpc]

There is your issue. No gutter!

 

[willsamyh]

So you think rain running down chimney wall. Or seeping through non-lead flashing

 

[tell80]

OP,
Water will be penetrating your brickwork from the chimney breast shoulder sand and cement fillet, lack of a gutter, and water running down below in that inside corner.
The inside corner and brickwork above shows very poor pointing.
The window frame has not been sealed correctly.
All foliage close to the property should be cut back or removed from the brickwork.

The chimney breast shows a dirty flue line - the flue or flues need sweeping.
Large areas of the chimney breast need raking out to 25mm and pointing with a 4:1 S&L mix.
Various perished bricks need replacing.
I cant be sure but it looks as tho part of the chimney breast shoulder is moving, and slightly leaning forward:
check it for plumb.
The c/b shoulder roof needs stripping and replacing with lead flashing, and a gutter, and a proper verge.

If you look up to the where the chimney stack meets the plastic gutter you will see a piece of the stack back gutter lead thats incorrectly fitted - the plastic gutter outlet fitting is sagging.

I would suspect the c/b shoulder, & nearby pointing as the most suspicious culprits for water penetrating on to your beam.

 

[willsamyh]

Thanks very much for taking the time. I will investigate all these things and try and fix them asap. You’re right too about the chimney breast leaning forward - it’s more obvious when you see it side on. Will post back if I solve it