Moisture in cupboard under stairs

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Hi guys,

Recently bought a home, been here around 1 week and noticed an earthy smell inside the cupboard under the stairs.

This is where the electrics is located. My knowledge isn't great with this however the texture under the laid down flooring feels like cement, parts of it feel slightly damp (barely). I lifted the matt up which is currently covering it and took pictures which I will provide with this post.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas on where to start or can advise on best things to do? Anyone else experienced something like this or similar?

The cupboard isn't near any moist appliances as far as I'm aware however circulation is probably bad under there. I've left the cupboard door open to help air it out and will place a dehumidifier there to absorb any excess moisture from the air.

Thanks in advance.
 

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It looks like it is concentrated at the left under the laminate.

Could quite possibly be a leak.
 
Hey thanks for the reply man.

Yeah possibly, I'm really hoping there isn't anything serious. I was thinking maybe its concentrated to the left due to that being where the entrance is and there's nothing securing the joining between the laminate in the hallway to the flooring in the cupboard.. so was thinking moist air could potentially be getting underneath and due to lack of circulation in the cupboard it causing damp and mould?

However in the above scenario I dunno if that explains the random black spots in the center .
 
I think there is too much damp and mold for this just to be air/circulation related.

I would first check around that nearby radiator or for any pipes that might go through here.

if it isn't a leak:

Ask your neighbors if they had similar houses I would ask if they have ever encountered any issues. If they haven't then maybe look at some factors that would cause your house in particular to have an issue.
 
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Also I would say you might wish to get the electrical installation inspected so you know it's condition or maybe make a seperate post here to get people thoughts.
 
I have attached an image of the nearest radiator, from what I see it seems the associated pipes do not cross underneath the cupboard.

That's a good idea asking neighbours etc I'll give that a go.
 

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Also I would say you might wish to get the electrical installation inspected so you know it's condition or maybe make a seperate post here to get people thoughts.

OK great I'll do that soon as possible. Thank you.
 
Does anything in the area look odd? Like it's new or has been more recently decorated?

It's good that you can see the rad and it's pipes and can hopefully rule that out.

What's that thing to the left of the hatch?looks like a capped off pipe?
 
Does anything in the area look odd? Like it's new or has been more recently decorated?

It's good that you can see the rad and it's pipes and can hopefully rule that out.

What's that thing to the left of the hatch?looks like a capped off pipe?

I cannot see anything that looks particularly odd. That pipe you mentioned I'm not actually sure what that is for, it has some kind of screw/unscrew section at the top.

Yeah you're right about the capped off pipe in the back left corner. I've felt around the pipe itself and cannot feel any wetness to determine it's related to this.

Just incase it's of any use I've uploaded further files.
 

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I would let it dry out, then continue to investigate. If it stays wet then the water is coming from somewhere!

It's possible that it could all be from one larger historic leak.

Still doesn't immediately preclude that something isn't leaking slowly around this area.

Please make another post about the electrics and/or get expert in.
 
I would let it dry out, then continue to investigate. If it stays wet then the water is coming from somewhere!

It's possible that it could all be from one larger historic leak.

Still doesn't immediately preclude that something isn't leaking slowly around this area.

Please make another post about the electrics and/or get expert in.

Thanks for the help man. The post regarding electrics is this to see if the electrics could be Impacted due to damp/moist in the same room?
 
It just looks untidy and in need of inspection. It should have a label on it saying when it's due.
 
Capped off pipe is an old steel gas pipe.
Picture of outside if it’s an external wall may help. Any idea if water main goes under that bit?

also what’s on the other side of the wall where that open 15mm pipe is?
 
Capped off pipe is an old steel gas pipe.
Picture of outside if it’s an external wall may help. Any idea if water main goes under that bit?

also what’s on the other side of the wall where that open 15mm pipe is?

Ohhh OK thats useful to know. Also picture of the outside isn't possible as it's joined onto the neighbour. The other wall is the living room wall (so internal).

I'll add pictures for context. Funnily enough the living room corner next to cupboard did have rising damp issue which was looked into in 2002 and 2010. I'm not sure if this is related though.

See pics attached.
 

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