Smell of clay/plaster on walls

[keo1964]

We moved into our house 9 months ago, we have noticed that wall that seemed to have been stripped of wallpaper and then skimmed over and painted, continually smell of plaster/clay when it is raining or humid.

One wall in particular is the external wall on our stairs, which almost always smells like this, but especially during this recent wet spell/

The other wall is a internal wall, where the chimney breast was removed and what I assume is either a dab and plasterboard or a stud and plasterboard wall.

It is driving me mad.

Any ideas,

 

[peaps2]

what sort of property do you live in?

 

[keo1964]

1930's 3 bed semi.

 

[stephenlaw22]

No expert here! But we have same problem, smell of wet plaster every time it rains.
I personally think it's the paint. Crown have told me that new Odorless Paint has no sealant in it therfore emitting no strong smells. I feel the downside to this is that it lets in moisture from the room when it is humid, this dampens the plaster and gives off the smell of wet plaster. I have turned up the heating and used a dehumidifier, this works until the next time it rains. Crown recommend using an alkali resistant sealer and using a paint with sealant in it from a specialist stockist. (http://www.askcrown.co.uk/faq/wall-odour-phenomenon-3/) I hope this will work for me, still have to try it and also gives you a new idea to try. Hope to get some feedback?