Large damp patch on first floor flank wall

Posted by June Robertson, on Tue 14 Jan 2014 03:22pm

I have a damp patch which, with all the recent rain, is spreading quite rapidly. It is mainly on the flank wall and front wall. I think it is an issue with perished pointing rather than roof or gutters. I realise that it's not really the right time of year for re-pointing but would welcome any advice. I don't want the damp to spread too far.

David Halliday

Wed 15 Jan 2014 08:48am

Hi June, If you are worried that you have issues with failed pointing there is an easy way to check it. Take a fifty pence piece and lightly run it over the pointing if you here a dull sound then the pointing has become friable and needs to be replaced. Buildings are designed in a way to let moisture pass in and out and under no circumstances should you try to seal the external wall as all this will do is trap moisure behind and form a barrier. Ordinary cement should not be used to repoint as this is around 95% non porous. This causing problems in itself. On the market there are two products which are used for re pointing which allows moisture to pass through freely. Dave

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Nathan Pepper

Wed 15 Jan 2014 06:13am

We are dealing with a lot of this at the moments. The answer is to repoint any perished mortar joints, if needs be the entire wall. Once pointing is sufficiently dry (approx 2 weeks) a high quality water seal can be applied. Water sealing without repointing the damaged areas will be ineffective as the gaps in the masonry will be to large to benefit from the product. Use a high quality seal that allows the brickwork to breath or you will end up making the problem worse. Nathan FocalPoint

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Chris Mead

Wed 15 Jan 2014 01:01am

Hi June You need to put your problem on Rated People. You will get three builders to look and get three opinions, these quotes and opinions will be free. The only problem is the cost, as this could vary greatly, it all depends on what's causing it. I would say a fair price to put on is under £250 Good luck Chris

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Joseph Smith

Tue 14 Jan 2014 05:11pm

Hi June, after reading your message I recommend you get your wall re pointed ASAP as the weather we are having at the moment is not doing no good at all to your wall. Ideally summertime is always better to do any work but it's certainly a job that's need sorting now rather than later as it will cause much more damage. There are mixes to put in a cement mix that stops any frost setting in. Hope we have helped .

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Chris Plastow

Tue 14 Jan 2014 04:07pm

Google a product Enviroseal , it's a Siloxane silicone of a water base , spray the wall liberally . This will stop water penetration for about twenty years !

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