Damp Patch on Internal Wall Possible Bridging Issue and Possible to Tackle Internally?

by **diana600** » Mon Feb 29, 2016 9:14 am

I have a damp patch, now about 2ft wide and 9ins deep, on an external stonebuilt gable wall (no insulation), appearing on plasterboard (not plastered). It started about 7 years ago and is slowly getting bigger. I think it may be a bridging issue. I can't see anything outside which would have caused it.
As an interim measure can I cut the plasterboard inside and clean it out? Realise that this won't solve the damp. Any advice please would be very gratefully received. Thank you!

by **Fred c** » Thu Mar 10, 2016 7:22 pm

Hi Diana if the pointing on the stonework is good you could consider spraying with a clear sealer. These sealers do not change the appearance of the stone and i find that they do work, in my opinion it is important to only use these sealers when the wall is as dry as possible.(after a prolonged dry spell)

by **tileclipproman** » Fri Mar 11, 2016 12:04 pm

I would inspect the roof first as if it is the roof you are wasteing you time cutting out plaster board.

by **diana600** » Sun Mar 13, 2016 11:36 am

Thank you guys for your good suggestions (Fred c (clear sealant) and tilecliproman (roof), both of which I will investigate.

In the meantime a local builder has taken out a section of plasterboard with a padsaw and discovered that the old sandstone lintel of a removed fireplace was touching the plasterboard. The battens were behind the level of the lintel... He's chipped off the offending part and put damp-proofing behind the battens.
Its obviously a very old (1950's) piece of shoddy workmanship!

He's patched the plasterboard, and replastered and done a good job for a tiny price. There are excellent builders out there.