Hi,

looking for some advice on a damp patch above the window in my kitchen. Recently had the back wall and ceiling in my kitchen replastered and within a few days a damp patch had appeared above the window. As I had a painter due in a few days I attempted a quick fix by painting over it with Ronseal anti damp paint (choosing to ignore the advice that the source of the damp must be fixed first).

I assume that the problem has previously been there, but the act of stripping of the old wallpaper and plastering has just made it more apparent. So the question is what's causing it? The damp patch is right in the middle of the window, this corresponds to the middle of the lintel on the outside. The mortar either side of the lintel is in pretty poor nick, with large chunks missing. Is it possible moisture from outside is getting through these gaps onto the new plaster?

Currently looks terrible and I'm trying to sell my house, so any advice on the cause and how to fix it would be much appreciated.

It could be penetrating damp from outside.

Is that IVY climbing up the wall?

That stuff makes an awful mess of masonry, especially the mortar!

_________________
DIY | Donnas dream house

Ivy has been cut off from roots, so it's dead and no longer growing, just need to pull it off.

If it is penetrating damp what's my next course of action?

From the pattern it is not rising damp so start high and work down. Is it a cavity wall?? I would check roof tiles, gutters other windows above this checking for leaks and gaps. Never underestimate how far water will travel to find its way down.

DWD

Can check the roof. I'm no expert but my understanding is that the age of the house (101) means there won't be cavity walls, is that right?

Hmmm... if there is a gap in the mortar outside, adjacent to a big damp patch on the inside? point the bugger up? lol
Looks like you got the top half of your house rendered & painted, rain water will hit this & make its way down to yer crack! I don't see a bell drip on it either.
Maybe lack of a dpm tray above your lintel too.
Once pointed (and set hard) paint the whole lot with a clear silicone solution for £12 odd. Wipe off any mess with a damp cloth asap & leave a dust sheet on the path below until yer done.

Ok repointing done. While up there doing it I had a good look at the lintel in daylight and it's definitely damp on the outside, so no doubt all the way through. Can I just paint over with the silicone solution or does it need dried out first, if so how do you dry out a 6 inch thick sandstone block, if not how long would it take for any remaining moisture in the sandstone to come through the other side?

hmmmm.... good question, ideally it ought to be nice & dry, but that isn't going to happen is it? if you try to dry it with a lamp, it may pop in places......... hmmmmm? ok, dry as much as you can with a heat gun, then paint said bugger! (put on some safety specs honestly... just in case there may be a small air pocket behind the surface....this is me talking from experience!)

lol, don't happen to have a heat lamp lying around, how about a couple of hairdryers for a while?

will give it a go as it is and see how it goes, thanks for your help

you are welcome mate