Damp or leak?

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Hello DIYers,
I’m struggling with how to approach this damp issue I seem to have near my front door. We have had other areas of damp treated in our home previously but this is behind pipework and different in appearance and I’m not sure if it’s actually a result of a leak. We had our front door replaced December of 2023 and redecorated the hallway shortly afterwards, with no obvious signs of any damp/leaks at the time. Recently I have noticed some damp patches along the plastic trim to the frame of the front door which is parallel to some pipework. There is also a small patch of damp on the other side of the door, again near a pipe. I’m now seeing rust coloured deposits coming through the plaster which I have never seen before. Google is telling me this is more likely a result of moisture near metal components within the wall seeping through, which could be from generic damp or a leak on a pipe. I’m not sure who I need to contact, a plumber or a damp specialist. I’ve attached some photos below. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
 

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Do you know which pipe it is? Looks like it could be gas pipe or condensate pipe. What's the other side of the wall?
 
On the right hand side, I believe the pipes are heating/supply pipes. Maybe the larger one is a gas pipe I’m not sure. Not too sure about the pipe on the left either but it has a stopcock attached so that must be a supply pipe right? The left hand side wall is a party wall with our neighbour and the right side wall is adjacent to our lounge. No signs of any damp in our lounge and neighbour hasn’t said anything about his side of the wall. Seems to be isolated to our hallway.
 
Ok, so the one where the stopcock is feel the pipe for a leak, precursor though, there could be condensation on its so might need to wipe it dry first.

Can you take photos of the condition of any sealant and pointing used on the frame/brickwork outside?

The one that could be a gas pipe - if you could confirm that the gas meter is the other side of it and pipe looks like it joins?
 
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You can see white chalky deposits on the right hand side near the rusty bit - which tells me it’s salt damage. The other damp we had treated in our dining room was salt damage. This house was flooded back in the 60’s I believe. So maybe there was existing damp here but we just couldn’t see it until recently as it’s got worse in the humid winter weather but I’m confused why there’s damp all the way up the trim of the door frame almost to the ceiling - maybe the installation of the new front door has something to do with it?
 
Yes our gas meter is adjacent outside to that pipe so it most likely is a gas pipe. The pipe with the stopcock doesn’t feel wet at all. It’s cold but not wet and no condensation. We have a small water bill every month so if there is a leak it is very minor. I’ve taken some photos of outside. Let me know what you think…
 

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There's a chunk of pointing missing, and a few cracks where the lintel is, but apart from that can't see much else wrong. Any gutters leaking? Do you have a boiler that suffers pressure loss?
 
Yes the pointing is a bit shoddy which is something we wanted to sort at some point. Could that be the main cause letting moisture in? No issues with the gutters as far as I know. The boiler pressure stays in the green zone when in use and when off. The only time it changes is when I first turn the heating off the pressure goes up a bit but then comes back down shortly after. Not sure if that’s good or bad!
 
Yes the pointing is a bit shoddy which is something we wanted to sort at some point. Could that be the main cause letting moisture in?
Yes it could be.
The boiler pressure stays in the green zone when in use and when off. The only time it changes is when I first turn the heating off the pressure goes up a bit but then comes back down shortly after.
Sounds like it's a damp issue then, providing your water bill hasn't increased
Not sure if that’s good or bad!
That's good it's how they operate due to expansion from heating the water
 
Ok thank you for all the advice, much appreciated. Do you think having rust coming through the plaster is a normal symptom of penetrating damp? Also who do you think I should first get to come out and have a look at it?
 
Yes I'm in agreement with Google, as you'll have metal plaster beads and anything else that's non corrosion resistant. Depends on how long it's been happening. Rust can happen in about 3 days.
 
Stand back and take a wider pic please.

Also some wider pics outside showing round and above the doorframe, all the way up to roof and gutters.

The damp patch is very localised suggesting a leak, but I can't tell if it's pipe or doorframe.

I can see your water supply pipe is lead so probably a hundred years old and likely leaking in the floor. Is it a concrete floor? Take up the floor covering and look for wet patches

Have you got a water meter?
 
I notice your doorstep is very close to ground level. Can you see the DPC? And any airbricks? It looks like you are in London.
 
I’ve only noticed the rust over the Christmas break so pretty recent. I might just contact the same damp company that came out last time and see what they think. They’ll hopefully be able to help establish if there is any chance of a leak contributing to it. I’m not confident in ripping up my floor - might have to get my other half to look into that! But I’ll consider a leak in the floor or a leak in the wall when getting this resolved. No not in London, but in the south east. I agree that the dpc could be compromised, would explain why the worst of the damp is at ground level.
 

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