Damp patch

[DIYnewboy]

Hi, any comments would be greatfully received.

I have just bought a 1950's semi, ive been decorating etc and have noticed a damp patch on the wall in the dining room. the damp is on the chimney breast wall (there is no fire place) about 10 inches above the skirting. Any ideas as to the cause of the damp? any ideas how to rectify?

Thanks.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Dodgy brickwork, dodgy render, dodgy lead flashing, broken gutter, broken downpipe, broken tile, dodgy cavity tray, blocked weephole etc

Once you've found the cause it can be addressed.

 

[jaggs]

I'm no expert but if the chimney is blocked off does it have an airbrick in to allow air circulation

 

[TDBOY]

If the chimney has not been vented internally this is the probable cause of problem.(providing it is the adjoining wall to next door) Also you might have a blockage in your chimney.

 

[noseall]

the damp patch may be due to the presence of hygroscopic salts. this would still require the chimney to be vented, but the source or the damp may be harder to determine as hygroscopic salts will pull in moisture from the air.