Damp patches appearing on internal walls. Help!

[Ben robson]

Hi,

I live in a terraced stone built cottage built in 1900. We have had bad wind and rain where I live lately and I have patches of damp appearing on my landing area internal walls. I really don't know what is causing this. Been told it could be penetrating damp or just condensation. I'll try upload images and I would appreciate anyone's help.

 

[HERTS P&D]

What's the guttering like?

Andy

 

[Ben robson]

Hi Andy, I've not been able to check yet. I'm waiting for my dad to come as he had ladders. I did think perhaps they're overflowing but I would have thought a larger area of the wall would be damp, but what do I know. When it's raining heavily, I do sometimes see a small amount of water flowing down the window. Somebody else had told me it could be condensation or a leak in the eaves of the loft trickling down the wall internally.

 

[Burnerman]

The guttering and down comers are the first things to check, Ben, as Andy says. Next, the seals between the window frames and stonework is worth checking at the same time.
I've had water ingress through my exterior stone (50's cottage, stone, cavity, thermalite) for the first time ever, due to prolonged horizontal rain so I'll be spraying it with Waterseal or similar when (if) it dries up a bit.
John

 

[Ben robson]

Thanks John. Do you think it's anything serious or very costly to sort out? It's my first house and I've only lived here a few months and I'm skint haha. I'm really worrying about it being something serious

 

[Burnerman]

The house has stood for a good while Ben, it ain't going to fall down on you now!
Plaster doesn't like getting wet though, so do attend to what we've suggested as soon as you can......the worst scenario is the plaster would need to be replaced as it tends to powder somewhat.
So.....do check the pointing outside for cracks, gaps or whatever and get back to us with what you find. Another issue with terraced properties is the join between the neighbours roofs and yours, especially if you are on a hill.
Keep us informed!
John

 

[Ben robson]

Thank you for your help. I know I'm probably being over dramatic but I worry. Need this bloody rain to stop! It's relentless. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again

 

[Ben robson]

It's actually belting it down now and I've just gone around the back and the gutters are overflowing. There's a stream of water running down the stone. So I'm guessing it is the gutters which are blocked up

 

[joe-90]

Sometimes gutters just get overloaded with the type of rain we get these days. It's certainly proof of climate change.

 

[London Mike 49]

The moss in my gutters seems to grow faster than my grass!!