How to deal with wet plasterboard?

[Keitai]

the issue is this damp wall and corner of the room. It is from external water penetrating through when it rains. Looking to do what we can to stop the water showing through
The external wall is solid brick - no cavity. The interior is plasterboarded by the feel of it. Probably needs taking off and starting again with a water resistant board or something? Let the water run down to the earth under the floor. We are lower ground (no one underneath) It's been getting worse for a few years now. Suspect the boards and the battens behind are wet

 

[opps]

I guess you need to stop the water ingress in the first place. Any remedial works inside are likely to fail. In time, once the leak has been dealt with, the plaster will dry out, but it might take weeks.

 

[Keitai]

I guess you need to stop the water ingress in the first place. Any remedial works inside are likely to fail. In time, once the leak has been dealt with, the plaster will dry out, but it might take weeks.

Apparently it's just rain coming through an old wall with no cavity!! So they say. What can you do about that?

 

[foxhole]

Who is “they”?
Lower ground = basement?

 

[Keitai]

Given up wanting to stop leak from outside. He just wants to rent out the flat. What's the bestvway to hide these water stains? Some sort of panelling on batons just to right of curtains? Or also going round corner a bit or just ending at corner

 

[Murdochcat]

Who is “he” and who are you ?

 

[HERTS P&D]

Well, I'm glad you are not doing bodge!

I have walked away from jobs where landlords want to cut corners, do the job correctly or find someone else.

Andy

 

[Keitai]

So he's been quoted £15000 to tank the whole room bu professional damp company He doesn't want to pay this. The building is probably gonna be knocked down in a few years. Leak is probably coming from high up and isn't gonna get sorted. He's tried all routes. Just wants damp patches covered up

 

[Keitai]

Who is “he” and who are you ?

Mate who wants a quick solution. Baton and cladding?

 

[securespark]

But covering it up will do nothing and it will be soaking wet again no time.

Either fix the wall properly or bring forward the demolition day.

 

[Keitai]

It's not gonna get solved. The flat currently can't get rented. Would the baton and cladding make situation worse or same? If the same, why not do it?

 

[RrogerD]

It's not gonna get solved. The flat currently can't get rented. Would the baton and cladding make situation worse or same? If the same, why not do it

I agree that you need to fix the problem first. However, if that's not going to happen, here's an idea: affix a wall-mounted radiator / towel-rail / heater to that section of the wall and run it 24/7. It will dry out the damp plasterboard.
Sure, it's going to steadily rotting-away behind but at least it won't show in the room.
Be aware though that that water has to go somewhere as it dries and so also, a dehumidifier needed.
Edit: be mindful of the close-proximity of the curtain. It could overheat any heater placed nearby.

 

[Burnerman]

If you want to get anywhere with this one, then tackle the problem from the outside - particularly around the window.
The original photo isn't too clear of what you are dealing with but you aren't a miracle worker!
If he won't listen to you then it's time to walk.
John

 

[Sunshine32]

‘Mate who wants a quick solution. Baton and cladding?’

Batoning and cladding isn’t a ‘quick solution’ it is a cowboy way to go about it. There is clearly water ingress coming from outside so it’s either faulty guttering, outlet, pointing, flashing, window seals or a roof problem.