Is this damp or discoloured bricks

[Suspicious]

We are in the process of buying a house and we have noticed what looks like a damp patch on its external wall. Our vendors say that it’s not damp but different colour bricks that were not mixed by the bricklayer. Should we organise a damp survey?

 

[Bill Door]

Can't see a damp patch. Can you circle the area you're referring to?

I assume you don't mean the multiple black splodges which look to me to be something like....

Betley Cottage Blend - Bricks

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[Koolpc]

No damp there.

 

[Suspicious]

I’ve circled it

 

[foxhole]

Looks to be external tap which would often lead to staining in area around it .

 

[Suspicious]

Now I’ve got a photo of the front of that wall. Damp patch or bricks not mixed? Can the outside bricks be tested for dampness? I suspect all outside wall will be damp to some degree?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I would vote for damp, from that last photo.. Certainly worth a closer inspection, but it seems centred on that tap. I wonder if the tap, might be leaking? .

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

But is the inside damp? Really this is why you have cavity's, to separate the inner and outer skins so even if the outer skin is damp it should not effect the inside. I can't see the tap being responsible, if it even is a damp issue(?), some of it is higher than the tap, would have to be a pretty major leak to cause that.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

some of it is higher than the tap, would have to be a pretty major leak to cause that.

Or a drip, and that wall facing the prevailing wind direction, spreading the moisture around.

 

[AliBingo]

But is the inside damp? Really this is why you have cavity's, to separate the inner and outer skins so even if the outer skin is damp it should not effect the inside. I can't see the tap being responsible, if it even is a damp issue(?), some of it is higher than the tap, would have to be a pretty major leak to cause that.

true that but eventually with enough water it will start to be a problem on the inside too if its too much

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Hmm, in theory perhaps but anyway a dripping tap, £50 for a plumber, hardly a house deal breaker.

Back to the OP, damp surveys are typically carried out by people who want you to use their damp mitigation/fix services and are one of those trades that should be employed very carefully.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

true that but eventually with enough water it will start to be a problem on the inside too if its too much

Eh? How? Assuming it's a cavity wall built correctly Mr Newbie, how will the damp eventually migrate to the inner skin?