Possible problem with pebbledashing

[rubble2]

We have had an on going problem with damp under the window of our downstairs bay. I have asked the advice of a builder and he had a close look at the problem and although he couldn't actually find a definate source for the damp, he suspected that the problem might be water getting behind the render in the area between the upstairs and downstairs bays.

He suggested that the water may be travelling down the sandstone pillars that form the downstairs bay, hitting something non permeable and spreading out through the plaster under the window area.

So the question is (finally) if there is water getting behind the pebbledash, can this be confirmed by tapping the render and listening for a hollow area? or should I just bite the bullet and get the whole area between the two bay windows hacked off and replaced?

Any advice gratefully received

 

[trowelmonkey1]

hmm, so your damp is downstairs? and he thinks it's getting in from above the window and running down? why does he suspect this? not possible it's rising damp?

 

[roy c]

Put an hose pipe on it , start at the bottom and move slowly up. iIt may take a while to show thru but be patient

 

[rubble2]

It isn't rising damp, the damp proof was replaced about 9 years ago and the damp appears under the window and spreads down the wall. The area above the skirting board is dry.

Good idea with the hose, just have to wait until it stops raining enough to see what is happening!

Any way assuming that his suggestion is correct, is it possible to detect the area on the pebbledash where water is getting in by any method?