1890 Cottage - Damp spot

[ray]

Hi all

It has been a while since I've been here.

Can I please have some advice.

There is a single black spot (about 7mm) on the inside wall between us an our neighbour. Not major, you may think, but:

- We're end of terrace and the outside wall has considerable work on it, about seven years, for damp; the inside wall in the corner had a little bit of damp identified though we left this

- The bedroom upstairs and the room below, that the corner of the wall where the black spot is, shows slight movement - the plaster /wall has cracked about 1mm

- I've repainted over the black spot again and again and it is appearing through

So - could this be the sign of a major problem? Damp? Subsistence?

I appreciate this is minor - buy we're concerned that there is a bigger problem to happen.

Thanks in advance.

Ray

 

[MdB]

Hi Ray,

Pictures would be useful as would details of the damp work that has been done. (Does this involve injections and coatings?) It may not involve the wall that has issues but it would give indications of the type of work that has been done. Also what are you repainting with?

You may also like to look at the damp FAQ here: http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6777

 

[Penners]

Ray - as MdB says, a picture would help.

There are so many possible causes of this black spot - many of which could be nothing to do with damp at all. For example, an iron stain in the plaster could be the explanation.

Your neighbour's name isn't Blind Pugh is it?

 

[ray]

All

Thanks for the replies.

Firstly:

| floor types (on either side for int. walls) = cement/relaid floorboards our side; kitchen with slate tiles on neighbours side

| ground heights (for ext. walls) = is on an internal wall

| plaster type = unknown; house converted c1980

| wall construction = brick/lime on outside;

| problem being experienced = sinlge black spot on wall

| what the room is used for = small study

Attached is a pic - it is a light grey - not black - spot. I painted over it many times with white matt emulsion but it still reappears.

Regarding the rest of the house, the flank wall to the end of terrace was 80% in length replastered internally to about 1.1m high; there have been no problems since on that side of the house.

At the time the company who undertook the damp work (we knew and trust the owner) said there was a small bit of damp at this part fo the house - back righthand corner to inside wall of end of terrace.

If this is an iron spot - is this harmless? And why would it have just suddenly appeared?

Oh and no, neighbour isn't Blind Pugh!!!

Thanks/Ray

 

[Penners]

As it's just one spot, I think my first approach would be just to paint some Stain Block on it (spread the paint out a couple of inches beyond the spot all around). Once dry,overpaint with the same white emulsion.

Then wait.....

It's possible that you'll have no further trouble from it. But if it still appears, then post back here and let us know. Thinking caps will be re-donned.

This the sort of thing - other brands are available: http://www.icipaints.co.uk/products/info/polycell_trade_polycell_stain_block.jsp

 

[Moo]

Why not simply hang a picture over it?

 

[Penners]

Such wisdom is a rare and wonderful thing.