Discovered Damp Wall

[Redhelen72]

We discovered a damp external wall at my MILs house last week - tis the lounge wall with a window to the driveway.

The damp patch is about 8 ft long and about 2 feet high on the same wall as a radiator - the radiator is not leaking that I can tell. - the plaster is starting to bubble.

I know this is like how long is a piece of string but any ideas what is causing it and approx how much it will cost to rectify.

I am slightly worried as I just discovered she had not insurance on her buildings and contents  - but I don't think you can claim this type of repairs on insurance can you?

[The Builder]

Hiya Red. What age is the house?

[Redhelen72]

1930 semi detached

[Redhelen72]

Thank you builder - hoped you may be about x

[The Builder]

1930s semi. always solid and predictable, if not a little unimaginative  😄

It's that time of year Helen. 'Season of mists, mellow fruitfulness ..........  and damp.'

Solid walls with most likely a poured pitch damp-proof course. They have been known to fail, but I would say that it's unlikely over a whole 8 feet.

Don't let any 'specialist' near it with a ********* damp-meter (my asterisks.) They'll prescribe a remedial damp-course at great expense.  

Most likely..........  condensation on a cold wall exacerbated by her not keeping the room warm enough.

It's a guessing game Helen. (Sorry... that should read 'considered opinion')

But that's by far the most common culprit.

[Redhelen72]

Cheers - we have convinced her to put the heating on more as she is in credit (a lot) with the energy company - she does insist on keeping the radiators turned down to 2 - will get my brother in law to turn them up to 4 next time he goes up.

Will check on it when we are over in a few months again.

thank you so much - appreciate your time