Damp due to wall being only one brick wide (115mm)?
Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 3.22 PM
A couple of years ago, the back bedroom in my house was extended and over the next few years, damp has begun to set in the extended part of the wall as well as the corner. I have reason to believe the builders had made the extension only one brick wide as the thickness of the wall comes to about 115mm. This was apparently due to the neighbours not giving planning permission for us to make a cavity or double wall. Waterproofing solution has been applied to the bricks outside to prevent more water from coming in but I’m unable to tell if there’s a noticeable difference. Is the damp due to the wall being only one brick wide or could it be something else, and if so how would you recommend sorting this issue out?
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Your biggest issue here is not rain water penetration as that’s easy to prevent by coating the exterior skin, the biggest issue here is heat loss resulting in condensation to the interior surface and if that surface is plastered with a gypsum product , it’s even worse .
Insulate the wall interior for the best results .
Answered7 August 2021
3
Anonymous user
You need to insulate the inside of the wall to stop heat loss and condensation if only one brick wide..
Answered7 August 2021
1
Anonymous user
Penetrating damp is an issue and as such as no cavity was provided leaves the internal side of wall subject to dampness and nowhere for the excess water to go or air flow through the cavity to dry the area yes it could be treated externally with a coating however as the wall is only 115mm thick leads me to believe that no or limited access to the external side would create a problem carring out the work i.e scaffolding etc i suggest that an internal wall be constructed with insulation and damp barrier with cavity space and ventilation provided to combat water ingress and condensation
Answered7 August 2021
1
Anonymous user
I understand the fact that you have issues with damp, however what is more concerning is the fact that the wall appears to be single skinned. Therefore is it actually capable of serving its structural purpose? I recommend that you give consideration to employing a structural engineer to assess the wall. It would also be advisable to try and make contact with the original builder to ascertain what works where initially carried out and if there are any original plans, specifications, guarantees etc.
