Tim Lamb wrote:
In message , Jeweller
writes
I'm hoping there's a specialist around here who can help me with
advice about our walls.

It's an old house built of brick with no cavity. The oldest bit
(C1720) has solid walls 3 bricks deep and mostly these are OK.
A later addition (C1840) has walls only 2 bricks deep and it's these
walls that are causing us some grief.

The outside is painted, (the bricks are too soft for sand-blasting)
and the pointing is apparently intact but I'm happy to be advised on
this.
The wet summer has brought damp patches inside these 2 brick deep walls.

Are you sure it is penetrating damp rather than condensation on a cold
surface?

A flat we let had just such a problem on a North facing uninsulated
cavity wall. It is likely our tenants are not allowing sufficient
heat/ventilation into the room during a wet, coldish Spring.

regards

Or rising damp due to Zero DPC and sodden ground, and boy has it been
sodden this year..

If uyour damp p[atches are all low down, - usually less than 4-5" off
the floor, that might be it.

If they are all high up, suspect guttering failure etc.

If it is penetrating, and you cant get the paint off, then put more on
to stop the water getting in.



As I repeat endlessly, there are two approaches to dry houses: stop the
moisture getting in, or help it get out easily.

Bad paint doesn't do the former, and prevents the latter ;-)