damp problem in single brick wall porch

[exmoor dave]

right had our tenant in the cottage stop me to day to say (and show me) a problem with damp on the inside walls of the porch.

walls are single brick thick, plastered on the inside, does catch the worse of the weather.

he says he's painted with anti-mould paint several times (which i believe he has)

but now he wants it re-plastered as he feels its infected with mould, thats no problem, but its going to happen again unless we do something different.

the porch isn't heated, and to be honest would cost a fortune to heat.
there is a damp proof membrane, but no idea if its still effective.

he has suggested painting the outside of the brick porch with something to stop the damp coming in? (the bricks are bare on the outside)

Any suggestions?

anything we could put between the bricks and the plaster?

i live in a identical cottage and have the same problem, just not that bothered as its only the porch.

 

[SilliamWhale]

Plaster the outside to help rain penetration if you fancy.

Its basically condensation gathering on the cold spots. Can you ventilate it without the home getting cold?

We've had virtually 100% precipitation since November so that's not helping!

 

[Badshot]

Aqua seal waterproofer painted on the outside will stop damp coming through, it's a clear liquid that I can't seem to find any links for at the minute

 

[SilliamWhale]

Another option which may help and not be too dear.

Stick some celotex on and plasterboard. Either stud wall it or use metal tracks, or dotndab or use plastic fixings. 50mm celotex may keep your man happy.

 

[defender]

I have a similar problem on a sandstone wall and wondered about using this product
http://www.stormdry.com/?gclid=CKmSts6rs7wCFYWWtAodsjMARw
anyone tried it ?

 

[exmoor dave]

Plaster the outside to help rain penetration if you fancy.

Its basically condensation gathering on the cold spots. Can you ventilate it without the home getting cold?

We've had virtually 100% precipitation since November so that's not helping!

i did point that out to him!

i think it could be a dual problem of damp getting thro the walls but also lack of any ventilation or heating, the only window also faces the prevailing weather.

 

[Kevtherev]

Clad the brick work with slates or render it to stop rain soaking through?

 

[SilliamWhale]

Cheap way is lime harling. Basically chuck on a coat of rough sand and hydrated lime.

 

[exmoor dave]

thanks chaps, i'll look in to these suggestions and see what can be done.

 

[Badshot]

This is what I used.

 

[Steevo]

Thompson's water seal is what we use here:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/thompson-s-water-seal/52043

 

[Badshot]

Thompson's water seal is what we use here:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/thompson-s-water-seal/52043

Probably the same stuff, it's lasted about 15 years here so far, ought to redo it I guess.

 

[Shetlandsheep]

Cheap way is lime harling. Basically chuck on a coat of rough sand and hydrated lime.

This tho its hydraulic lime you want plus sand. The sand should have a mix of large and small particles in it for best results. The lime render (harl) will hold a lot of the water and allow it to gradually evaporate. Our house before harling even tho repointed had a bit of dampness, once harling done, dry as a bone. Plus it's bloody attractive as it follows the contours of the underlying material, gives it real character.

 

[SilliamWhale]

This tho its hydraulic lime you want plus sand. The sand should have a mix of large and small particles in it for best results. The lime render (harl) will hold a lot of the water and allow it to gradually evaporate. Our house before harling even tho repointed had a bit of dampness, once harling done, dry as a bone. Plus it's bloody attractive as it follows the contours of the underlying material, gives it real character.

I've used both. Fresh hydrated is ok too. That said Hydraulic lime always used to be dearer and now its quite good price as its more popular maybe the same price even. I use something called concreting sand which is very rough sand - never builders sand. Given the choice hydraulic is better I agree.

I've never harled a big area - just a few small sheds and walls, I agree it looks nice when done.

 

[roscoe erf]

If you get the weather like we do that sealer paint on stuff is useless clad the wall batton insulate and clad with timber worked well for us

 

[SilliamWhale]

If you get the weather like we do that sealer paint on stuff is useless clad the wall batton insulate and clad with timber worked well for us

What kind of wood did you clad with?

 

[roscoe erf]

What kind of wood did you clad with?

Oak

 

[Badshot]

If you get the weather like we do that sealer paint on stuff is useless clad the wall batton insulate and clad with timber worked well for us

If your pointing is crap then that is true, but if your pointing is ok the aquaseal works very well, can't be much more exposed than here

 

[suffolksmallholder]

If you get the weather like we do that sealer paint on stuff is useless clad the wall batton insulate and clad with timber worked well for us

That's what I'd do but I'd use Larch if I could. There's plenty about. Try and stay away from feather-edge. My favourite is 7'' x 3/4'' sawn and treated but you may find 8'' x 1'' as good. 50mm x 50mm battens @ 400mm centres infilled with 40mm insulation, Tyvec over the battens then the weather board. Sorted!
Someone mentioned slate and I also suggest tile hanging as an alternative.
No matter what you do with single brick it is still a sponge and that's why cavity walls are so effective at keeping out driven water.
SS

 

[hurst1]

Resurrecting an old thread. But does anybody have recommendations or a brick sealer that I could spray on with knapsack over a cottage?