Cold solid walls, how to heat?

Lukeedwards88

margi_g wrote: »

Is it near the floor or much further up?

Its 3/4 of the way down the wall.

margi_g

do you think there might be something going on with the floor and something my need investigating there?
This plaster problem sounds like its a symptom not a cause of your problem

Lukeedwards88

margi_g wrote: »

do you think there might be something going on with the floor and something my need investigating there?
This plaster problem sounds like its a symptom not a cause of your problem

Don't think so, there are no other signs on the same wall, there was a small patch on the opposite side of the door frame, but that went after painting etc, think that was just general wear and tear of use.

According to the plasterer, its not any form of damp as the plaster is bone dry, just spots of condensation/moisture on the surface. I have covered the area in damp proof paint, and there is still bits showing.

The only thing yet to be resolved is the cold wall, so I am thinking it has to be that. The air is quite humid atm, the house is right next to the sea and gets rather humid at times

Furts

You have countered my view on condensation, but consider a fundamental. It is summer, so say the outside of your home is at 18C, say the inside of your home is at 18C. The temperatures are identical so how can condensation occur on a "cold" surface when everything is at the same temperature?


Something may be wrong but you cannot say your problem is "condensation". But since you believe you have a problem area the obvious answer is to remove the wallpaper/paint/plaster and investigate what the issue is.

margi_g

it is for brickwork and stone wall which is the problem my relative had . But she only knew she had a cold wall and that was about 2 feet from the floor,the cold wall was a result of the problem much further down it was coming up as what I think might be called rising damp. We are waiting for a stone mason to fix this now as the stonework has had the wrong render on for years

Lukeedwards88

Furts wrote: »

You have countered my view on condensation, but consider a fundamental. It is summer, so say the outside of your home is at 18C, say the inside of your home is at 18C. The temperatures are identical so how can condensation occur on a "cold" surface when everything is at the same temperature?


Something may be wrong but you cannot say your problem is "condensation". But since you believe you have a problem area the obvious answer is to remove the wallpaper/paint/plaster and investigate what the issue is.

I can't see it being any thing else than condensation. Survey done - no signs of damp, plasterer same thing. Was in room and water formed on the service and then went with door open. All the signs for me anyway point to condensation. I want to explore every avenue before hacking the wall to realise there is no issue. The walls are not wet, there are no signs of leaks, cracked render.

I know the ouside temp can be the same as indoors, it does not neccesarily mean that the temp of the wall is the same temperature?

Lukeedwards88

When we first moved in, I saw severe condensation form when we were cooking etc.

What would a normal "moisture" reading be for a solid wall?

Grenage

I will add to the above and say that's it's incredibly unlikely to be condensation at this time of year. The house would have to be like a steam room.

Lukeedwards88

Grenage wrote: »

I will add to the above and say that's it's incredibly unlikely to be condensation at this time of year. The house would have to be like a steam room.

This is why I am confused, its been ok weather last few weeks. I wonder if the plaster is just a bit moist after years of condensation, as when we moved in April, it was definitely condensation forming as there was massive patch of water on the surface which went when the door was opened and would only return when there was excessive heat/steam from cooking etc

FreeBear

Lukeedwards88 wrote: »

What would a normal "moisture" reading be for a solid wall?

If you are using one of those electronic gadgets with prongs that you stick in to the wall, there is no "normal" reading - The only thing they should be used for is measuring the moisture content of wood. Plaster will contain a number of substances that will affect any reading you take - If the walls have been painted with a lead based paint, leave the meter in the waste bin.

Whilst it is possible to measure the moisture content of a wall, it requires taking a small sample, grinding it to a powder, and then reacting it with calcium carbide in a sealed container - The moisture content is then calculated based on the amount of acetylene gas produced.

If you have an isolated damp patch forming on a wall this time of the year, then there is either a water leak in the vicinity, or damp is penetrating from the outside from an external fault. You need to call an expert in, not a plasterer or one of these damp & timber salesmen, but someone that can look at the whole property in detail.