Outside wall concern

mb124

Hi there,
just after some advice really regarding a house we are purchasing. it’s our first home and We are quite far down the line with it now. Hoping for completion in approx 1 month time. I was in the area yesterday and went just to have a quick look because parking round there a bit crazy and for the first time noticed there was a patch on the outside wall above an outside tap. I noticed the tap seemed to be leaking before but never noticed what was above it which is discoloration on the brick work and white powdery patches. 

Have done a bit of research and now have concerns it’s possible rising damp. This backs on to the kitchen so would be behind potentially where oven/cupboard space is.
the house is 18 years old and in a good state generally. The general consensus I got was that it wasn’t worth a homebuyers survey but now I’m wondering if maybe we should have done/should do. The rest of the house seems ok and this isn’t really a dealbreaker but given time is becoming a bit tight I’m just wondering what the best thing to do is and where’s best to turn because I do feel like it needs to be addressed before we commit.
We’ve been in touch with the sellers previously and have got a good relationship so far but this obviously could be a spanner in the works.
So just wondering what the best port of call is. Do we:
contact the sellers and ask what this is and whether they’re aware of it?
ask them to get a damp surveyor In or we do it?
instruct a homebuyers survey? Although I do wonder if this is best as the general state of the house is fine and the issue seems to be isolated to this wall.
speak to solicitors/estate agents to liaise with them about it?

any help much appreciated. 

Thanks

FreeBear

What you have there is efflorescence caused by damp in the wall. The building appears to be fairly modern and there is evidence of a DPC just above the air brick - You do NOT have a case of rising damp.

As you have observed, the outside tap is leaking - Get this fixed properly, and if the white deposits are a concern, give the wall a scrub with a solution of vinegar.

cymruchris

Yes - fix the tap - the water spreading through the brickwork should then evaporate away, and give the wall a decent clean down and all should be fine... 

mb124

Thank you both that’s reassuring! Just to be clear - Do you think that this tap leaking is contributing to the wider discoloration of the wall (the higher shadow like curve)? And should the tap be fixed this should fade away?no issue really regarding the white parts and cleaning but hopefully the sellers should be open to getting this sorted for us.

stuart45

Are there any signs of damp on the inner wall?

jimbog

mb124 said:

Thank you both that’s reassuring! Just to be clear - Do you think that this tap leaking is contributing to the wider discoloration of the wall (the higher shadow like curve)? And should the tap be fixed this should fade away?

Yes and yes

canaldumidi

Tap leak is making the wall damp. Dampness has spread around/above the tap (causing the discoloration).

Fix the tap (20p for a new washer?) and over a month or two in summer the wall will dry out. White stain will remain unless cleaned but will cause no problems once the wall has dried.

Seller might or might not fix the tap but if not it's really not worth making an issue of it. Just change the washer once you've moved in.

Utube will show you how - no need for a plumber, and as a home-owner learning how to do these little jobs is par for the course!

mb124

stuart45 said:

Are there any signs of damp on the inner wall?

That I don’t know. But if the issue is minor then hopefully should be able to get that clarified with the sellers so will check this.

canaldumidi said:

Tap leak is making the wall damp. Dampness has spread around/above the tap (causing the discoloration).

Fix the tap (20p for a new washer?) and over a month or two in summer the wall will dry out. White stain will remain unless cleaned but will cause no problems once the wall has dried.

Seller might or might not fix the tap but if not it's really not worth making an issue of it. Just change the washer once you've moved in.

Utube will show you how - no need for a plumber, and as a home-owner learning how to do these little jobs is par for the course!

Sure. Absolutely fine with this, from when I looked last time it does just seem to be the actual tap leaking rather than the pipe but again will check 

thanks again.

RAS

The washer is inside the tap. If it gets damaged, over-compressed, then it allows water to dribble out of the casing.

Noneforit999

As others have said, its not rising damp its just where the tap is leaking.

We have a similar thing where we had a water butt which had a pipe cut into the guttering drain pipe. The butt broke and I just pulled the pipe off and cable tied it up, the drop from this eventually caused the same white stuff over the wall. Its largely still there now and I will give it a clean if I get chance.