Wet internal wall after rain.

Janxx

 Hello, 
I really need some thoughts /ideas as to what might be causing  this. The 1st photo of the wet wall which is on the inside of french doors. The previous owners had these doors put in. Before this there was just a normal size window so brickwork has been knocked out. 
The 2nd is the outside and have put tape to show the height of wet plaster starts.🤞 

diystarter7

I'm safely guessing that there is a sealant that has gone off and this may be a bit or a lot higher than where the damp starts.
See what others say but I'd try renewing the seal with good-quality stuff.  The better quality sets more quickly and often allows a bit of movement but often needs to be applied to clean, dry surfaces. 

As a temp soution that may work for weeks, if you want, put new seal over the old from a few inches in from the top corner ie the horizontal bit and right the way down to the bottom

it could be the mortar joint ara in the picture

But see what others say first.

FreeBear

That close to the frame on the return of the opening suggests a cold spot. You could knock back the plaster and insulate the reveal, but you don't really have enough of the frame sticking out to make an effective job of it... Unless you use something like Aerogel, but that stuff is darned expensive.

The brickwork could also do with repointing - That will reduce the amount of water getting into the wall which isn't helping.

grumbler

Well, this lose brick with cracked mortar is an obvious way for rainwater to get inside where plasterboard awaits it on the other side of the door. It has to be separated from brickwork by membrane, but, most likely, wasn't.

Janxx

  I had a look at the seal but am useless at and don't really know what I am looking for. I did think maybe the brickworks needs repointing. I think I will try to find a builder about repointing and ask them to look at the seal. Problem is finding one. I have had nothing but problems since moving in and ashamed to say, let myself be ripped off. I have used the sites Mybuilder and Rated People and most of the people I hired charged me a fortune and the thigs they were supposed to fix ended up not really being fixed. I find this site is so very helpful. Thank you all.  

grumbler

For this small re-pointing job find some handyman. In fact, almost everyone can do it themselves. However it's possible that this won't solve the problem if the membrane is really missing. Bricks are porous and moisture still  can reach the plasterboard.

Also, it looks like a cavity wall (about 30 cm thick?). If so, are there weep holes above the door?

Janxx

I think you are probably right. The previous owners bought this house at auction, ripped the heart out of it and made it look amazing. Wooden floors everywhere, new kitchen and bathrooms and builders they used need sending to prison. Dangerous things that were not picked up on at survey. Too late now though I am here and miserable. Sorry just having a rant. Thank you for your help.   

diystarter7

OP
Try the step by step approach
Easier part repoit and fill in brick crack.
If it works then do a permanent repair and if not, , seal above the door and down the side. I'm pretty confident its the sealant outside but try if you wish as per posts.

Re seal - first do the top and then the side. Ideally do the two togther but first try the pointing as easier to fill in. The new pointing if you do it,, then add a bit of sealer where it joints the door sealant - if it works do it properly

chris_n

I suspect every other course of bricks will have some damage to the joints where they have made the cuts and left such a small piece of brick. Not big problem to repair if that is the source.