Damp spot in fresh plaster - update

diystarter7

Hi OP


when approx was the house build again?

The edges of the bay, who put the sealant there?

Have you sealed/checked the top of the outside frame?

Thnaks

NoisyGiraffe

stuart45 said:

If water is entering the cavity and running down to the lintel, it will need an escape route through weep holes. Cleaning out any debris on it's own may not be enough.

Good point. I'll keep this in mind as I go forward and get the work done. 

Just out of interest, in a 1930s house would weep holes have been put in originally? (Sorry if that's a daft question, I don't know much about construction!) 

NoisyGiraffe

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP


when approx was the house build again?

The edges of the bay, who put the sealant there?

Have you sealed/checked the top of the outside frame?

Thnaks

Hi

Built 1936

The mortar running all the way down the edges of the bay? The previous owner

All the window frames were re-siliconed with new trims when we painted the bays this summer. Is this what you mean? 

Thanks 

diystarter7

NoisyGiraffe said:

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP


when approx was the house build again?

The edges of the bay, who put the sealant there?

Have you sealed/checked the top of the outside frame?

Thnaks

Hi

Built 1936

The mortar running all the way down the edges of the bay? The previous owner

All the window frames were re-siliconed with new trims when we painted the bays this summer. Is this what you mean? 

Thanks 

Hi

Exactly what I mean, thanks.

We have had houses like that but the only difference was that above the front and below the top windows were tiles, so more of problems but yours are not.  From memory our property was twin brick no cacvity.

in the pics the property looks in good health.

My only conclusion is that it is leaking via the sealant, so recheck and as you know water can travel. Test with water but you may not see the damp patche/s for a while.

I'm not sure what "weep holes" are but having just Google it as one of our children have a large/modern detached house and I often what they were but that was built in the 90's. 

We have a couple of houses built in the early and mid 60's and non have t weep holes.

I am pretty sure it is the sealant - the mortar look good but even new seals etc may look good but that mm gap, hairline crack may be the culprit.

If I was you, and it is your choice -  recheck on a warmer day all sealant,  mortar and the stuff in the corners and consider taking out fully and redoing on a day that allows you to seal/mortar for good results.


This is OT but story re water/damp  - about two years ago I was convinced that water was getting in under our front door when we got new wood flooring as in the past it must have mad the carpet slightly damp and not noted as heat on high there.
We have low thresholds to doors and thought that must be I or the rubber seal at the bottom when it raised with heavy wind on to the door.  Then one day I noted a few drops during heavy rain coming from under the glass cassette. I put a bit of black sealant on the outside of the door, and no problems since this was about 18/24 months ago. What I'm saying is water travels.
Hovever yours does appear to be entering from the right side corner of the bay window as you low at it from the outside.

See what the others here have to say before you start tearing out the sealant


Good luck

diystarter7

ps - looking at pics again, is the black wire sealed 100%

I hope you sort it out

stuart45

These diagrams are from older text books showing some of the types of construction used in the 30's.
Cavity trays and weep holes where sometimes used, but not as much as in modern times.

diystarter7

Hi

I'm very certain that the leak is around the top ridge of the bay windows on the outside bit that is rounded.

Is the damp under your coving on that half of the window under the coving - if so, then that is the problem IMO,

See what others have to say.

NoisyGiraffe

diystarter7 said:

ps - looking at pics again, is the black wire sealed 100%

I hope you sort it out

I haven't inspected closely but from the ground you can see an incredible amount of clear silicone so I hope so! Will add to the list of things to check - cheers! 

NoisyGiraffe

stuart45 said:

These diagrams are from older text books showing some of the types of construction used in the 30's.
Cavity trays and weep holes where sometimes used, but not as much as in modern times.

Those are really interesting, thanks! I can't seen anything on mine that looks like it fits the bill. I'll keep it in mind and when I can get people round to look I'll mention to them.

NoisyGiraffe

diystarter7 said:

Hi

I'm very certain that the leak is around the top ridge of the bay windows on the outside bit that is rounded.

Is the damp under your coving on that half of the window under the coving - if so, then that is the problem IMO,

See what others have to say.

The damp we can see is under the coving in the front room, yes. But I do have concerns about the same bay upstairs in the front bedroom. The wallpaper is peeling off there, but it's on the original plaster so if it is damp it isn't as visible as the fresh skim downstairs.