Damp & Cracks

boxer234

Hello everyone i am a bit stuck with how to proceed and who can help. I own an older property (around 200yrs) when I bought it the survey flagged up seasonal movement due to clay soil. The house has cracks some of which haven’t changed.

The front of the house ground floor has a vent and more cracks (inside not outside) have appeared around this over last summer. The wall now has a few yellowish damp patches. Where do I start ? Damp specialist, structural engineer or my insurance or just a local builder. I don’t want to get ripped off. Thanks for any advice.

stuart45

Can you put some internal and external photos on?

boxer234

Does this help ?

stuart45

There's a route for moisture to get in by the cable. If that's masonry paint it will trap moisture in a solid brick wall. Lime plaster should be used inside.

boxer234

Thanks Im guessing I need an electrician for the wires I can’t see how to get them out myself. I saw someone in the village having their house painted with thermal paint is that any good?

stuart45

II wouldn't use a paint like that on a period property. The walls need to be able to breathe. The problem you have is that the exterior might already have masonry paint on it.

twopenny

The inside cracks look to me like plaster cracks.

I used to live in an old house with cracks like this. The small ones would disappear with a coat of paint every couple of years.

Those which have gaps I'd fill with a little fine plaster, wipe surplus with a damp sponge and a brush over with a damp paint brush. Damp means barely wet. When dry paint over.

They never got worse but did keep coming back.

I can't see the damp. But inside needs a good sanding and tidying up.