Salts on the wall.

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mark1a

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Before we started decorating the stairs we saw nothing wrong with the walls just that there weren't as smooth as could be. We then were advised to use skim on top to save taking all the paint off to set a smooth as possible with no skills. Once paint was applied we started getting the salt coming through. Went back to plaster and SBR it, reskim, whitewash then paint. Still the salts were coming through and going higher.

From what I have read that some are for salt neutraliser some are not.

It's a cavity wall. We have looked on outside there is wood/gate on the other side. House could do with a paint.

I have noticed that the salts seem to be travelling up a little.

I haven't touched this wall since January.

Would it be worth getting a day specialist out?
Checking the damp levels myself?
Any other things I can try myself?

Any advice?
Cheers

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Paint smart times as rest of the wall currently has a couple.of long bits of wood stored along sideup the stairs. Never like this before we removed paint and painted
 
OP,
My bad, I didn't notice that you had already mentioned a cavity wall.
What the pics show is damp damage.
Moisture might be crossing the cavity if there are blockages or damp CWI bridging the cavity.
Is the outside rendered?
There's also the possibility of moisture coming down from the roof area? Have a look in the loft for signs of leaks.
Have you examined further down or other areas of the wall for similar blistering?

Independent Damp Surveyors only survey they dont represent any company.
D&T companies or contractors quote for any work, Independents dont quote.
 
ree said:
OP,
My bad, I didn't notice that you had already mentioned a cavity wall.
What the pics show is damp damage.
Moisture might be crossing the cavity if there are blockages or damp CWI bridging the cavity.
Is the outside rendered?
There's also the possibility of moisture coming down from the roof area? Have a look in the loft for signs of leaks.
Have you examined further down or other areas of the wall for similar blistering?

Independent Damp Surveyors only survey they dont represent any company.
D&T companies or contractors quote for any work, Independents dont quote.
Click to expand...
The area height from 18in to 8ft high from floor. The area above this so far looks free.

Outside has been rendered.

When looked before whilst raining and not raining no signs.

Moisture might be crossing the cavity if there are blockages or damp CWI bridging the cavity. Could someone explain this for me?

Cheers
 
Moisture might be crossing the cavity if there are blockages or damp CWI bridging the cavity. Could someone explain this for me?

When the house was being built mortar might have dropped down the cavity and built up in the bottom, or landed on wall ties, or old dry mortar may have crumbled and dropped down over the years. Any of those will allow moisture that penetrates the outer skin to soak through to the inner one. Can't tell from the pics but it might even be rising damp if the DPC has been bridged.
 
OP,
Certain kinds of CWI thats become damp will act as a bridge for moisture to cross the cavity.
Blockages are often a case of slovenly brick laying where off-cuts of brick or cut away mortar squeeze are allowed to drop down the cavity, & jam up on cavity ties where it can become a bridge for moisture to cross the cavity.
If the render is only on a gable wall then it may have been installed as an earlier damp prevention effort?
 
In your photos, always include something to show scale. A ruler will do.

Please show photos of the entire wall, top to bottom. Include any plumbing. On the outside, include the roof, gutters and downpipes.

Is there a bathroom above this water damage?
 
mark1a said:
Paint smart times as rest of the wall currently has a couple.of long bits of wood stored along sideup the stairs. Never like this before we removed paint and painted
Click to expand...

What?
 
JohnD said:
In your photos, always include something to show scale. A ruler will do.

Please show photos of the entire wall, top to bottom. Include any plumbing. On the outside, include the roof, gutters and downpipes.

Is there a bathroom above this water damage?
Click to expand...
I'll show photos later. No bathroom above. A bedroom cupboard overhangs the stairs and then it's straight the ceiling.
 
Probably not best image I can get but I'm not currently home
 

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You have penetrating damp of some description. No amount of stain blocker is going to solve your problem.
You need to find out how the moisture is getting it and address the route cause.
''Outside has been rendered'' - It would be worth checking the integrity of the render.
 
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