Damp patch on internal wall

[Mrs TP]

We have lived in our mid Victorian terraced house for 14yrs. Last month a damp patch started to appear a few inches above the skirting board and on an internal wall - specifically an alcove wall in the lounge - adjoining next door.

We spoke to our next door neighbour and showed him the damp on our side. He said he doesn't use his lounge and has the room locked up but that there are no radiators or other water outlets in the room. Said he would open the room up and have a look on his side but he is somewhat illusive and we have not heard back from him. The patch has got bigger over the last 4 wks spreading outwards more than up and down and is roughly oval about 18 inches long and 6 inches deep. It is above the skirting so does not appear to have risen up through the floor but come through from next door at a higher level.

We had our house insurance out to have a look and they said no obvious cause and nothing insurable and we are a bit stumped as to how to proceed with is. Anyone any ideas?

[Saffron]

Have you tried putting a dehumidifier in the room?

[ladywotlunches]

It could be blocked guttering? - although its an internal wall I'm guessing that it may join the outside at one end? Water can find very complicated routes in if they are the ones with least obstructions. As we found over Xmas, with the amount of rain bucketing down it can get into very strange places (a crack in our outside render saw water dripping in on an 'internal' wall that used to be external!)

Good luck!

[womanofdulwich]

water can condense in a chimney breast- could it be coming from the chimney?

[barndoor]

The 1st thing you need to do is identify what type of damp it is. Did a google search and this was the 1st one with good descriptions that came up --> http://www.dampproofing-london.co.uk/Garratts_Damp_and_Timber_Identifying_Types_of_Damp[1].pdf

[Mrs TP]

Thanks for your feedback.

Barndoor the specific link isn't working but I will certainly have a good look through this website for help.

Yes the alcove does link to an outside wall and also a chimney breast at either side but the damp started in the middle of the alcove and spread outwards to both of these places and did not start in them - it is really odd. We have inspected the outside and the chimney and they are both absolutely fine. Also the room itself is not damp and we do tend to have our heating turned up toasty so the air is quite dry - poor Christmas tree barely has a needle left on it.

I'm convinced it it coming in from next door - possibly condensation in the unused room - but am at a loss as to how we can insist our neighbour addresses the problem.

[Saffron]

Haha, DH just humorously suggested that your neighbour is elusive because he's growing pot in his spare room, and has had a leak in the set up!