I Have other “damp” walls on my historic brick or stone buiding, what could that be from?
Moisture that is seen in the masonry walls at first and second floor level when it has been determined that no plumbing is leaking within the wall, or improper pointing, flashing or cracks are apparent on the outside, may be due to various causes. 1. “rising damp” from the earth graded toward the building instead of shedding it away, or drainage up against the building that does not let the water be shed away but carries it to the surface of an absorptive wall below grade. This is apparent when plaster crumbles near the baseboard of the first floor or above the baseboard heating unit since the heat pulls the air toward itself. Dig down along that side of the house and after a parge coat (1:1:6), apply a bituminous foundation coat to seal out moisture. Next grade the earth or remove loose fill that causes drainage and re-grade with less percolating soil that allows water to be shed-off. 2.
Moisture that is seen in the masonry walls at first and second floor level when it has been determined that no plumbing is leaking within the wall, or improper pointing, flashing or cracks are apparent on the outside, may be due to various causes. 1. “rising damp” from the earth graded toward the building instead of shedding it away, or drainage up against the building that does not let the water be shed away but carries it to the surface of an absorptive wall below grade. This is apparent when plaster crumbles near the baseboard of the first floor or above the baseboard heating unit since the heat pulls the air toward itself. Dig down along that side of the house and after a parge coat (1:1:6), apply a bituminous foundation coat to seal out moisture. Next grade the earth or remove loose fill that causes drainage and re-grade with less percolating soil that allows water to be shed-off. 2. There are unused flues built directly into the thickness of solid brick or stone walls that need t
