Issue with damp in a bedroom

Posted 5th Feb 2023

I have an issue with damp in one of our bedrooms, I have included a picture of the issue. You may not be able to tell easily from. The picture, but is goes all the way along the ceiling of the bedroom, with one side clearly being impacted more heavily. The dam also comes down the wall on one side.

This is a 1930's terrraced house, with a dormer loft extension. The bedroom with the issue is not in the loft. It is the bedroom at the front of the house. We originally thought
it was our gutters causing the issue, but we got them changed, but no improvement.

Any suggestions or thoughts on what could be causing the issue?

Does anyone have a recommendation of a specialist who can accurately diagnose and/or fix the issue? I am in Bedfordshire.

16 Comments

sorted by

6th Feb
No pics atm

But probably best to get a drone on the roof and check out the video feed in detail after. Check all the areas of flashing around the dormer, Any valleys and ridges. Look for missing cement, damage to the valleys, poor installed flashing or lifted from wind etc and finally any damaged tiles. (edited)
6th Feb
I often see mould along a ceiling because the joist runs along with a small gap behind.
Joists are not always against wall.
The open area behind has no insulation so ceiling is cold causing moisture in the air to settle.
I often remove some of the insulation where I can and shove along gap.
That fixes it
6th Feb
Trading Standards Approved buywithconfidence.gov.uk/
6th Feb
When was the dormer loft extension first done? Like the other comment best to get some footage of the roof and possibly get another opinion from a roofer and see if the roof is the cause of the damp.
Author
6th Feb
Dormer was done in 2015 or 2016, but the issue with the samp has come more recently or at least got worse recently.
6th Feb
Please first check that there is no water ingress of some sort from the loft but the best advice that will change your life is get yourself a dehumidifier. I got Meaco ABC one, cheapo to run like 5p per hour. Run that bad boy continuously. In your extreme case, I can envision a 95-100% humidity. It will take 4-5 days to get it to optimal 50-60%.

My bedroom started growing a tiny mold in the top corner with water marks right across the entire ceiling and was eradicated within a few days by dehumidifier.
6th Feb
The issue also needs to be sorted too.
6th Feb
Looks like it leaking from the top down. Maybe have a look at the roof as mentioned above. Need a hose pipe up there and run the water down and someone should be able to find the source of the leak.
6th Feb
Check the silicone between the wall and window frame has not cracked and driving rain is pushing it in. If the window opens you can probably see that straight away.
Author
6th Feb
Ok, I will check. Thanks for the suggestion
6th Feb
You were right checking the gutters. Is there a water tank in the roof? They sometimes leak through a crack or at the joints. It looks like you have water ingress and most probably from the roof. Possibly the lead flashing on the dormer has failed or wasn’t done right. Could be same with flashing on a chimney or the flaunching that has weathered away. Could be a missing or cracked slate. Call a roofer and see if they will have a look and quote. Don’t ignore it and don’t just use a dehumidifier.
Author
6th Feb
Ok, will get someone to take a look. No water tank in the roof
6th Feb
One other suggestion is to check your boiler if it is in the roof? A few years back we had a seepage from ours that was not evident till enough had gathered causing it to come thru the ceiling, electrics etc... (edited)
Author
6th Feb
No boiler or tank om the roof.