1935 semi, cold and mould Damp can be a major issue in the home. Find answers to questions or post your own here.

[NBETTS]

Hi everybody! Need some advice on a single story extension that we want to installa new kitchen in. Its rougly 4m x 4m, its got a dpc but m not sure if its cavity wall. There is black spotting in one corner thats got worse over winter. The room is always cold, however i pulled up the carpet in the offending corner and found no dampp.
There is a large crack coming from the ceiling to halfway down the wall. I checked extrerior and mortar is cracked roughly in same area. Interestingly the bricks look newer in an area the size of a door, could this be why its so cold in there? Has someone filled a door in and not done a good job? Ive tapped the interior walls around the cracks and the sound changes from hollow to solid. does this mean the wall needs replastering?
Im not experienced at DIY so if anyone can help it will be much appreciated

[ALDA]

NOT QUITE CLEAR!!!

ARE YOU SAYING THAT MOULD IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE SUSPECTED FILLED IN DOORWAY?

IF DOORWAY HAS BEEN BRICKED UP WITHOUT CONTINUING THE CAVITY IN THE WALL, THEN DAMPNESS CAN FIND ITS WAY IN TO THE INNER WALL.

IF THE CAVITY WAS INSULATED WHEN THE EXTENSION WAS BUILT BUT THE BRICKED UP DOORWAY WAS NOT, THEN THIS COULD BE WHY THE ROOM IS COLD AND WOULD ALSO MAKE IT MORE LIKELY TO MOULD UP DUE TO CONDENSATION.

IS THE BRICKWORK OUTSIDE BONDED WITH THE ORIGINAL BRICKWORK?

OR IS THERE A CLEARLY VISIBLE VERTICAL MORTAR JOINT/S WHERE DOOR FRAME WOULD HAVE BEEN? IS THIS WHERE CRACK IS?

CLEARLY, YOU NEED TO SORT THIS OUT BEFORE THE KICHEN RE-FURB.

SEEK BUILDERS ADVICE IF YOU ARE NOT CAPABLE OF ASSESSING AND SOLVING THE PROBLEM YOURSELF.

GET BACK TO ME IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER ADVICE.

REGARDS ALDA.