DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi all, I understand i need to get a pro out to sort this, but i've already had one out and had one problem fixed, i will explain.

We live in a victorian upstairs flat, built in 1902, and have been "fixing it up" ready to sell. The bedroom has had no paper on the walls for over two years, it had fitted wardrobes, which would be pulled out.

On the window wall, there has been some white dust fallin onto the floor, we thought it was old plaster as the walls were rough.

I pulled the wardrobes out, and laughed when i saw some amazing wallpaper behind it, then i realised the paper was a bit soggy, ah, not good.

Got the decorators in, told them about the soggy paper, they cracked on.

They plastered the room & fitted a picture rail for us, then came back to paint the room, and said they couldnt do the window wall because the plaster hadnt dried, we have damp.

Got a roofer out & he said the stone guttering had been badly repaired in the past, and reccomended flashing it, which we agreed to & he did the work the next week.

Noticed a difference straight away, the wall above the picture rail was drying & the paint was holding fine. Then it rained. The white paint above the picture rail stayed ok, but the bit below the picture rail started to change colour & the paint is now coming away from the wall.

So, anyone got any ideas where to start?

Here are some pics to show where it is & what its like...

Right hand side of window..

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/mantamark/Flat/31052010159.jpg[/IMG]

Close up..

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/mantamark/Flat/31052010157.jpg[/IMG]

Left hand side of window..

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/mantamark/Flat/31052010157.jpg[/IMG]

close up..

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/mantamark/Flat/31052010156.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks for having a look & i appreciate any advice.

Mark.

Hi guys, been a while, had the roof er back out, he cant see any problems.

I decided to sand back the damp patches, but after a few minutes realised i could literally peel the paint off the wall.

A hour or so later, i have half the wall stripped, can tell where the possible damp has been, as it gets harder to use scraper to remove the paint.

Any ideas what to do? I've left it like that & put the dehumidifier on in a vain attempt to dry it out as the flat is now sold, and we are just sorting the paperwork out for the solicitors, then its survey time!

Would it be worth leaving it a few days then putting a sealant onto the wall, leaving it a while again, then repainting? or should i be paying for a specialist?

Cheers.