DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi All,

I wonder if you can help me please, we had a cracked gully which we believe was the cause of our damp issues. We only noticed this when the kitchen was freshly plastered and then painted with a mist coat (after the plaster was dry) and then a week or so later the paint started to flake off.

I'm awaiting some gully parts to be delivered, but how do i backfill the hole - just use the mud that came out or something else?

What do i do about the poor condition of the wall that was obviously battered by dampness. Do i render it, if so with what? It looks nasty so it will need to be covered, it's currently air drying out.

For the internal kitchen wall, do i need to take off the plaster where the damp was rising? If so, again what do I get the plasterer to put on the wall? Many thanks any questions just ask. Cheers

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Many thanks.

Hi sparkyshark
Suggest you brick in the opening around what looks like a mains water pipe (sleeve the pipe in the wall to allow for 25mm epdm pipe). Repoint the brickwork and back fill using something like 20mm shingle. Leave the inside to dry out and if it's still sound just make good.
Regards S

Hi Stoneyboy,

Thank you for the reply.

It's a little too late as earlier today I took off some of the plaster... :(
A few questions please, a plasterer is going to come by and patch up the area, but he mentioned cement with some silca waterproofing or something. Will this be a good idea?

I've had a look at some youtube videos, and some are suggesting to pre apply a salt preventing solution and then plaster with something called dryzone damp plaster.

Thanks for the backfill tip i'll get some bags.
In terms of the re-pointing you mention, as the wall has been painted with some weather shield paint - can i still apply this or is this not recommended (though the whole back wall is). Also can we apply some kind of render to that area or is that asking for trouble.

I'll do as you suggested re the lead mains pipe. That area was full of wet mud! It's a shame thames water wanted silly money to replace it with plastic! Thanks again.

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I had to leave the area behind the pipes as it's a little too risky, the thing is does this leave a weak spot if damp started to rise again....

Hi sparkyshark
It looks as though you have a slate DPC, if this has failed the classic solution is to inject a DPC and then apply a cement render to about 1m high. This can lead to problems where there are local areas of conventional plastering. Suggest you discuss the options with your plasterer.
You can still make good the painted areas but suggest you do not render the outside until you see how well the repairs have faired.
Regards S