Around the top (normally near the windows) of some the rooms is my hopuse the paint in either blistring or peeling away from the walls, Some one told me it was damp from the gutters so I had them re-sealed. This seams to be an ongoing issue and its always in the same place.

Any ideas??

Steve, May 2009

My thoughts too John slipped tile/slate near eaves is the most likely and running down the internal wall. I had that same problem with a job I did but opened the roof at eaves first as there was a broken tile one row up, and the water mark showed dripping off the wall plate and down into the cavity against the interal wall couldn't believe it when I saw it as never came across that before. Another job the poiting has been worn out through a severe gutter leak and the old lady didn't heed warnings and after few years brought a lump of bay ceiling down. Soon as I re-made the cast iron OGEE gutter leak and repointed down the wall the leak stopped. So loolk for bad pointing as some areas in cavity may have mortar breaching the cavity, it happens with some brickies not being careful to ensure no mortar drops on ties so forming a platform of cement ideal for leaks to creep on to the internal wall

Bob, May 2009

I don't think that birds nesting in the eaves would really cause this, as they do choose places where there is no driving rain....I would check on the condition of the slates, on the two courses that exit into the gutter. Check for slipped slates, any gaps etc where water could get in, and see if there is a deterioration on the under felt which may have an influence on this. Maybe though, the damp has actually been cured and its just the plaster inside that doesn't like taking paint? In which case, you may like to consider 'One coat damp seal', Screwfix Direct number 38631, which covers damp marks, and gives a good primer for new paint. Only works if the water ingression has been stopped though!

John, May 2009

Hi John

Thanks for answering the question,

The house is Brick and it does have cavity walls, we recently have them filled to keep heat in!.
We had the problem before we had them filled thou....

Our gutters are clear and were sealed last year, do you think that birds nesting between the roof and the gutters may be coursing the problem?, do you know if there is a treatment that I can use in the inside walls that I can then paint over??

steve, May 2009

Dampness is indeed your problem...once plaster gets wet it can be very difficult for new paint to adhere. Have a look outside of the building around the affected areas and see if there is dampness visible. I presume that your house doesn't have cavity walls here. If your house is built from stone, and you are sure there aren't any obvious places for the water to enter, consider spraying the exterior with Johnsons water seal or similar, which prevents water absorbtion.
Buy a cheap damp detector, and use it to check where the dampness actually is.

John, May 2009