annec

It's K-Rend which is apparently breathable. It's been on around 5 years now but the initial problem began before it was applied...except we never realised how bad it would get, or how widespread

Saveasteading, I've only just worked out how to comment on a comment...wish I'd have seen this feature before now! My one big issue is that these problem areas have never been in the slightest damp internally...the walls are dry to the touch but crumblung/bubbling/ furring paint. We have a couple of small, seemingly unrelated damp patches in two rooms downstairs - one at the side of the front bay which is nowhere near the other areas and one at the patio door reveal at the back - maybe related. The house is too high to see into the top gutters without scaffolding or a super tall ladder but all were newly replaced in the last 5 years or so. The first of these problem areas started not too long after the kitchen room was plastered and about a year before the cavity wall insulation and at least two years before K-Rend. We had no idea it would affect other rooms later, as they were plastered, over time. The 'sticking plaster' method others have mentioned is only the result of trial and error over the last few years, maybe 5. We had no idea we'd have an ingoing problem. Interestingly, there have been three other areas on an adjoining wall which initially had the exact same problem but the first couple of sticking plater methods seem to have sorted these areas out now. They were absolutely not related to gutter or roof issues because they adjoin the neighbour. I wish you guys lived locally so you could come and look - everyone we've asked is quite mystified.

Thanks so much to all of you for your interest and suggestions. My husband renovated the whole house but we've struggled to get the right help with this problem, despite asking other tradesmen for their opinions. He's reading all your comments and we'll decide next steps, based on your suggestions. Again, thank you all.

Thanks so much Tony T - this is an avenue we need to explore further. Your points are helpful. Gypsum yes, but all walls were stripped of old lime plaster back to bare brick, although the pointing is the original.

Thanks, Mr Punter, the recap is correct. The house has been completely renovated and every wall stripped back to bare brick. New plaster was applied in every room. I agree about the lack of overhang.

Thanks nod...it seems that most people are suggesting that it's water ingress from the roof. However, the other main problem areas are actually at ground level and in five different areas of a big kitchen/lounge - far apart from each other and spanning two rooms. If it was water from the roof then I'd expect there to be more problems on the first floor but there is just the one bedroom affected in that corner. We also have a second floor and there are no problems at that level. None of these problem areas are wet or damp - totally dry but bubbling/furring on the surface, some deeper than others. I'm really confused because there's no water anywhere and we have recently had roof repairs done on that side. The problem we had was rain leaking in the corner of another bedroom but that's completely sorted out now with no further issues.

saveasteading, markc and Big Jimbo. Thanks for all your replies. The plaster isn't actually wet - that's shiny PVA and staining from using a brush to apply it. It's never been wet inside - only bubbling and furring. I've attached external pics to show the area affected. We can't get to the brickwork. My husband has completely renovated the house and not spared on materials or time. Everything has been done to a high standard, including raking out the cavities downstairs before rebuilding/renovating. The chunks out of the stone sill were already there but do not allow ingress of water anywhere.

Thanks both for your replies. I appreciate your interest and agree we're trying sticking plaster now - after several failed rescue attempts. Steamy Tea - the house was built 1891 and is close to the sea. It's basic red brick, now covered with K-Rend. We have no leaks/cracks on the outside, no downpipe and gutter problems, the roof has been recently repaired where it was affecting a different bedroom, not near this one. The roof was mostly re-roofed when we bought the property 8 years ago. epsilon Greedy - I don't think it's water getting in and there isn't a lack of ventilation that I'm aware of. We have the same problem in four other areas of the large kitchen/lounge area on that external wall, below this bedroom and the next bedroom above (which isn't affected). External photos attached.

Hi - is anyone able to advise us about this awful ongoing problem please? There are a few areas in our house, mainly on external walls, where we have a persistent problem with bubbling and furring paint. It first occurred about 6 years ago, before we had K-Rend and cavity wall insulation (the bead type). We've looked extensively into this and it seems that efflorescence is the problem. Unfortunately, nothing we've tried seems to work - this was my fourth attempt at trying something else but the same problem continues. I've used damp-stain paint, vinegar, PVA and undercoat but every outcome is the same. The walls are ruined with constant sanding, scraping and overpainting and I'm at a loss as to what to do next. I've read that salt neutraliser treatment will prevent salts recurring but only if the underlying cause of the problem has been fixed. I suspect the underlying cause is salt in the brickwork but we have no way of gaining access to it. I've not yet tried Zinsser because I didn't know which Zinsser product to buy and not sure it would make any difference? Would lining the wall with paper make any difference? Would it happen the same on silk paint (we have matt)? Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do next - please? We're getting desperate now. Thanks for reading.