Wall & Ceiling problems - help please!

wingforward

Anybody any ideas what is happening to my walls & ceilings?

The walls have insulated slabs stuck to redbrick (old house), refurbished approx 3 years ago. The ceilings are a standard slab with rockwool in between joists.

These "lines" that can be seen in the photo (ref-IMG_1918), are the joint-lines of the slabs.
But why are the lines appearing?
The "lines" only appear on the external walls.
And is there a remedy?

The ceiling pics are of the landing (ref-IMG_1921) and the main bedroom (ref-IMG_1922)
There is a "blackness" appearing on the ceiling.
Would this be caused by steam from shower - that is my thinking on the landing, however i think the bedroom is another problem as shower is not in vicinity...

Again, any ideas & fixes?

BryanF

Is there a wall cavity? What depth of insulation Are the walls drylined with? Is this condensation on the inner face of external block walls coming through the drylining? What fixed ventilation is in the rooms in question?

starskey77

thats the heat of the timber joices coming throw the plaster, plaster put on to thin

genuine leather

Hi wingforward.
Could be one of a few things.
Imo the pics of the external walls showing what seems like damp coming thru,it could be moisture from the old wall behind( prevailing wind blowing rain at that area from outside?) and only now after 3 yrs has filtered its way in. Was there a damp proof membrane fitted on the wall before the insulated boards?
Above the ceiling, is there attic space where mabye there is roof, valleys,parapet walls above, that may have a dislodged or broken slate?
A few questions but just trying to narrow it down.
GL

MicktheMan

It looks like you have the start of mould growth due to high internal moisture (humidity) levels. It is forming on the coldest areas of the structure where condensation is regularly occurring.
How is the house ventilated?
Is it heated adequately?
Has any other (recent) changes been made to the house (such as new windows or stove installed)?
Is the salt in the salt sellar damp?

wingforward

thank you all for your replies...

some more info -

The insulated boards are stuck to the external walls with bonding/similar. The boards have 30-odd mm of insulation. The external walls are red-brick, its a very old house, so no cavity. There was no damp proof membrane fitted.

The house is not very well ventilated, trickle vents in the windows is about the height of it, we dont open windows either. The house is "naturally draughty".

A stove was put in just over a year ago, the photo of the wall is actually the room in which the stove is situated, however the problem seems to be in every room on the external walls.

I believe the house is heated adequately yes. The heat is on most days, we like our heat!

Salt in salt sellar is not damp, however the kitchen is an extension, and same problem doesnt occur here.

There is an attic space above the ceilings, so it could be a dislodged tile, but I did have a guy check it out & he was of the opinion that they were fine.
There were also 2 vents on the outside wall that came into the space between ground floor ceiling and first floor, between the joists...I filled these over with expanding foam...just FYI incase this could be an issue...

It is possibly condensation/damp coming through the cracks...I dont know...

appreciate further info on the problem, and also if there are any fixes?

genuine leather

If its showing on all the walls of original, that would rule out anything coming from roof areas alright.
What is the outside finish on the older part of the house...render, stone, brick and the age of the house?

wingforward

yeah - it probably rules the roof out in relation to the walls, but roof could still be at fault for ceiling...

The outside finish is old red-brick...

MicktheMan

wingforward wrote: »

The house is not very well ventilated, trickle vents in the windows is about the height of it, we dont open windows either. The house is "naturally draughty".

A stove was put in just over a year ago, the photo of the wall is actually the room in which the stove is situated, however the problem seems to be in every room on the external walls.

This may suggest a ventilation issue.

wingforward wrote: »

There were also 2 vents on the outside wall that came into the space between ground floor ceiling and first floor, between the joists...I filled these over with expanding foam...just FYI incase this could be an issue...

Why did you do this?
Any purpose built vents (especially those venting an old structure) should not be interfered with unless due regard is given to their purpose and alternatives are put in place.

wingforward

I blocked the vents up as I felt there was a "draught" throught the floor in the upstairs main bedroom..this did solve this issue
I do understand what you are saying though - I might investigate if I can now "clear" those vents...easier said than done i'd imagine...

In relation to the stove, it is in the front room of the house, but the problem with "lines" on walls is on every external wall

MicktheMan

wingforward wrote: »

In relation to the stove, it is in the front room of the house, but the problem with "lines" on walls is on every external wall

the location of the stove has little to do with the problem.
Prior to the stove being installed, I'm guessing there was an open fire. The 24/7 "natural" ventilation through this open fire was sufficient to ventilate the house. Now that the stove is installed, this "natural" ventilation is now significantly curtailed which may have pushed your house over (what I call) the mould cliff as the internally generated moisture is not being adequately vented to the outside and will readily condense on colder surfaces, allowing mould to germinate and thrive.
The added heat in the house (because the stove is more efficient than the open fire) will also allow the air to support more moisture, so more moisture is available to condense. Thus adding to the problem.

wingforward

Prior to the stove being installed the room was a blank canvas, with the original fireplace opening "slabbed" over. I only reopened this space prior to installing the stove, about 1 year ago.
The slab didnt go the whole way to the ground, so there was still a natural path for the air to circulate.

However in the adjoining room I have an open fire, which hasnt been lit since i got the stove, so air should in theory be circulating here, however the same "lines" problem is occuring in this room...

genuine leather

Agree with mick on the ventilation issues he points out, especially with older buildings.
ceiling problems possibly due in part to lack of vented attic/joist space.
A hand held padsaw( local hardware should stock) will help clear the foam from vents.

beaver111

would the painting have any thing to do with the problem

wingforward

Not too sure about the paint causing it - why do you think this may be the case?