Opinion on this stain on this wall? (asking for a neighbour)
Discussion
This wall forms one side of the main supporting walls for my neighbours house, which is built over a double garage.
A strange stain had developed in an arc, with some kind of residue. Anyone have any idea what this might be?
I suspect there might be a leak? We don't currently have access to the other side as it is closed off (it's very close to an adjacent building) but there is also a gutter that runs along that side of the house.
Additionally, he has concerns about the lowest row of bricks - but I think these are a different grade intended for foundations, is this correct?
Thanks in advance.
A strange stain had developed in an arc, with some kind of residue. Anyone have any idea what this might be?
I suspect there might be a leak? We don't currently have access to the other side as it is closed off (it's very close to an adjacent building) but there is also a gutter that runs along that side of the house.
Additionally, he has concerns about the lowest row of bricks - but I think these are a different grade intended for foundations, is this correct?
Thanks in advance.
Since the stain radiates from where you'd expect the DPC line to be, my first suspicion would be that it's a defect or bridge in the DPC at that point
Lower blocks may be trenchblocks with a different appearance, but being below DPC (and hence permanently damp) they'll look different anyway and if they ever get cold enough to freeze the different surface texture may be due to frost action. The particles of aggregate at the base of the wall suggests they are eroding to some degree, whatever.
Lower blocks may be trenchblocks with a different appearance, but being below DPC (and hence permanently damp) they'll look different anyway and if they ever get cold enough to freeze the different surface texture may be due to frost action. The particles of aggregate at the base of the wall suggests they are eroding to some degree, whatever.
The arc shape of the stain suggests that water might be pooling in that area before being absorbed into the wall, which could be consistent with a leak somewhere above that point on the wall. This could potentially be related to the gutter you mentioned; if the gutter is overflowing or leaking, water could be running down the wall, causing the stain and residue.
Regarding the bottom row, bricks used for the foundation or at ground level are often engineered to be more durable and resistant to moisture, as they are more exposed to the elements and to potential dampness from the ground. This is a common practice in construction to help prevent water ingress and damage from soil moisture.
Regarding the bottom row, bricks used for the foundation or at ground level are often engineered to be more durable and resistant to moisture, as they are more exposed to the elements and to potential dampness from the ground. This is a common practice in construction to help prevent water ingress and damage from soil moisture.
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