What are these marks on brickwork?

[David-mbtml]

Hi all, as above really - I assume these White marks on the brickwork are a water leak but I can't see how based on the overhang of the roof. Anyways how would I go about cleaning them off and would I be able to get rid of it completely?

[BigRickus]

Is water overflowing the gutter there? Or getting behind the soffit from some other means?
You need to find and cure the water issue, then clean the brickwork with a pressure washer and some brick acid.

[guindilias]

Looks like efflorescence - if you get the leak sorted, you can normally just jetwash it off. Worst case (given that the water leak is dealt with) - ladder and a brass wire brush.

[TallPaul]

That whole corner looks damp to me, have you got any problems in that bedroom or the kitchen, maybe behind the units or below the sink?

[megaphone]

Is there a overflow pipe there from a water tank in the loft? Can't see from the pic.

[hal 1]

I can't see a downspout on the corner, could this be overflow from the gutter ?

[Dogwatch]

megaphone said:

Is there a overflow pipe there from a water tank in the loft? Can't see from the pic.

Certainly looks like something of that nature, the builder might have terminated it behind the fascia.
You might not be able to restore the bricks to their original state but just reduce the water mark. The more you try the more damage you do to the brick faces.

[227bhp]

guindilias said:

Looks like efflorescence - if you get the leak sorted, you can normally just jetwash it off.

Take no notice of this would be my advice.

Never ever treat it with water like that, you simply drive it all back in and soak the brick which is what caused it in the first place.

I would recommend waiting until it rains and observing what happens, you won't have to wait long. It's likely faulty gutter or roof verge, could be blocked gutter or downpipe causing overflow, but you wouldn't expect wet bricks as high up as that usually.

Edited by 227bhp on Sunday 12th June 11:30

[David-mbtml]

Awesome thanks all. In the process or buying the house and should be moving in towards the next 3-4 weeks. Obviously hadn't had the chance to observe it yet so will have a better look when I move in and go from there. No signs of damp inside at all, all externally cosmetic so would like to fix it just to look better really

[guindilias]

227bhp said:

Take no notice of this would be my advice.

Never ever treat it with water like that, you simply drive it all back in and soak the brick which is what caused it in the first place.

I would recommend waiting until it rains and observing what happens, you won't have to wait long. It's likely faulty gutter or roof verge, could be blocked gutter or downpipe causing overflow, but you wouldn't expect wet bricks as high up as that usually.

Edited by 227bhp on Sunday 12th June 11:30

I did an entire wall of my house like that, and the efflorescence has never come back - you are blasting it off, not "driving it back in".

[roofer]

Looks like the eave felt has rotted, and water is landing on the soffit and running back to and down the wall.

Quite common, and easy to fix.

[Murph7355]

David-mbtml said:

Awesome thanks all. In the process or buying the house and should be moving in towards the next 3-4 weeks. Obviously hadn't had the chance to observe it yet so will have a better look when I move in and go from there. No signs of damp inside at all, all externally cosmetic so would like to fix it just to look better really

As another poster noted, that whole corner looks damp to me. I wouldn't be buying the house unless I knew exactly what was causing that problem. I'd also be inclined to get the vendor to fix it.

[8-P]

My house has something similar although I have a much more complicated roof line. Mine had a valley that was basically running down the through the soffit fascia area and down the wall. It had been doing so for some years but luckily never made it to the inside of the house - I guess the cavity sorted that bit(no cavity wall insulation luckily).

We didnt spot it and neither did our crappy survey - what a waste of money the homebuyers report was. Anyway, Im now just having the whole house done and paying 5k for the exercise. Great.

I suspect yours maybe doing something similar ie its the tile isnt dripping into the gutter. Odd though, very straighforward roof. A quick trip up a ladder with a full watering can would probably answer your question.

Is it wood or UPV roof line?

[8-P]

Is there something odd to the right of the back door too?

[PAULJ5555]

Incase you didn't know rising damp only goes up 1 meter - its something from the roof/loft.

[pim]

What has been said before mention it to the people who own the house.

Could be overflow from a tank in the loft.Guttering blocked? The only way to find out is have a look.Surely the owner of the house must have noticed damp on the wall?

[8-P]

pim said:

What has been said before mention it to the people who own the house.

Could be overflow from a tank in the loft.Guttering blocked? The only way to find out is have a look.Surely the owner of the house must have noticed damp on the wall?

He probably has, but in my case he didnt give a st and just spent the money on a nice kitchen instead and hoped it would go away / knew he was moving soon so didnt care.

[Murph7355]

He only moves if someone buys his house without checking it properly