Slightly damp patch plug around socket problem

Slightly off topic but Ive got diy to get on with.
In the backroom there is a plug socket just above the skirting board. There is a slightly damp patch that has come through the plaster around the plug socket - almost like a halo around it.

Is it condensation in the room ? is it just that the plaster is slightly damp therefor is trying to escape from the wall - as the paint is a bit flaky ?. There was a problem with incoming water - but that was fixed a while ago.

Can I just hack off the plaster - re plaster over the existing render ? - any advice please

Sound like the problem is back. Isolate that socket, remove it and take a look. How old is the property, what is the wall build, and is there dpc?

Dont forget to tape the wires if youre leaving them exposed and cant isolate.. saves a belt ha ha..

Sound like the problem is back. Isolate that socket, remove it and take a look. How old is the property, what is the wall build, and is there dpc?

Dont forget to tape the wires if youre leaving them exposed and cant isolate.. saves a belt ha ha..

Could be residual damp from previous problem is it dry or wet? Dry would indicate previous problem and just needs redoing ..wet needs investigation again.. Best take socket completely out and inspect brickwork/plaster in recess ... bit strange only halo around socket. Yes make sure isolate once socket out..

Thanks both - will isolate socket and remove - obviously if sopping wet - then I guess I have water incoming from somewhere. We did have a problem on the wall previously. Which (I think) I fixed. So not sure if it's the salts in render coming through with the water and remaining on the surface - which then attracts moisture.

It's an old victorian house - and on the other side of the wall is an outhouse / on coal storage lean to - but that is bone dry.

If I remove the socket and it's dry / damp - then I guess it's just the remaining moisture trying to escape. Do I need to hack off the the area just back to the render - or hack off back to the brick. I want to try and avoid having to re render if I can as it's such a small area. Been reading up and it seems gypsum plaster will never be the same after it's had water go through it. So was going to re coat it in a breathable filler instead.

Thoughts please , I'm a keen diy'er - but that doesnt make me any good at it

Could be rising damp.. do the work, and replace with stainless back box if not already. Sometimes you can hack off and paint brick with water seal, or inject the mortar beds with kiesol C, or similar product. I got an old gaff, I leave the windows open, and live with a bit of damp.

It can take a fair while for salt residue to show after an area as been damp i had it here but used tester and was dry... good tip if it is dry try get hold of tester pot for masonry paint and apply couple coats after scraping off residue then paint as normal...I used this in previous mold areas and worked a treat no more mold

May sound a strange question but does the back box behind the socket have to be metal - or can it be plastic ?.

Im going to take the socket out tomorrow and have a look. A mate of mine has suggested either taking off the skirting board and check the render behind and see if it's wet or just a bit damp. They also said to pull up carpet and underneath the floor boards and take a look. Under the floorboards is a 18inch drop onto clay / random rubble. It's a very old house so no DPC other than the blue brick or maybe some slate he reckons.

I know Im going to probably look under the boards - but I also know it's going to be a night getting them up. Will check the socket first

May sound a strange question but does the back box behind the socket have to be metal - or can it be plastic ?.

Im going to take the socket out tomorrow and have a look. A mate of mine has suggested either taking off the skirting board and check the render behind and see if it's wet or just a bit damp. They also said to pull up carpet and underneath the floor boards and take a look. Under the floorboards is a 18inch drop onto clay / random rubble. It's a very old house so no DPC other than the blue brick or maybe some slate he reckons.

I know Im going to probably look under the boards - but I also know it's going to be a night getting them up. Will check the socket first

Generally plastic but metal is used.. I wouldn't start looking to far if area only small I had house 160yrs old the gap under floorboards shouldn't effect wall ....a can worms springs to mind taking them up... presume socket is very close to floor if no sign of damp like rust inside socket justify minimum maintenance and keep eye on it

"Generally plastic but metal is used.. I wouldn't start looking to far if area only small I had house 160yrs old the gap under floorboards shouldn't effect wall ....a can worms springs to mind taking them up... presume socket is very close to floor if no sign of damp like rust inside socket justify minimum maintenance and keep eye on it"

Yep socket just above the skirting board about 10inch from the floor. Think I'll start with socket and see what I find, youre right floorboards coming up is a nightmare waiting to happen. Has is about 100 years old. Mixture of brick, random rubble and stone. Not sure what's holding the house up to be honest

"Generally plastic but metal is used.. I wouldn't start looking to far if area only small I had house 160yrs old the gap under floorboards shouldn't effect wall ....a can worms springs to mind taking them up... presume socket is very close to floor if no sign of damp like rust inside socket justify minimum maintenance and keep eye on it"

Yep socket just above the skirting board about 10inch from the floor. Think I'll start with socket and see what I find, youre right floorboards coming up is a nightmare waiting to happen. Has is about 100 years old. Mixture of brick, random rubble and stone. Not sure what's holding the house up to be honest

Suspect if you lift boards find its fairly damp/cold in places that's natural for such houses.... personally I would check in space where box is if no damp or rust with wire connectors on switch I would leave well alone and just do remedial work on plaster.. like said scrape any residue off and see if get a testing pot of masonry paint and apply couple coats or simply ask some at a paint store or DIY place for something to combat it..

So you wouldnt hack off the plaster and re skim you'd stick masonary paint on it - I did think of that ronseal damp paint - but then somebody said the damp needs to come out of the wall and putting that stuff on it would seal the damp pin the plaster

So you wouldnt hack off the plaster and re skim you'd stick masonary paint on it - I did think of that ronseal damp paint - but then somebody said the damp needs to come out of the wall and putting that stuff on it would seal the damp pin the plaster

Is it damp .or residual salt from previous leak easy to see... if small are like you say doubt it's new damp unless hot a specific leak ... but take out socket completely before make a judgement

Lime mortar is breathable. If it’s blown, you may consider replacing with new mortar and the paint. May just be an isolated spot of rising damp, usually up from the footings, which is on clay or clinker. Some houses of that period had a slate dpc, but breaks down over the decades.

Lime mortar is breathable. If it’s blown, you may consider replacing with new mortar and the paint. May just be an isolated spot of rising damp, usually up from the footings, which is on clay or clinker. Some houses of that period had a slate dpc, but breaks down over the decades.

Get Impression only small area effected and given age of property not worth digging to deep otherwise open a can of big worms I know my house was 160yrs old ended up replacing all sorts of bits sorting out small
patch of woodworm

Removed the front socket box - not damp - a little bit of rust . Also drilled some small pilot holes either side of the socket and what came out was all dry 'dust'.

So all I can think is that there is damp in the plaster skim around the socket (perhaps)

What should I do - gently hack off the plaster and use a breathable non gypsum plaster ? or should I hack off back to the brick ?

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You need to establish the source really..

If it’s rising, I’d rip off the skirt, inject(will reduce damp) and replace the box with stainless..if you’re happy it’s dry, leave it and paint.

You need to establish the source really..

If it’s rising, I’d rip off the skirt, inject(will reduce damp) and replace the box with stainless..if you’re happy it’s dry, leave it and paint.

Thats what I said if dry leave it and paint... judging by where socket is and the gap under floorboards be surprised if rising damp unless it is wide spread on wall.... if remember had issue previously but sorted it? Old houses notorious for little problems like this so best advice leave alone unless absolutely need to lift boards ect quick fix and observe wont do any harm