I need to paint a wall that has a damp patch on it, and I know that it will become damp again. What is the best way to seal this and is there a paint that can go over it so that at least I cant see it!

Thanks Charlie

The best thing is to get an oil based paint, not water based, otherwise the water stain will just bleed through again.

You mentioned it will get damp again, that is an issue. Can you fix that?

Thanks Dave.
It's a strange one but basiclaly in teh winter months snow melts and comes through a crack in the window area, then it makes the wall damp. It looks a lot worse that it is but I don't want to waste my time covering it, if it will simply come back.

I will try the oil based paints, something for a bathroom I guess?

Charlie

Hi Charlie,

as Dave says an oil based paint will act as a block but it will not cure the underlaying problem. There are oil based stainblocking paints for this purpose - I'm not convinced they are appreciably better than just using a standard oil based white undercoat though which you are far more likely to have lying around in your shed or garage.
Regarding getting to the underlying cause of the problem (which may be fairly simple) would need some more info... is it ground floor ? where is it in relation to ground level ( ie is it within 1 metre) ? where is it in relation to the window ( ie to one side or beneath?) - what sort of window is it ( eg timber or plastic - double glazed ?) also have you and blocked gutters or downstaouts near the problem ? Is it on a solid plastered or drylined wall ?

HI Scotty,
Hopefully I can answer a few of your questions and this may solve the problem.

Firstly I should say the place I am talking about is out in France, on the side of a hill so the room where the damp is, is ground floor on that wall, however it is only a cuple of meters from the hill, so in effect it is built into the hill, if that makes sense.

The window is wooden and at the same height of the floor level so the water runs straight through and down into the wall. I think this could be the biggiest problem, and there are some gutters around there but I cant rememeber exactly where at the moment.

Sorry not sure about the type of plastering. Simpy fixing the window would be the best option I'm sure ;-)

Thanks Charlie