If your wall only becomes damp during wind-driven rain, you’re likely dealing with penetrating damp — a problem we see constantly in exposed parts of Oldham and Greater Manchester. This type of damp doesn’t appear during dry weather or light rain; it shows up only when strong winds force moisture through weaknesses in the external wall.
At Weather Wise Solutions — your family-run damp company — we help homeowners identify exactly why this happens and what needs to be repaired to stop it long term.
🌬️ What Causes Damp Patches Only During Wind-Driven Rain?
1️⃣ Porous or Weathered Brickwork
Older brickwork naturally becomes more absorbent. When rain is blown hard against the wall, the brickwork can take on moisture faster than it can release it — resulting in damp patches internally.
2️⃣ Failed or Missing Pointing
Deteriorated mortar joints give wind-driven rain a direct route into the wall. Even small gaps can allow enough water penetration to show as staining or damp internally.
3️⃣ Cracked or Hollow Render
Hairline cracks, hollow areas or blown render allow rainwater to sit behind the surface. Wind pressure then drives that water deeper into the masonry.
4️⃣ Cavity Wall Bridging
Debris, old mortar snots, or corroded wall ties can bridge the cavity, allowing water to transfer from the outer wall directly to the internal wall. During storms, this becomes significantly worse.
5️⃣ Faulty Gutters or Roofline Defects
Wind-driven rain can push water behind gutters, under roof tiles or through poorly sealed junctions, tracking down into the wall.
🔍 How We Diagnose Penetrating Damp in Oldham
Our inspections follow PCA methodology and industry best practice:
-
Full external inspection (brickwork, mortar, render, roofline, gutters)
-
Internal moisture mapping
-
Salt profile assessment — penetrating damp typically shows no hygroscopic salts
-
Cavity investigation where necessary
-
Ventilation and condensation checks to rule out mixed problems
We aim to identify the root cause, not just treat symptoms.
🛠️ How We Fix Wind-Driven Rain Penetration
Depending on the findings, common repairs include:
-
Repointing using suitable breathable mortar
-
Patch repairs or full replacement of defective render
-
Clearing cavity wall bridges
-
Applying breathable water repellents from trusted suppliers such as:
-
🧰 PAM Ties – https://www.pamties.co.uk/
-
🧱 Builders Super Store – https://builderssuperstore.co.uk
-
🛠️ Wykamol Group – https://wykamol.com/
-
As CPD-qualified specialists and proud members of:
🔗 Federation of Damp – https://federationofdamp.co.uk/
🔗 Damp Proofing Association – https://www.dampproofingassociation.co.uk/
you can rely on us to follow the correct standards and ensure the problem is fixed properly.
If your wall gets damp only during heavy rain, the cause is almost always external — and completely fixable.
📍 Book a free survey:
https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact