Crumbling interior walls

[TheGymRam]

We have recently moved to a house built sometime in the 1850s, so this is what the walls look like in the basement, why? and what do I do about it?




Admin, feel free to move the thread to the right forum, I didn't know where to put it.

 

[ati]

The damage is likely caused by moisture, I assume we're looking at an undrained basement here. The wood in the ceiling in the last two pictures looks not only damp but wet, what are the moisture levels there?

 

[Centano]

Looks like it needs to be re-drained or alternatively review how the rainwater is handled. Slope towards the house, etc. How does the wood feel if you poke it with a knife, as I said, it looks really wet.

 

[TheGymRam]

This is what it looks like outside the house. Feels more like the moisture might be coming from inside, could that be the case?

It might possibly be that there is a stamped earth floor under the current floor, which seems to be some kind of wood board with plastic tile flooring. I'll look into it.

 

[Centano]

This is what it looks like outside the house. It feels more like the moisture might be coming from inside, is that possible?

It might be that there is a tamped earthen floor under the current floor, which seems to be some kind of wooden board followed by plastic floor tiles. I'll check it out.

I think the picture didn't come with your latest post.

 

[TheGymRam]

Here come the pictures

 

[GoC]

It is a result of being painted with the wrong paint. Probably some form of dense plastic paint that the previous owner used in their eagerness to spruce up the walls. The result of this is exactly like in the pictures. I have done the same in my basement, so I am familiar with the phenomenon. Knock off the loose plaster and try to remove all the old paint. Re-plaster and paint with limewash or silicate paint.

 

[TheGymRam]

That's what I thought from the beginning and needed voices from someone who has experienced it. It probably has to do with the basement walls needing to breathe, both inward and outward.