Rain coming in through a wall/floor, what do we need to do?

[Thurlow]

Idiot first time house owner question!

Today, after hours of torrential rain, we noticed that there was a little (2" x 1" at most) puddle of water on the floor right next to the skirting board, and further along the wall a similar sized patch of wet-ish wall just above the skirting board.

This is an 100 year old terraced house, the wall is the front wall under the bay window. I suspect that it's just the rain leaking in somehow, as that section of wall is nowhere near any pipes, and there's no damp problem in the house. This is a complete guess though!

What do we need to do? A quick Google suggests there are paints you can buy to damp proof the outside of the house, is that likely to do it? And if it doesn't work - proper novice question this - but what kind of tradesman do we call to have a look at brick work and damp?

Any advice from someone who managed to learn how to be a sensible and practical homeowner much appreciated!

[PigletJohn]

In this case, the OP reports puddles of the water on the floor after rain, so I am quite confident that this is not a case where rising damp might be a factor.

I am happy to agree with you that "rising damp is incredibly rare"

[Tiggeryoubastard]

Piglet, I bet you want to bang your head against big wood with some of the bellends you come across in your travels.