Water Ingress. Can anyone help. PigletJohn?

[Scoogle]

We bought a Victorian semi in summer, when we moved in, we saw that our bedroom, at the back had a small darker patch on the wall. It wasn't damp to touch and we thought it may be a stain or mark from removals. The configuration of the room meant that a wardrobe was placed in front if it anyway. This is the external wall facing a large windy valley.

When I got in bed last night, I saw that there was a smaller patch sticking out the side of the wardrobe, when we pulled it out, we can see the patch has grown. There is another patch next to the window this morning. It was raining all day yesterday, but whilst this patch feels colder, it's not damp to the touch.

I suspect this is water ingress. The house is 160 years old, with that external wall being very very thick. We do however live in a very exposed area on a valley with rain and wind battering the house.

I have no idea where to start or who to call. I suppose the first step is to send DH up a ladder to look at the guttering. Even if the guttering is blocked or defective then should water still soak through? If the guttering is fine, where can we go from there? I am erring towards calling a builder who can advise on the wall, rather than someone who is simply going to try and sell us damp proof courses or silicone injections and finally, how does water get through a really thick wall anyway?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm really working blind here and not sure where to start.

Go outside when it's raining quite heavily, and observe what's happening with the gutters. Cause a small leak ,say at a joint, may not be at all obvious unless you see it in action.

Look at the outside wall once the rain has stopped. Any patches that remain damp?

When it is a cold morning, are the windows damp with condensation?
What's the wall like that the patches are on? Sunny outside? Or usually in shade? North facing?

How close together are these 2 patches? Picture?

Those are the questions I'd be asking myself.

At first floor, it's either a leak from water pipes, or penetrating damp ,or condensation.

You might want to get the roof looked at. I was renting a house that had roof slates falling off, so very obviously there was a problem, and there was damp in the wall. I suppose the water tracks down the underside and seeps into the grout but I don't actually know, just saw the effect. Is the roof in good condition? Properly lined and ridge tiles in place?

you mention rain.

look at the gutter and downpipe with a pair of binoculars, during and immediately after rain. Look at the roof for missing or broken slates. Go into the loft and looks for signs of leaks.

Meanwhile, start asking around for personal recommendations of an experienced local roofer. Advertising websites are not personal recommendations.

Could also be a pointing issue for the External brick/stone wall behind this (damp) patch as you mention the stain is behind the wardrobe but not the height off the floor/below the ceiling?