Is this condensation, damp or other?

[ColdfingersWarmfart]

We've not long bought our first house and frankly don't have much of a clue about houses. The ground floor is below ground on one side and ground level on the other side due to the slope of the area. We've started getting bubbling in random patches on the walls, mainly on the side that's below ground. Can anyone say if it's condensation from washing/cooking around there causing it or damp coming from the walls, or maybe the change in temp between in/out? Any suggestions what we do would be very much appreciated. (It's a stone built house about 120 years old if that helps)

Oh and those pictures are from near the washing machine, nowhere near where we cook so it's not grease or dirt, but the steam from cooking could get over there or the damp from wet clothes.

What is the other side of the wall?

In that corner the otherside of the wall on one side is below ground so just earth I'm guessing and on the otherside a small alley down the side of the house (between us and the next house).

I'm guessing damp from the bubbling but if it's cold and earthside on that wall it could be prone to lots of condensation as well. Has it been thoroughly damp proofed? I'd be inclined to put the heating on more and make sure the room is well ventilated with windows opened daily. You could also run a dehumidifier. If that sorts the problem then you'd know it was likely condensation, if not then I'd be thinking damp.

It would be a good idea to attach photos of the outside as i dont understand what you mean about part of the wall being below ground level. That sounds like any damp proof course could have been breached.

You could dig a French drain on the outside to below the inside floor level and fill with large pebbles this will give ventilation to that area. Is it a solid floor.

I'm guessing rising damp. We had similar in an old property as it didn't have a damp proof course. You can get special paint which did help. It's also worth trying to get the earth that's against the wall away from it and check if any bricks need pointing etc.

If the wall is below ground then it could be condensation or penetrating damp. Is it cold when you touch it? What is it made of? Is it brick or stone with plaster? Is the plaster modern gypsum or old lime plaster? Did you paint it? What sort of paint did you use?

Rising damp is incredibly rare, and it would be lower on the wall if it was that. If soil has built up against the wall outside, you need to clear it away. The photo with the electrical socket - looks like condensation.

Looks like penetrating damp to me as we have exactly the same