Bedding Flags and Pointing

[Itchinfilth]

After a week of digging up asphalt and concrete we've uncovered around 75% of the original flags layed on earth.

In my minimum intervention approach we intend to lay flags pretty much direct on earth. My theory is that now we've lowered the outside ground level via the infamous 'Zebco' method the ground should dry nicely and incoming moisture won't be too much of an issue.

I am thinking where needed to level the floor to bed the flags on a screed using NHL2 or dotted on the earth as a mortar where needed and the flag laid on top?) and then to point the flags in a mortar of NHL2. Does this sound a sensible approach?

The flags in the next room which are a continuation of this floor are layed on earth and following the Zebco have shown no sign of damp.

 

[Flyfisher]

The flags in the next room which are a continuation of this floor are layed on earth and following the Zebco have shown no sign of damp.

We have a room with pamments laid directly on earth. It showed no signs of damp but when we moved in we used the room to store a number of cardboard moving boxes. It took us a while (well, about six months) to get around to emptying the boxes and we then discovered that the ones stored directly on the pamments were damp and falling apart. We subsequently cleared the floor and it was fine afterwards with no sign of damp. My point is that these sorts of floors may need to be well ventilated so that any moisture percolating through them is not trapped and cannot accumulate. Basically, don't cover them with anything impermeable.

It looks as if you're doing all the right things, the floor is going to look lovely and I think you're right to say that "incoming moisture won't be too much of an issue" as long as the floor is not covered and is allowed to breathe.

 

[Itchinfilth]

The flags in the next room which are a continuation of this floor are layed on earth and following the Zebco have shown no sign of damp.

We have a room with pamments laid directly on earth. It showed no signs of damp but when we moved in we used the room to store a number of cardboard moving boxes. It took us a while (well, about six months) to get around to emptying the boxes and we then discovered that the ones stored directly on the pamments were damp and falling apart. We subsequently cleared the floor and it was fine afterwards with no sign of damp. My point is that these sorts of floors may need to be well ventilated so that any moisture percolating through them is not trapped and cannot accumulate. Basically, don't cover them with anything impermeable.

It looks as if you're doing all the right things, the floor is going to look lovely and I think you're right to say that "incoming moisture won't be too much of an issue" as long as the floor is not covered and is allowed to

Thanks for the response. After taking the asphalt layer up last Thursday it was a hot day and you could see the steam coming up of the flags. Wild how much water there was trapped under there! I'll manage my better halfs interior design expectations that no rugs are to be layed! Wonder if sisal or other natural rugs would work or just go mouldy from breathability?

 

[a twig]

Sisal should be fine but keep an eye on it