Cavity Wall

[spotpush]

I'm carrying out restoration work on a Victorian semi built circa 1890's. I've noticed that the bottom 1.5 meters or so of the external wall (gable end) is filled with rubble and mortar snots. Should I remove some bricks and force out all this rubble out?

 

[Cubist]

Should I remove some bricks and force out all this rubble out?

Entirely pointless, particularly if you've got better things to be doing.

 

[stuart45]

Is it causing damp issues?

 

[spotpush]

OK So, it won't cause damp or any other issues further down the line?

 

[Matt Green]

OK So, it won't cause damp or any other issues further down the line?

It could do. In a worst case scenario it is now essentially a solid wall so ground heights should be lowered accordingly. That's worst case and the rubble may not be bridging the cavity (at all, to any serious degree, who knows?) The work required to remove it is insane if it is not causing a problem.

I would suggest 'monitoring the situation'

 

[spotpush]

Is it causing damp issues?

There is damp across the lower half of the gable wall internally. This is what it looks like on the outside

 

[stuart45]

If you're hacking off the plaster inside and have a damp issue now is the best time to clean out the cavity. 1500mm is a lot more than you normally get in the cavity. There's usually a certain amount from the original build, but over the years the cavity can fill up a bit after work with power tools has loosened up the snots etc.It's
They aren't that hard to clean out normally. It has to be done for CWI.

 

[jamest]

That wall is likely getting very wet due to rainwater splash from the hard surface. You could reduce that considerably, by removing the hard surface out to about 50 cm from the wall and putting gravel down instead (or lowering the ground level to form a trench if its at or above internal floor level, but there are airbricks, so maybe not).

It's also not clear if the wall is exposed below the white rendered part. I can't really tell, but it might not be. If it isn't, it should be.

I guess if you do clean out the cavity, then you can get away with a wet external skin, but it's going to be hard to keep it looking good

 

[spotpush]

If you're hacking off the plaster inside and have a damp issue now is the best time to clean out the cavity. 1500mm is a lot more than you normally get in the cavity. There's usually a certain amount from the original build, but over the years the cavity can fill up a bit after work with power tools has loosened up the snots etc.It's
They aren't that hard to clean out normally. It has to be done for CWI.

I will be doing at some point. That's the height it is at in the back room, not sure about the front room. However I'm working on the external side first.

 

[spotpush]

That wall is likely getting very wet due to rainwater splash from the hard surface. You could reduce that considerably, by removing the hard surface out to about 50 cm from the wall and putting gravel down instead (or lowering the ground level to form a trench if its at or above internal floor level, but there are airbricks, so maybe not).

It's also not clear if the wall is exposed below the white rendered part. I can't really tell, but it might not be. If it isn't, it should be.

I guess if you do clean out the cavity, then you can get away with a wet external skin, but it's going to be hard to keep it looking good

I'm planning on installing ACO Channel's or a French Drain (not sure which one yet). The outside ground level is about 800mm below the internal floor level and the house has a 5.5ft/6ft deep basement.

The wall is exposed at the bottom by about two bricks heigh.

I'm also planning to hack off the render which is cement based and sounds hollow when you tap it suggesting it's blown. The plans after that is to re-point with lime mortar and leave it exposed to dry out properly. also hoping this will cure the dampness on either side of the chimney stack on the internal walls

 

[stuart45]

They normally get cleaned from outside. You remove some brickwork from the quoins and a few along the flank as coring holes, and get some 2x1 roof battens with a couple of nails in the ends to rake it along.