Coal Cellarbasement Walls

[asimon]

I have an Victorian property in SE London, which has what I believe you would term a Coal Cellar the size of the Hallway, the cellar measures approx. 6 feet wide and 20 feet long, from wall to wall, the height is approx. 5 feat 6 inches, I also have a crawl space which runs under the reception rooms.

The is what I would term a concrete plinth around the perimeter of the cellar, which reduces the floor width to approx 5.5 feet, ad I loose about half a foot from the back of the basement (front of the entrance hall), its height is approx 1 foot 2 inches, the are an initial 3 steps to the cellar then a ledge, then a one more step.


Due to water problems, we had WaterGuard® Basement Waterproofing System about 3 years ago, all the plaster form the walls was removed by myself before hand, but we decided/were advised not to use system on the walls, due to the cost we would incur, for the limited use we had envisage for the basement.

We now wish to make more use of the space; (study and storage); the cellar has been rewired, so that there are quantities of sockets available, which are now seated into the brick walls.

I am asking for advice/suggestions on how to prepare the wall, in one DIY book it suggests the following steps, 1. Skim coat of mortar, 2 coat of bitumen latex 3 Blinded coat of latex, Plaster or Dry lining.

However part of the cellar has 1.5 inch * 1.5 inch wooden battens, on the walls whereby ply board was attached to then. Should I just do this and attach plasterboard.

Please note I have taken pictures, but there does not seem to be a facility to upload them here, if any one would like to see the pictures to get a better idea of what I'm trying to do please let me know.

Thank you all in advance for your advice and suggestions
:?

 

[Nemesis]

Posting pics:

I explained in this thread.

http://periodpropertyshop.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6705&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Any probs do say!

 

[Moo]

Simon posted information about images in the Test Me section on Oct 10th.

 

[Nemesis]

Well, what a silly place to post that!

No-one EVER looks there - well, not me anyhow!

 

[Penners]

Asimon - it might help people to give you good advice if you could tell us a bit more about your "water problems".

How damp is the cellar? Do you have actual standing water on the floor, or is it just generally damp? Are the cellar walls all in contact with the surrounding ground, or are there "areas" outside some or all of the walls?

Try to give as much detail as possible, please.

 

[Nemesis]

I did look at what Simon had posted - no help at all!

 

[asimon]

I trust these pictures will, help you to understand what has been done to the basemen, and what I need to do.

With regards to the water, basically we were advised by the council, that the water table around us is high; the water would come up about a foot high, I would have to use a pump to get rid of the water. This issue has been resolved by the WaterGuard® Basement Waterproofing System; however I now want to make the room more useful as a small study etc, and need to prepare the room for decoration, therefore I need advice on what to do with the walls, also the ceiling.

Also a thing that I did not mention, is should a do something about ventilation.

I hope the pictures, and additional information here, will enable you to give me more advice. :?

 

[Penners]

I presume that this Waterguard thing is a form of tanking. How long ago was it done? Do you see any sign of damp rising up the walls above the tanking?

It's still important to know whether the walls of the cellar are in contact with the soil outside the building.

 

[asimon]

Simon,

1. The waterguard system was installed 3 years ago, see this link for further info, http://www.basementsystems.com/content/47/669/673/default.aspx

2. The walls of the cellar are in contact with the soil outside the building

3. from my limited knwoledge, I cannot see any evidence of damp rising up the walls.

4. The actual hosues itself is a semi detached 4 bedroom house. there is a drive which is not paved just soil, built around 1849 I beleive. similar to the one at this URL, without thr wall, and paving:-

http://www.findaproperty.com/displayprop.aspx?edid=00&salerent=0&pid=226666&agentid=00182

5. The cellar is on the side of the property, which is not detached.

If there are other specifics you need, please let me know

 

[Penners]

If the Waterguard system has been so effective that you cannot detect any dampness in the cellar walls, then I'm not sure what you're worrying about. I certainly wouldn't be covering the walls with all that cement, bitumen and latex. If there is any residual dampness in them, you need to let it permeate out.

So, if the walls are dry, I don't see why you can't just get them lime plastered and limewashed. This will give you a nicely decorated room, and allow any modest dampness in the walls to be "exhaled".

If you suspect that substantial dampness in the walls will continue to be a problem, then you could plant pressure-treated battens on them (with a polythene strip between the wall and each batten) and then dry-line on the battens. Be sure to allow air circulation behind your dry-lining.

And in general, make sure that the cellar is kept warm and well ventilated.

 

[asimon]

Penners, thank you for your patience with me and your quick and informative responses, however I have one final question, with regards to this issue.

I've read some articles advising there are different types of Lime Plaster, what type should use (Hydraulic, non-hydraulic etc.), I not familiar with these terms.

Would I be able to purchase it from my local DIY store (B&Q etc?)

With regards to the application of it, I try to do a number of DIY tasks, but I wouldn’t be comfortable plastering. Should a general builder/plaster be comfortable applying lime plaster?

If I should use a tradesman that used applied lime plaster before, do you or anyone else no of one in the SE25 area of London or Croydon who could take on this task.

If not I may take up you second option, which I would be comfortable doing using treated battens and dry lining.

Thanks again

 

[Penners]

Asimon - I'm not qualified to advise you on the type of lime plaster to use. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I am will respond on this.

I don't think you'll get lime plaster at B & Q or any normal DIY shed. However, here is a source:-

http://www.mikewye.co.uk/

Their website will also give you plenty of information about the use of lime.

You'll have to do a bit of searching around to find a plasterer who is familiar with its use. Do be careful, though. You'll find any number of builders who will profess to be able plaster in lime, but will actually just mix up a cement render and bung in a bit of powdered lime - that's not the same thing!

Of course, if/when you do find a qualified lime plasterer, he will be able to supply the stuff himself, from his own source.

No idea of appropriate plasterers in London, I'm afraid. I'm a country boy! However, if you're stuck, try talking to the planning office of your local authority. They might be able to give you some names.

 

[Gervase]

I'd agree with Penners - if the walls are sound and dry, then there's nothing to stop you plastering straight onto them, and I can't really see any need for the cocktail of chemicals and waterproofing recommended by WaterGuard.
If it genuinely is dry and likely to stay so, then you can use ordinary non-hydraulic lime, mixed 1:3 with sharp sand. The pukka way of doing this is with slaked lime putty, but you can also make lime plaster using bags of normal hydrated lime, providing it's fresh and hasn't been kicking around in the damp air of your local builders' merchant for months.
As Penners says, any lime plasterer worth his salt will be able to source the material for you. As for finding one - there are quite a few in and around London, but I can't think of any off the top of my head. Have you tried the 'seeking specialists' section of this website? Failing that, try the umbrella guild for fine plasterers, the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers, on 020 7796 4333.

 

[essexbearhunter]

A company in Oxfordshire can supply if you have difficulty:
http://www.oldhousestore.co.uk
They do a good range of products by post/carrier.

Another E-Source is http://www.thelimecentre.co.uk in Winchester