Hello, I’m after some help please.
We have a late 1800s Victorian terrace in Hackney, London, with very damp basement. Occasional puddling of water, mushrooms growing and render (DPC done in the 80s I believe) peeling off walls. We’d like to be able to store things down here without everything getting mouldy as it currently does. The damp also makes the ground floor above feel very cold.
First steps, we’re opening up previously blocked ventilation and removing this stuff off the walls - appears to be some king of paint over a sand-like mixture?
I’d like to know if there is any risk of us causing damage by removing this stuff off the walls? Moisture is obviously trapped as the coating is peeling. I’ve tried to work on a patch (party wall) but not sure what I’m looking at.
1. White outer layer is paint I think
2. Sand mixture underneath - tightly packed but easily knocked or chiselled away
3. Next is a blue/grey substance, almost like a thick paste.
4. Beneath this I was expecting bricks but the wall is very crumbly and I can see small pebbles..
Any advice would be much appreciated.
We have a late 1800s Victorian terrace in Hackney, London, with very damp basement. Occasional puddling of water, mushrooms growing and render (DPC done in the 80s I believe) peeling off walls. We’d like to be able to store things down here without everything getting mouldy as it currently does. The damp also makes the ground floor above feel very cold.
First steps, we’re opening up previously blocked ventilation and removing this stuff off the walls - appears to be some king of paint over a sand-like mixture?
I’d like to know if there is any risk of us causing damage by removing this stuff off the walls? Moisture is obviously trapped as the coating is peeling. I’ve tried to work on a patch (party wall) but not sure what I’m looking at.
1. White outer layer is paint I think
2. Sand mixture underneath - tightly packed but easily knocked or chiselled away
3. Next is a blue/grey substance, almost like a thick paste.
4. Beneath this I was expecting bricks but the wall is very crumbly and I can see small pebbles..
Any advice would be much appreciated.