First Project - Victorian cottage

[Rapido]

Hi Sue,

Thanks for the reply. We are due to start the ripping out of the carpets etc soon so we will start to see the shell and original features. I'm not offended by them tbh but for some reason my better half is repulsed by them. I guess we will see when they are exposed properly.

I am hearing some relatively good things about the storage heaters but of course the ones that are in are horrible. I've looked for modern ones but I still think they look like something out of a old persons home, unless I'm missing more modern versions. Is the wood burning stove the cooking type or a stand alone burner?


Replastering

It's likely we will need to do a lot of replastering as the existing is in bad condition (perhaps due to wrong type). My builder has said he has worked with these old buildings when I voiced concerns on the damp - he said they would usually use insulated breathable insulated boards on the dot and dab method to give some space at the back of it?

Thanks

 

[Zebra]

It's likely we will need to do a lot of replastering as the existing is in bad condition (perhaps due to wrong type). My builder has said he has worked with these old buildings when I voiced concerns on the damp - he said they would usually use insulated breathable insulated boards on the dot and dab method to give some space at the back of it?

Hmmm, that's strange. I've never heard of any breathable insulation being installed by dot and dab method. I rather suspect he's talking about rigid-foam-backed plasterboard, which is NOT breathable. If you were using breathable insulation such as sheepswool batts, woodwool boards or woodfibre boards, then I'm not aware that you can attach these by dot and dab method. Please be very cautious of builders who "have worked with a lot of old properties" - that does always not mean that they know what is best for them.
Also, the reason for using dot and dab method with plasterboard is not because it creates a gap at the back. If you required a cavity behind your insulation then it would have to be ventilated properly to the outside. Dot and dab is just a method of fixing, generally used because it's easier.....

 

[Rapido]

Thanks for those comments - I'll have to ask him to clarify what he means to use. I think I've seen some that you can get that are breathable?

 

[Zebra]

Well, "breathable" is one of those catch-all terms. Of course, there are degrees of breathability, from tissue paper to polythene, and everything inbetween. You certainly can get breathable forms of insulation, installed in a wall construction which is carefully thought out from inside to out. Or rigid foam backed plasterboard might be suitable, you may not need to use a breathable insulation. It depends how damp your wall is, and where you want that damp to escape to.

 

[Rapido]

Well, "breathable" is one of those catch-all terms. Of course, there are degrees of breathability, from tissue paper to polythene, and everything inbetween. You certainly can get breathable forms of insulation, installed in a wall construction which is carefully thought out from inside to out. Or rigid foam backed plasterboard might be suitable, you may not need to use a breathable insulation. It depends how damp your wall is, and where you want that damp to escape to.

Thanks Zebra, we're starting the strip back over the next few days so we will see the extent of the damp problems on the plaster etc.


On the ground floor, we are worried about the level of the soil outside. On one side of the property the ground level is about the same level as the internal floor level. It is not on a hill or anything, just the ground level is really high on one side and much lower on the other.

My neighbour excavated all the ground surrounding his cottage (sister to this one). My builder suggested that rather than move the whole ground, the soil next to the buidling can be dug down and drainage/stone put in to take the moisture away from the wall. Sounds like it would work to me, any thoughts on here??

Cheers,

R

 

[Gareth Hughes]

My neighbour excavated all the ground surrounding his cottage (sister to this one). My builder suggested that rather than move the whole ground, the soil next to the buidling can be dug down and drainage/stone put in to take the moisture away from the wall. Sounds like it would work to me, any thoughts on here??

Cheers,

R

That's a French Drain, have a search here for info

 

[Rapido]

Hi Gareth,

Thanks for defining the term for me. I have done a search and it seems like a decent first chance at solving any issue or at least helping to prevent any future problems. Looks like it will need to be filled with larger pebbles to be really effective but hopefully it will prevent the need for major excavations.

Regards,

R