I bought my house this autumn and have been very happy with it, it feels good inside and there is no detectable damp since installation of a woodburner, that has improved how it feels inside, especially as previous owners had a calor gas indoor heater+ CH. A cap on the chimney has also kept the chimney nice and dry and wholesome. The only bad thing has been mice, but for now the house is quiet, after a campaign, with help of an eager and dedicated terrier.
The house appears to be old, Tudor-looking in parts, but with restorations and some added, more modern parts, particularly the West wall and a porch. Nobody seems to know the history really.
My query is to do with the exterior walls. They have been rendered and scored to look as though they were made of breeze-blocks but I believe there are not any breeze blocks and not sure what is between the exposed timbers and beams. Part of the interior are very old (age not known) but a big section has been rebuilt, timber frame on a brick plinth and rendered, The floor appears to be covered in softish grey material akin to concrete (asbestos?) and there may be a herringbone brick floor beneath that. There is no sign of damp at the edges or up the walls, so I hope a dpm wasn't put in, as I understand that can cause problems. Where the mice were busy I found exposed wall made of cob. The house is not listed, but is in a conservation area. Would anyone advise removing the render? I do not think it has done any harm as the house feels lovely and everybody remarks of that - serene and cosy. The mouse may have been operating between the walls of the house and the render - that is my main concern.
I believe that the render would have been done around 1960-70
So far no bugs detected in wood.
I would be glad of some opinions from more experienced and knowledgeable members. Thank you, all.
The house appears to be old, Tudor-looking in parts, but with restorations and some added, more modern parts, particularly the West wall and a porch. Nobody seems to know the history really.
My query is to do with the exterior walls. They have been rendered and scored to look as though they were made of breeze-blocks but I believe there are not any breeze blocks and not sure what is between the exposed timbers and beams. Part of the interior are very old (age not known) but a big section has been rebuilt, timber frame on a brick plinth and rendered, The floor appears to be covered in softish grey material akin to concrete (asbestos?) and there may be a herringbone brick floor beneath that. There is no sign of damp at the edges or up the walls, so I hope a dpm wasn't put in, as I understand that can cause problems. Where the mice were busy I found exposed wall made of cob. The house is not listed, but is in a conservation area. Would anyone advise removing the render? I do not think it has done any harm as the house feels lovely and everybody remarks of that - serene and cosy. The mouse may have been operating between the walls of the house and the render - that is my main concern.
I believe that the render would have been done around 1960-70
So far no bugs detected in wood.
I would be glad of some opinions from more experienced and knowledgeable members. Thank you, all.
