original floor

[Anonymous]

I have just uncovered the original floor pamments. They are currently below 3 inches of concrete. They are laid straight on the earth and my intention is to reuse them. The gound level externally is 3 inches above the floor pamments so i dont have a great deal of space to play with. externally is a french drain to reduce the moisture level, but due to non existant foundations i dont want to dig down and undermine then to put in a ground bearing slab. Are there any suggestions as to what to do with the floor, is it advisable just to leave them on the earth base or is there a 'breathable' construction i could place them on?

 

[Anonymous]

Well done on the floor - but how on earth did you manage to uncover without damage?

If the floor is OK and doesn't need re-laying then I'd give it a good clean, leave alone and see how it goes. Keep the room heated and ventilated and it should be fine, as long as you aren't intending to cover much of it with carpet. The french drain should be doing its job in keeping the worst of the moisture away, although better if ground levels could be reduced of course, and re-laying on anything like a plastic membrane could simply drive any moisture which could escape via the floor up into the walls.

If you do have to relay, you may of course come into problems with Building Control insisting on a plastic membrane, and if the building is listed then lifting and relaying could require at the very least a discussion with the Conservation Officer.

If you do re-lay, then sand on top of the earth is a good thing to lay on, the traditional method, or possibly a dry mix of sand and hydrated lime, which we've just re-laid a few flagstones on.

 

[Anonymous]

I was fortunate enough that the stupid builders who tried to renovate the house laid a dpm on top of the floor.

Thanks for the help will give it a try!!