Plastic edging to floors - and war on cat pee!

[xanthe]

Our cellar is basically split into quarters, on one side are the stairs (one quarter) then a tiled section that is about 7-8 ft high, then a concrete section that is about 6ft high and another tiled section also 6ft high.

The tiled sections have been designed as a bar with the shorter side behind it. Work was done in the 1960's.

I spent yesterday afternoon down there trying to clean and reduce the smell of cat pee. I spread Neutrodol shake 'n vac in large quantities last week and then hoovered it up and used lots of hot water and a scrubbing brush yesterday. Unfortunately the smell is possibly worse not better! Any tips on dealing with it?

Anyhow, the whole of the back part is edged with a couple of inches of thick transparent plastic. Is it possible that this is some kind of damp proofing measure? FWIW, the cellar isn't damp at all.

We'd like to remove the bar and take the whole tiled area (if not all) back to the 8 ft level and so want to remove the concrete (and all the weird bits of wall - replace with green oak crown post or something similar... CO says yes to that part).

If there is a polythene layer, should that make it an easier job? Should you be able to see the poly if it is some kind of DPC? Could it be something else?

Here are some pics of the place... the photographer is amazing, it does not look this good in real life!

 

[xanthe]

http://m.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/34121498

The offending aforementioned water-feature is in the pics.

Also, the gunky looking beams in the cellar are actually chicken wire with papier mache painted black and contain pipes and electrics... allegedly!

 

[angrybird]

Have you tried equal parts white wine vinegar and water? this will help neutralise the urine.You can also try baking soda sprinkled on a dry floor this is great at deodorising and finally if this doesn't work mix 1/2 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with one teaspoon (5 ml) of dish detergent and spread it over the baking soda .Use a scrubbing brush to rub the solution into to the baking soda. Wear rubber gloves if possible, and wait for the telltale foaming action of the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to kick in.Rinse with warm water and dry.

You have a stunning new home by the way and some amazing features plus a bar in a man cave! ...everyman's dream :lol:

Good luck x

 

[xanthe]

I think I need to find a wholesaler of vinegar and baking soda!

Btw, if anyone needs to remove stains from marble, I found that a mix of bicarb of soda mixed with Milton's worked really well. Make it into a paste, spread on thickly and leave. Didn't damage the surface at all and removed the stains - even over-night curry marks.

Thank you, we're thrilled to have bought it. It's going to be a long and expensive project!

The old floorboards in the main bedroom, landing and attic were one of my top features along with the apotropaic marks on the bressumer. The downstairs is actually deal despite what the listing says!

Completely rewired and replumbed was sadly true in 1960ish but definitely not recent... fuse board alone is pre-2000, and boiler is on its last legs!

The plan with the cellar - subject to structural engineers report - is to dig out as much as possible. No idea what is at the bottom, could be just earth, maybe a brick floor. Had a chat with the guy at Mike Wye about lime cree and he suggested not, so ideally we'll just lay bricks with no mortar.

The bar goes - it really is nasty in terms of construction - a and it becomes a "man cave" for my husband and daughter (his idea) - they want a big TV, computer games and Lego down there. I've said yes on the understanding that there is no sub-woofer!

In return, I get a new studio in place of the shed!

 

[livias]

Ooh I was down your way today having a meeting about a job near Dorking. I got the job so can I come and visit you and your fascinating house in June while I am doing it?

 

[Flyfisher]

Here are some pics of the place... the photographer is amazing, it does not look this good in real life!

If it's not as nice in reality as in the photos then the photographer has done a good job because it looks wonderful, though perhaps you won't be having a peaceful lie in on Sunday mornings :wink:

I think you're right to remove the cellar bar though - I'd do the same. A wine cellar would be a different matter altogether. Sadly, while we have a suitable cellar, I seem to have a problem actually building up an actual stock of wine :lol:

Exciting times ahead!

 

[Feltwell]

Wow, what a lovely place - and as you say, excellent photographer!

You do wonder what was going through someone's mind when they built the indoor water feature and that bar. The bar looks like something out of Only Fools and Horses - I can just see Boyce propping it up shouting for Marrrrlllleeeeennnnneeeeeeee to fetch more ice. :wink:

Clearly your sense of taste is considerably better if it's going to be one of the first things for the chop!

 

[xanthe]

I will have to take some photos of the other side of the bar... it's... um... special! :shock:

Livias, please do come round and you're welcome to have a good nose around - even make some holes in walls if you like! :lol:

What's the job btw?

Sunday morning is a definite feature. Bells, and you can actually join in the hymns without getting out of bed. Thursday night is bell ringing practice - fortunately the team are rather good.

My father used to ring in their village and unfortunately there was one member who was beyond awful but used to cry if anyone suggested she didn't. They had to give up ringing competitively and eventually most of the others gave up as it was no fun.

 

[mims&pip]

Hi xanthe,

Ooh, your new place does look lovely - lots of character, the garden is very pretty and I love the location - DS was a chorister a few years back and we got very used to being in and around the cathedral precincts - in fact it took over all our lives, but in a good way

That water feature was certainly an acquired taste, lol :lol: Sounds as though your plans for the cellar are more suitable than the current set-up, although before we sold our big house in Hampshire, DS did something similar to our cellar, kitting it out with bar, optics, TVs, sound system etc in order to entertain his friends......

On the subject of EAs, ours were very good (apart from when the head honcho was head-hunted and decamped to Hamptons, leaving the branch rudderless) and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the company as a whole. Our pics were done by a professional photographer they employed.....www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45996853.html and we were very happy with them.... I can't understand in this day and age how some EAs still put out such rubbish, especially when you consider the fees being paid :roll:

Look forward to seeing updates of your progress.....

Mims x

edited to add - my link didn't work - not sure why.....we are just about to head out (currently away in Brighton for weekend) so will try to investigate later :roll:

 

[LadyArowana]

edited to add - my link didn't work - not sure why.....we are just about to head out (currently away in Brighton for weekend) so will try to investigate later :roll:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45996853.html

Sorted

 

[StripyCat]

I am sadly experienced in the treatment of cat wee smells. I'd recommend something like this http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/dog/dog-grooming/dog-sprays-and-hygiene-products/simple-solution-stain-and-odour-remover-750ml?pageSize=139# basically something with enzymes that will break down the wee.

 

[Zebra]

Wow! Amazing looking place.

Sunday morning is a definite feature. Bells, and you can actually join in the hymns without getting out of bed.

Me too!

 

[Feltwell]

Sunday morning is a definite feature. Bells, and you can actually join in the hymns without getting out of bed.

Me too!

Not quite me too, but close - we get to hear the bell (singular! Known as the "Gruel Bell" for it's sombre tone) and the odd hymn can just be heard if you're in the garden.

I've mentioned here before that a newly-moved in neighbour complained about the church bell ringing at 9am every Sunday as "they didn't know there was a church here." The church is behind some trees admittedly, although the tower can clearly be seen above them, but the main thing that should have given it away to them is that they'd just bought a house in New Church Road........

 

[worms]

Looks good, and some interesting features! Unless I have misinterpreted the pictures, I think that is the first time I have seen a bedroom with a stable door, complete with knocker!

As to the cat pee, I think you will just need to learn to live with it, at least you shouldn't get mice! But if you are going to remove all the flooring and dig it out, I wouldn't waste time on the smell just now, it will (probably) go once the tiles and grouting etc are removed.

 

[mims&pip]

edited to add - my link didn't work - not sure why.....we are just about to head out (currently away in Brighton for weekend) so will try to investigate later :roll:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45996853.html

Sorted

Thank you Your Ladyship

 

[livias]

Thanks Xanthe I will drop you a line when work begins. At the moment it us scheduled for early June but this is the building trade so I won't be surprised if it gets delayed. I shall be putting a parget (freehand modelled ornamental lime plaster panel) on the outside of an 1890s house. It already has several pargets which date back to 1890 and needs another panel which harmonises with the old ones while having distinctively 21stC features. I expect that I will be in Surrey for 1-2 weeks

Anna

 

[xanthe]

Thank you for the other cat pee product! I used all the vinegar and baking powder in the house - mixed with a squirter of washing up liquid and very hot water. It seems to have really helped - won't know for sure till I've done the other half of the room.

The building plans are not for at least a year - we're doing the 'live in it first' thing so we can work out what we need the space to do - and the cellar ceiling is just the - very full of gaps - floorboards of the sitting-room and dining - room.

It's not just a whiff of pee - I grew up with a handful of siamese so I'm well acquainted with such things - but the smell that apparently stopped potential buyers going round. The poor surveyor was gagging most of the 3 hours, and all but one of the neighbours who have popped round to say hello have immediately asked how we're getting on with removing the smell!

I think the cats used to get themselves shut into the cellar and bathroom...

 

[xanthe]

Worms - I can't decide whether I hate that door or not. It's not original to the house, the surveyor reckoned it was just a few worm-eaten bits of old wood that had been nailed together as ye olde worlde door. Not doubt the CO will like it and make me keep it. It's my daughter's room so the stable aspect has gone down well!

Pip&mims - your house is like a picture postcard! I wasn't brave enough to take on thatch. Just out of interest, what colour is the paint on the external joinery?

Livias - that is a seriously cool job. I was watching the pargeting at the Listed Property Show in Feb. Looked amazing. I thought it was a Suffolk 'thing' and not found much elsewhere?

 

[mims&pip]

Pip&mims - your house is like a picture postcard! I wasn't brave enough to take on thatch. Just out of interest, what colour is the paint on the external joinery?

xanthe - Thank you.....that's the house we just sold, our current one is slightly less *finished* :lol:

No more thatches for us - we tolerated living under one for three and a half years, but never again!

It's Green Smoke, an F&B colour but only the doors are actually F&B as our joiners colour matched it for the windows :wink:

Mims x

 

[xanthe]

Thought it might be. I am dithering between that and Lichen for the shed... and also wondering if I shouldn't ditch the greens and go for blue.

I have a bit of a thing for F&B's paint.
.