Rant about Damp and TV Shows

[MatthewC]

Here's a blogger after my own heart: https://heritagedamp.co.uk/f/diy-tv-is-trashing-our-housing-stock-and-no-one-gives-a-toss?fbclid=IwAR1-szHLDWu4wS1VlHJbFUhTELUrwYh-VVH0NURObSz5WDySEYH6-3gSuVo

I think I might pretty well have written his/her last paragraph myself on my own blog (http://houseintheenchantedforest.blogspot.com/)! (For example "Don't buy an old house and try to make it into a new one.")

 

[88v8]

Oooh yes, I wrote that.
Didn't actually.
But so right.
'We are insulating old houses incorrectly creating MORE damp issues than it had in the first place by sealing up the doors , the windows the chimney and the roof because were so obsessed with cutting our fuel bills'.

Right on.

Ivor

 

[Bogart]

Some of these type programmes do make me laugh. I love those where they do a refit in 48 hrs whilst the owner is having a hernia op. Walls knocked down, new plaster applied and before the trowel is even laid down out comes the brush slapping emulsion on.
The owners arrive back, swoon over how wonderful everything is. I wonder how long it is before they are looking for a dehumidifier?

 

[plasticpigeon]

It's a lie to sell more crap. I heard today that it has been suggested that electric zero emission vehicles (you know, those vehicles that take no energy or resource to make and use ony renewable electricity in their lithium battreies not mined by kids in the congo or anything) could have green number plates which will allow them to park for free in cities and enter congestion zones. I'm not against them in principle, but only if they actually achieve what they are supposed to achieve.

 

[Bogart]

Same applies to this scrappage scheme. Yes buy a new vehicle to have possibly lower emissions but do not bother to add up the emissions in making the damn thing in the first place.

 

[LadyArowana]

Some of these type programmes do make me laugh. I love those where they do a refit in 48 hrs whilst the owner is having a hernia op. Walls knocked down, new plaster applied and before the trowel is even laid down out comes the brush slapping emulsion on.
The owners arrive back, swoon over how wonderful everything is. I wonder how long it is before they are looking for a dehumidifier?

And there always the staple gun and hot glue in evidence as they do the soft furnishings eeeew, will look awful in about 6months

 

[MatthewC]

Anneka Rice has a lot to answer for, and I'm not talking just about her performance on Strictly! And there was that Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen bloke as well, not mention Carol Smiley. They were all about "let's get it done quickly" with never a thought for longevity or quality.

However, the one I always remember was the Cornish (I think) 150 year old (at least) "character cottage" which someone bought (probably on "Homes under the hammer"). It really looked lovely - two storeys, nice windows, slate roof, nice location. Then they gutted the entire thing so that you could see the underside of the entire roof from inside the front door. Literally, not a joist or floorboard in sight. Then they rebuilt the entire thing with modern stud walls, plasterboard etc, and even replaced the windows with uPVC. Why do they do it? :twisted: :twisted:

 

[plasticpigeon]

My neighbours did that to the house next to mine. It was a decent if not very characterful house. Original doors, floor, walls not much else. They smashed up everything, all the floors doors chimney breasts even the stud walls and then rebuilt it much as it was except in much cheaper materials, and as they used slaves shipped over from India that were bussed in every morning and bussed out in the evening the quality of workmanship was worse than even changing rooms could stoop to. The boss man told me they would plaster a room for £60 labour! I should have told the police, but it didn't occur to me what was going on at the time, I try not to inhabit that world or mindset but it's impossible to avoid these abominable beings, especially in the city. They even for no reason whatsoever knocked down the front wall, pulled out the landscaping and set the front garden to weeds. How considerate of them. Landlords of course.

 

[Feltwell]

Anneka Rice has a lot to answer for,

:?: What did she ever do? Apart from crimes against fashion for all the 1980's jumpsuits on Treasure Hunt that is.

Yes, I remember the "Homes under the Hammer" (literally!) Cornish cottage. Of course the estate agent fawned over the hideous end result :roll:

 

[88v8]

This is one reason there are so few period houses with ''period' interiors.
Nice on the outside, but inside it's plasterboard, engineered floor, recessed lighting, fitted carpet, and painted walls even when clearly they should be papered. Might as well be a Barratt box. We looked for nearly three years to find a house with a decent unspoilt interior.
It rather makes a nonsense of the Listing process.

Ivor

 

[plasticpigeon]

Sorry Ivor, I painted my walls, mainly because my ex hated wallpaper, but also because the stuff I want is at least £80/roll. Accordig to Edwardian books I have, flat painting of walls was not uncommon, although I admit dulux emulsion didn't exist then, it was either oil or distemper. I am however thinking of painting patterns in the frieze and on the ceiling which I hope will make up for it! Now should I paint a dado too with mock panelling and japanese style flora on gilt panels a bit like the green dining room at the V and A?

 

[88v8]

Sorry Ivor, I painted my walls, mainly because my ex hated wallpaper, but also because the stuff I want is at least £80/roll. Accordig to Edwardian books I have, flat painting of walls was not uncommon, although I admit dulux emulsion didn't exist then, it was either oil or distemper. I am however thinking of painting patterns in the frieze and on the ceiling which I hope will make up for it! Now should I paint a dado too with mock panelling and japanese style flora on gilt panels a bit like the green dining room at the V and A?

I was thinking more of grander houses, where paint would have been confined to the servant's quarters.

Oooo, you do have expensive tastes.
But the paper I used in our bathroom in 1992 was £20 a roll, in a big room it tots up.

Yes, if you can paint a frieze to a standard that will satisfy you, go for it.
But you sure are spending a lot of time on a house in an area where you don't really want to stay.

Ivor

 

[plasticpigeon]

But you sure are spending a lot of time on a house in an area where you don't really want to stay.

Ha ha, yes, my house probably was the servants quarters! (Actually the original tenant was a signalman!) I'm not sold on the area but it's fine once i'm inside and I shut the front door! I have to stay really or I would find it difficult to see my son, although that is not a situation that will exist forever.