Welshcountrycottage
Member
- Messages
- 1
- Location
- Machynlleth
Hi! I’m so grateful I’ve just found this group and forum as I tackle some “new” experiences in home renovations.
I’ve just moved from Australia to Mid-Wales and while I’ve undertaken many home Reno’s in Aus, I’ve never tackled a British period home before.
The main thing I’d love advice on (at the moment):
The downstairs water closet (I think it was a wood or coal store) had a significant leak that’s blown all the plaster and caused the concrete floor to deteriorate. This was a long standing problem that the previous owner did nothing about. I’ve had the slate roof repaired, the beam holding up the slates had rotted allowing the flashing and slates to slip/droop and leak. We’ve had serious rain and the room appears to be water tight.
The mortar between the bricks is crumbling and needs removing and replacing before I start with trying to insulate and then cosmetics. The top of one wall has newer bricks and a much greyer mortar which doesn’t seem to have failed (yet).
My question: once I’ve removed the mortar what do I replace it with? The age of the property is pre-Victorian, but unsure how old exactly. My research suggests this is lime mortar because of the white colour? The guy who fixed the roof said just to put cement mortar with a bit of lime in, but I’m unsure of this is correct.
Also, any suggestions on how to insulate? The room is just brick at the moment, and it’s a heat sink!
I’d appreciate any advice, thanks.
I’ve just moved from Australia to Mid-Wales and while I’ve undertaken many home Reno’s in Aus, I’ve never tackled a British period home before.
The main thing I’d love advice on (at the moment):
The downstairs water closet (I think it was a wood or coal store) had a significant leak that’s blown all the plaster and caused the concrete floor to deteriorate. This was a long standing problem that the previous owner did nothing about. I’ve had the slate roof repaired, the beam holding up the slates had rotted allowing the flashing and slates to slip/droop and leak. We’ve had serious rain and the room appears to be water tight.
The mortar between the bricks is crumbling and needs removing and replacing before I start with trying to insulate and then cosmetics. The top of one wall has newer bricks and a much greyer mortar which doesn’t seem to have failed (yet).
My question: once I’ve removed the mortar what do I replace it with? The age of the property is pre-Victorian, but unsure how old exactly. My research suggests this is lime mortar because of the white colour? The guy who fixed the roof said just to put cement mortar with a bit of lime in, but I’m unsure of this is correct.
Also, any suggestions on how to insulate? The room is just brick at the moment, and it’s a heat sink!
I’d appreciate any advice, thanks.