sue gazzard
Member
- Messages
- 41
Hi guys,
Cement screed now removed from all internal brick plinths, most of the old bodge boarding gone, external cement render being removed as I write (hurray!), most beams now uncovered, fab huge inglenook exposed, and the building already starting to "feel" better. Still have to find a good way to remove bitumastic covering from external plinth but with warmer weather hoping to get a good result from trial of a 2-pack product from Strippers... any comments anyone?
Now a really big question: all the ground floor rooms of my building have a 1970's thick cement screed over plastic sheet DPM. In conjunction with all the other ill-advised cement additions, it has undoubtedly contributed to the occasional patch of rot in the sole plate, though with everything else out of the equation and a "breathing gap" left around the edge of the screed I was intending to leave it in place.
However,I believe that underneath the screed are the original brick floors laid on sand over earth.
If I take the fairly dramatic step of breaking up the screed to expose the bricks, what is life going to be like??
1) what do I use to fill gaps/stabilise the floor? (If sand, what do I use to stop it paddling everywhere?)
2)Can I seal it in some way without defeating the object of getting cement out completely and having as breathable a building as possible whilst still being comfortable?
3)Is the building likely to be very cold?
All positive advice from them wot knows much appreciated (btw did look and couldn't seem to find a string which anawers these questions. If there is one and I just missed it, apologies and can someone point me in the right direction please?)
Rgds Sue
Cement screed now removed from all internal brick plinths, most of the old bodge boarding gone, external cement render being removed as I write (hurray!), most beams now uncovered, fab huge inglenook exposed, and the building already starting to "feel" better. Still have to find a good way to remove bitumastic covering from external plinth but with warmer weather hoping to get a good result from trial of a 2-pack product from Strippers... any comments anyone?
Now a really big question: all the ground floor rooms of my building have a 1970's thick cement screed over plastic sheet DPM. In conjunction with all the other ill-advised cement additions, it has undoubtedly contributed to the occasional patch of rot in the sole plate, though with everything else out of the equation and a "breathing gap" left around the edge of the screed I was intending to leave it in place.
However,I believe that underneath the screed are the original brick floors laid on sand over earth.
If I take the fairly dramatic step of breaking up the screed to expose the bricks, what is life going to be like??
1) what do I use to fill gaps/stabilise the floor? (If sand, what do I use to stop it paddling everywhere?)
2)Can I seal it in some way without defeating the object of getting cement out completely and having as breathable a building as possible whilst still being comfortable?
3)Is the building likely to be very cold?
All positive advice from them wot knows much appreciated (btw did look and couldn't seem to find a string which anawers these questions. If there is one and I just missed it, apologies and can someone point me in the right direction please?)
Rgds Sue