Hello,
I know concrete vs limecrete floors have been discussed a lot but I was struggling to find answers/ideas similar to my situation. We have a 120 year old sandstone cottage and we are currently doing up the sitting room. We've torn it apart so it's back to the stone walls and cobbled floor. One side of the whole building is below external ground level (by about a metre) and tarmac comes right up against this wall externally. We therefore cannot instal any French drains/address the issue externally. It is surprisingly dry given the cladding we removed was original but there is one corner that is a bit damp. There is no DPM/DPC. I think the lack of dampness was probably due to things being allowed to breathe. I've been in touch with lime companies and concrete companies and everyone suggests something different! One lime company suggested using the egg shell membrane on the retaining wall, installing a drain internally below the retaining wall and a limecrete floor - cavity drainage system. A concrete company has suggested tanking the room (or at least the retaining wall).
I have read so much conflicting stuff! I'd probably rather go for a limecrete floor for environmental reasons but am worried that it won't sort out our issues although the cavity drain/limecrete floor does sound like a plan in theory. But then I worry what to do walls in! I also thought that if a limecrete floor is used and can breathe, is there a risk of a wooden floor on top of the limecrete floor getting a little bit damp and wee beasties (i.e. woodworm!) finding a home.
Thanks in advance for any help or insight!
I know concrete vs limecrete floors have been discussed a lot but I was struggling to find answers/ideas similar to my situation. We have a 120 year old sandstone cottage and we are currently doing up the sitting room. We've torn it apart so it's back to the stone walls and cobbled floor. One side of the whole building is below external ground level (by about a metre) and tarmac comes right up against this wall externally. We therefore cannot instal any French drains/address the issue externally. It is surprisingly dry given the cladding we removed was original but there is one corner that is a bit damp. There is no DPM/DPC. I think the lack of dampness was probably due to things being allowed to breathe. I've been in touch with lime companies and concrete companies and everyone suggests something different! One lime company suggested using the egg shell membrane on the retaining wall, installing a drain internally below the retaining wall and a limecrete floor - cavity drainage system. A concrete company has suggested tanking the room (or at least the retaining wall).
I have read so much conflicting stuff! I'd probably rather go for a limecrete floor for environmental reasons but am worried that it won't sort out our issues although the cavity drain/limecrete floor does sound like a plan in theory. But then I worry what to do walls in! I also thought that if a limecrete floor is used and can breathe, is there a risk of a wooden floor on top of the limecrete floor getting a little bit damp and wee beasties (i.e. woodworm!) finding a home.
Thanks in advance for any help or insight!