I have recently bought a 150 yr old stone cottage. The walls are made from Yeovil stone and about 3 ft thick. I have damp all the way up one wall. The is not DPC or any injection in the stone. I have removed all the old lime plaster that was falling off. Down stairs from the floor to about 1.5 m somebody has rendered with a cement morter i think to try and combat the problem. I had a preservation company around who said to inject a Damp course. Has anybody else encountered a similar problem or can any body recommend the correct course of action. Thanks.
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Stone Cottage
- Thread starter gholdham
- Start date
Gervase
Member
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- 1,500
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- North London
You need to remove the cement render and check that the ground levels outside are below the inside floor level. Make sure your guttering and drainage is OK, and just let the wall dry without using anythng cement-based on it.
When you come to plaster, use a lime plaster, and if you render the outside, use a lime render. Old buildings need to breathe if they are to function properly, and cement and other modern materials prevent this.
You almost certainly don't need an injected DPC. In 99 per cent of cases they are a complete waste of money - particularly in stone rather than brick.
When you come to plaster, use a lime plaster, and if you render the outside, use a lime render. Old buildings need to breathe if they are to function properly, and cement and other modern materials prevent this.
You almost certainly don't need an injected DPC. In 99 per cent of cases they are a complete waste of money - particularly in stone rather than brick.
Carol
Member
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- 315
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- Now in East Wiltshire
Please don't go down the 'damp proof' route! It is seldom the solution on old places. As Gervase says, remove cement and replace with lime, DIY or find a good builder who will do it. Talk to SSDC (I'm guessing you are in this area, as you mention Yeovil stone!) as they have a very good conservation officer who knows lime like others know onions. They also run courses to help owners deal with old properties. If you are listed you should get a copy of their quarterly mag. for owners in this area.
Thanks very much for all your advice. I have started to lower the outside ground level which is about 6 in higher than inside the house. I have also started to take off the internal cement render. I have noticed the bottom foot internally has sort of black tar all around the base. Does anyone know what this is and should it be left on?. I have also been told to put a breathable tanking membrane on the internal walls. Any comments?.