MatthewC
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- Central/South England
It seems a very long time ago (actually it’s 8 months) that I announced that we had bought this house, and that we would move in sometime in 2011. Well, it’s great to say that we are now about to move in. This shows the house as it was and how it is now:
It really was damp and neglected:
Of course, the house is not finished – I didn't expect that it would be – but we can now move in and the list of tasks already achieved is quite long. Basically we started at the top of the house and worked downwards. The really good thing is that the house has responded to the treatment. Having started damp and freezing, about three months ago it started to feel warmer and drier. Even the insects and birds are giving up and going elsewhere!
In detail we (that is, me and a multitude of contractors) relaid the slate roof together with new soffits, fascia and lead, repaired the chimney stacks, added new guttering and downpipes, removed all the ivy, replastered extensively throughout, repaired floorboards and joists, completely renewed all the electrics and plumbing, fitted two new sash windows and a new front door, laid a limecrete kitchen floor with limestone flags, installed a driveway for the first time and ended by fitting a brand new kitchen. There is still lots to do as we have a brick “service wing” to do in the autumn… I am quite proud of getting rid of the old galvanised door and windows for the kitchen:
There are more photos and lots of details on my blog (see below).
I especially want to thank people on this forum for their advice. I know that at times I have asked some pretty basic questions and I am most grateful that I have always received sound, patient and practical advice based on other people's practical experience of years. As a result, I have learned a lot from the entire experience. I know that there are some things in the above list which I would never have dared to do on my own or (at least) without an expensive contractor, had it not been for the advice and encouragement I have received here. I’d also like to think that this restoration project has demonstrated that the standard advice on how to tackle dampness really does work - address the causes of dampness, not the symptoms.
Anyone passing east of Oxford should PM me for a visit! All welcome.
Thanks again
Matthew
http://houseintheenchantedforest.blogspot.com/
It really was damp and neglected:
Of course, the house is not finished – I didn't expect that it would be – but we can now move in and the list of tasks already achieved is quite long. Basically we started at the top of the house and worked downwards. The really good thing is that the house has responded to the treatment. Having started damp and freezing, about three months ago it started to feel warmer and drier. Even the insects and birds are giving up and going elsewhere!
In detail we (that is, me and a multitude of contractors) relaid the slate roof together with new soffits, fascia and lead, repaired the chimney stacks, added new guttering and downpipes, removed all the ivy, replastered extensively throughout, repaired floorboards and joists, completely renewed all the electrics and plumbing, fitted two new sash windows and a new front door, laid a limecrete kitchen floor with limestone flags, installed a driveway for the first time and ended by fitting a brand new kitchen. There is still lots to do as we have a brick “service wing” to do in the autumn… I am quite proud of getting rid of the old galvanised door and windows for the kitchen:
There are more photos and lots of details on my blog (see below).
I especially want to thank people on this forum for their advice. I know that at times I have asked some pretty basic questions and I am most grateful that I have always received sound, patient and practical advice based on other people's practical experience of years. As a result, I have learned a lot from the entire experience. I know that there are some things in the above list which I would never have dared to do on my own or (at least) without an expensive contractor, had it not been for the advice and encouragement I have received here. I’d also like to think that this restoration project has demonstrated that the standard advice on how to tackle dampness really does work - address the causes of dampness, not the symptoms.
Anyone passing east of Oxford should PM me for a visit! All welcome.
Thanks again
Matthew
http://houseintheenchantedforest.blogspot.com/
