What have we found under the concrete floor?

[Ushy M]

We knew there was concrete under the rather tatty carpet on the ground floor and decided to have a bit of a poke about in one corner of the sitting room. Chipping away at the concrete we discovered................. another layer of concrete! This time a dark red composite material (oddly, smelling strongly of soot). Here's a pic showing both layers.

We chipped away at the second layer and found this:

We think this looks like limestone and the right hand edge looks cut or shaped to take a post for the stairs/ladder to the upper floor. The house is a pair of mid-late 17thC reasonable quality cottages, stone and thatch, originally two rooms downstairs and one upstairs. Hugh Lander's books ("English Cottage Interiors" and "The House Restorer's Guide") are a bit vague on the subject but suggest that the floors in such a cottage would have been "grip" (beaten lime and ash) or limestone flags. I'm really excited at the prospect they might be flags (Mr M is rather less enthusiastic, saying his Kango-ing arm is feeling rather tired). No idea what shape they're in of course. Any thoughts about this and what vintage the dark red screed might be would be most welcome. We won't be exploring further in the near future - the repairs and lime plastering on the gable end will be the next job.

 

[JoceAndChris]

How exciting! Not sure about the dark red screed, and the floor could well be lime-ash.

Going looking for flagstones is always tempting, my fingers have been itching to do it here, but you have to wonder why, if there were flagstones in nice condition, they were ever covered up?

 

[Schoolmarm]

It looks like asphalt stuff which is REALLY easy to get up in HUGE chunks!!


Beware sharp edges whilst handling lumps of it, if in fact it is asphalt.

 

[Schoolmarm]

And further to Joce asking why they get covered up.

We removed concrete then asphalt from the lounge and kitchen.


The flags aren't great but I love them. I then put a massive pure wool rug, traditional style/pattern in the lounge. About 12" away from the edges of the room.

After 18 months I am throwing the rug away and putting a PRETEND POLYPROP RUG down
The wool is rotting and going horrid. It can't cope with the damp from the floor. This must have driven people mad.

Same in my kitchen. Large sisal rug replaced with similar but with a latex backing.

 

[Moo]

you have to wonder why, if there were flagstones in nice condition, they were ever covered up?

Probably because 'nice condition' at that time was synonymous with 'absolutely smooth and flat'. And 'modern' of course.

 

[Flyfisher]

I agree with 'marm - it looks like the tar/asphalt stuff I took up in our kitchen, except ours was not covered with concrete, it was covering the underlying concrete.

Very easy to lift (off concrete anyway), it came up in big slabs. Try digging a screwdriver into the edge of it - if it is asphalt, the screwdriver should easily dent/scratch the surface.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Interesting replies.

Poor 'marm, and your rotting rugs.

 

[LadyArowana]

And further to Joce asking why they get covered up.

We removed concrete then asphalt from the lounge and kitchen.


The flags aren't great but I love them. I then put a massive pure wool rug, traditional style/pattern in the lounge. About 12" away from the edges of the room.

After 18 months I am throwing the rug away and putting a PRETEND POLYPROP RUG down
The wool is rotting and going horrid. It can't cope with the damp from the floor. This must have driven people mad.

Same in my kitchen. Large sisal rug replaced with similar but with a latex backing.

The mesh type rubbery rug underlay might stop the carpet getting nasty, could be worth giving what you have a wash in the bath and laying it out in the sun to dry. Wool carpets are very forgiving and it's surprising how things can be revived. If you are going to junk it anyway you havn't lost anything by giving it a go.

 

[Penners]

I agree with others about the bitumen/asphalt stuff. That's what it looks like

Judging from your photo, the stone underneath that could well be Northamptonshire ironstone. It looks the right colour. What you've exposed appears to be just a lump, but could there be paving slabs of this? If so, it'll be very attractive stuff (although somewhat friable).

Schoolmarm - I'm shocked that you've laid a pretend poplyprop rug. :evil: Someone with your knowledge and experience of period properties should use nothing less than real polyprop.

 

[Onetap]

It looks like asphalt stuff which is REALLY easy to get up in HUGE chunks!!


Beware sharp edges whilst handling lumps of it, if in fact it is asphalt.

Yes that red asphalt is dangerous stuff.
I knew a chap called Red Asphalt, he was an utter cyclepath.

 

[Penners]

I knew a chap called Red Asphalt, he was an utter cyclepath.

But he spoke well.

 

[Ushy M]

Thanks to all for your interesting responses. It looks like the second layer might be asphalt - hope it comes up readily when we come to lift it.

I think Moo's right - people covered up flagstones in order to lay a nice, modern, even layer to lay carpet on. There's no sign that it's driving damp up the walls, but I guess it's probably better for the house not to have multiple layers of cement as flooring. Apart from that, there's also the consideration that removing it will give us a vital extra 3 inches (Oooh Matron!) of headroom. And the carpet's got to go anyway.

Penners - not sure if the stone we've uncovered is Northamptonshire ironstone - though it does have that rusty-red look about it. We're almost in Bucks down here and most of the stone hereabouts (including the rest of the house) is a paler, greyer limestone. Will keep you posted after further poking about.

[/quote] Yes that red asphalt is dangerous stuff.
I knew a chap called Red Asphalt, he was an utter cyclepath.[/quote] :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Schoolmarm]

The wool rug is 10' x 12' and there is no way I can lift it when rolled let alone wash it in the bath. :lol:

It is just horrid underneath too. I will have to wear gloves to touch it.