New drain around the house
As you know I am in the full flow of getting my house sorted for damp. One of the main problems has been the fact that the outside ground is at the same level as the internal floor. This means …
Year: 2014
Lime philosophies leave me in the lurch
Lime is a interesting subject and one that I have covered on a number of occasions in this blog. The reason why it is a controversial topic that it is a really important one where there are lots of vested …
Tracking down lime sources
A limestone quarry What a palaver! Being a bit of a fuss pot over lime I wanted to check the lime credentials of the lime putty that is being ordered for my render. I seem to have been around the …
Windows shrink with age
Having knocked off most of the render around my house (we are leaving those walls that will not benefit from a new lime render) the original reveals for the windows and doors are fully exposed. This then gives one a …
Lime rendering my home
Money where mouth is moment! I have long been an advocate of treating old solid walls correctly. This means allowing them to breathe using a lime based render (where render is needed of course). Anyway my house has been suffering …
Ventilation – Its an IAQ issue!
IAQ = Internal Air Quality Shame that she has her mask upside down, but nevertheless she is asking a question that many of us are just not fully appreciative of. Internal Air Quality is becoming an area of study that …
Concrete floors – hate them!
Typical suggestion for a replacement concrete floor My house is a very typical Victorian Welsh terrace. Solid walls made from a mix of local and imported stone, bricks around the windows, doors and chimney etc. It has also had the …
Eco Pro Emulsion used in Cardiff Eco Home
One of our customers has built a great new eco-home in Cardiff (see above) and used our lovely earthborn EcoPro Emulsion paint throughout. Looks great both from the outside and the in! Have a look at http://earthbornpaints.co.uk/case-study/architects-home-is-a-statement-in-sustainability/ Nic and Carolyn …
Sheep or balloon for your chimney?
Chimneys in older houses can be a real source of draughts. Whilst a good bit of air circulation is required in older homes you can get too much of a good thing! In the past there has been little choice …
Damp proofing cellars
Like dealing with solid walls you have a couple of choices here when dealing with rooms that are below ground. Choice 1 – Work with nature Choice 2 – Try and work against nature I am a Choice 1 type …