Hi, I have a 18th century cottage with a cracking damp problem. The exterior front walk way sits above the internal floor, and the 1970s saw a LOT of cement (and asbestos) added. I have stripped the front brick wall externally and repainted with breathable paint. Unfortunately there is nothing i can do about the ground level externally as its not part of the property, and i intend on stripping the cement plaster from the walls and replacing with lime. I have also recently discovered that the original floor is brick and has been covered with a concrete skim. The brick is currently sopping wet and i am sure pushing water into the walls. BUT its a cold house so i would rather have a carpet in there than exposed brick (as lovely as they are). Should i strip back the cement bearing in mind it will never likely be dry, or can i keep the cement skim and hope that replacing the walls with lime plaster will help keep on top of the worst of the damp?