Nbagelton
Member
- Messages
- 3
- Location
- Hertfordshire
Hi all,
I recently moved into an old farmhouse (c 17th century) which has had more modern connective structures built to join the farmhouse to the farm buildings (dairy, barn etc).
One of the original farmhouse walls which we believe was originally an external wall is damp (around 25% on damp meter - however I know these readings aren't reliable) from floor level to around 120cms. I've let the paint flake off over the last 12 months while we try and assess the issue which is why it looks in such a state. The wall is now internal and runs perpendicular to the front of the house and it also houses an original bread oven (see picture) The walls forms the base of the original chimney stack which has four separates flues. The external chimney stack was in bad condition and we repaired it in January this year and improved it's aeration and previously one of the flues had a lead cap.
When the house was originally rebuilt the previous owner surrounded the original farmhouse stack with a more modern brick stack which is structurally sound and not showing any signs of damp. I have included a picture of the other side of the chimney stack where you can see the modern surround with the old stack at the back behind the woodburner. Similarly the original wall that faces the front of the house (to the right of the television) is dry.
I was hoping that the damp wall would start to dry out by now so I could redecorate however the meter readings are roughly the same (although 5-10% lower in places) and the brick continues to lake. If I did redecorate I would intend to use lime plaster / sol silicate / lime wash to ensure breathability.
Im not an expert however my guess is that either the chimney stack (it's very large) will take longer to dry or alternatively the damp is just from the ground as the wall will be too old to have a DPC.
I would very much appreciate any guidance here or ideas of how best to proceed with it. Thank you in advance.
I recently moved into an old farmhouse (c 17th century) which has had more modern connective structures built to join the farmhouse to the farm buildings (dairy, barn etc).
One of the original farmhouse walls which we believe was originally an external wall is damp (around 25% on damp meter - however I know these readings aren't reliable) from floor level to around 120cms. I've let the paint flake off over the last 12 months while we try and assess the issue which is why it looks in such a state. The wall is now internal and runs perpendicular to the front of the house and it also houses an original bread oven (see picture) The walls forms the base of the original chimney stack which has four separates flues. The external chimney stack was in bad condition and we repaired it in January this year and improved it's aeration and previously one of the flues had a lead cap.
When the house was originally rebuilt the previous owner surrounded the original farmhouse stack with a more modern brick stack which is structurally sound and not showing any signs of damp. I have included a picture of the other side of the chimney stack where you can see the modern surround with the old stack at the back behind the woodburner. Similarly the original wall that faces the front of the house (to the right of the television) is dry.
I was hoping that the damp wall would start to dry out by now so I could redecorate however the meter readings are roughly the same (although 5-10% lower in places) and the brick continues to lake. If I did redecorate I would intend to use lime plaster / sol silicate / lime wash to ensure breathability.
Im not an expert however my guess is that either the chimney stack (it's very large) will take longer to dry or alternatively the damp is just from the ground as the wall will be too old to have a DPC.
I would very much appreciate any guidance here or ideas of how best to proceed with it. Thank you in advance.