Field limestone basement

[Scottw]

Hi,

I have a mid terraced Victorian property built in 1876.

The basement was previously lined with vapour board which I have removed to reveal the field limestone. I want to make sure we can retain breathability in the basement, there is no obvious damp to be seen but I would like to make the walls straight and plumb to turn this area into a working space.

I have considered a floating wall on the exterior walls and studs on the party walls but want to understand what surfaces I can apply in order that I can then plaster and add electrical sockets. I was considering wood wool boards and a lime plaster but am not sure how to fix them in place prior.

I'm probably not asking the right questions but am in desperate need of advice on what I can do so any help and guidance is appreciated.

I've attached an image of the exterior front wall (this is only 3.4m wide and 1.9m high)

 

[skierhughes]

What do you intend to use the room for?
Non of our rooms have a straight or plumb wall and all working spaces.
Ok, we hand built our kitchen, so if you wanted to fit kitchen units a straight and plumb wall would help for ready made units, but even a good craftsman would be able to fit those around normal old walls.

 

[Cubist]

I'm open to being persuaded otherwise but 'breathability' in the context of cellar and basement walls is to my mind an almost entirely pointless goal. The perimeter walls of such structures are, with the exception perhaps of some very small percentage of their physical areas, thoroughly incapable of fulfilling this key function. The primary aim of 'breathability' for a period home is to expel moisture accreted in the fabric of the structure induced by our occupation and use of the interior spaces - this being achieved by the use of materials that ease the passage such moisture to the external surfaces of the building where it can then be wicked away by natural air movement. In such spaces, when unoccupied and use limited to simple storage, then the only sources of damp/moisture are those walls that are buried below ground and of course the floor. Party walls too serve no appreciable 'breathable' function but do represent a damp penetration risk axis.

The only viable strategy to prevent the worst exigencies of damp in basements and cellars, particularly if there is an intent to use the space for something other than storage, is to install an effective form of ventilation and perhaps employ a dehumidifier. If you are considering installing wall coverings and fixed cabinetry you should be careful to ensure that any such are isolated from direct connection/fixing to the external walls in particular and that there is adequate space between these and the walls to allow good airflow to prevent/limit the possibility of harmful mould growth. Any electrical wiring and fittings should be protected with suitable damp-proof conduit and outlets. Damp rising through the floor is another problem insofar that ideally the surface needs to be exposed to the rooms atmosphere to allow moisture to be gathered and removed by the ventilation/dehumidifier systems. Also, the undersides of any fixed or movable furnishings may need separate protection.

 

[Scottw]

What do you intend to use the room for?
Non of our rooms have a straight or plumb wall and all working spaces.
Ok, we hand built our kitchen, so if you wanted to fit kitchen units a straight and plumb wall would help for ready made units, but even a good craftsman would be able to fit those around normal old walls.

It is planned to be an office/work space.

There will be a desk along the right hand party wall and cupboard space to the left.

 

[skierhughes]

In which case, there is no need to make the walls straight and plumb, it's just down to whether you want them like that.

As Cubist has said, the storage needs to be kept away from the walls.

You'll need some pretty good ventilation and dehumidification, particularly if you are going to be having computer and other electronic systems there and possibly paperwork, and good heating, as cold and damp is very uncomfortable when sitting still for prolonged periods.

 

[a twig]

If you say it is dry already then I’d be tempted just to limewash the walls and then run all the electrical services you need in surface mount conduit - you can get some very attractive copper and brass options nowadays that are meant to be on display.

Then sort out heating and ventilation and call it done