Hello,
First post - but been lurking awhile....
We recently bought a 'project' which is a timber framed/brick infill farmhouse (as was). There is a long list of items to be addressed. Currently debating what to do with the flooring in the long living-cum-dining room. In the hallway there are tiles that have been varnished in the past and this is now wearing off. When we were looking at buying the property a cursory lift of the carpet in the living room suggested concrete as the floor. Our thinking was that we would have the concrete removed and a limecrete floor with UFH installed. Today I sampled two areas. What seems to have happened is that a thin layer of cement or screed has been laid over the tiles. Carpet was then laid over the top. I had a go at seeing how easy/otherwise it is to chip off the screed, but it comes away and brings parts of the glaze/varnish/tile with it.
The photos show the tiles in the hall - and therefore what is probably under the screed - and the two sample areas
1) Any ideas as to whether it may be possible to remove the screed chemically? Clearly mechanical removal will destroy the tiles.
2) Or the tiles are done for and either i) accept the status quo and leave it in place with new carpets (and attendant impermeable floor displacing moister into the walls.
3) Convince local CO that the damage is done and the floor should be removed and limecrete/UFH installed for the greater good of the rest of the structure?
Any thoughts?
Jon
First post - but been lurking awhile....
We recently bought a 'project' which is a timber framed/brick infill farmhouse (as was). There is a long list of items to be addressed. Currently debating what to do with the flooring in the long living-cum-dining room. In the hallway there are tiles that have been varnished in the past and this is now wearing off. When we were looking at buying the property a cursory lift of the carpet in the living room suggested concrete as the floor. Our thinking was that we would have the concrete removed and a limecrete floor with UFH installed. Today I sampled two areas. What seems to have happened is that a thin layer of cement or screed has been laid over the tiles. Carpet was then laid over the top. I had a go at seeing how easy/otherwise it is to chip off the screed, but it comes away and brings parts of the glaze/varnish/tile with it.
The photos show the tiles in the hall - and therefore what is probably under the screed - and the two sample areas
1) Any ideas as to whether it may be possible to remove the screed chemically? Clearly mechanical removal will destroy the tiles.
2) Or the tiles are done for and either i) accept the status quo and leave it in place with new carpets (and attendant impermeable floor displacing moister into the walls.
3) Convince local CO that the damage is done and the floor should be removed and limecrete/UFH installed for the greater good of the rest of the structure?
Any thoughts?
Jon