Category: Projects

[DRAFT project write-up – awaiting Julian’s approval before going live]

This job in Newport, Barnstaple, was on a Victorian property with solid walls, where water was getting in through the walls. We tanked and damp-proofed the walls, then replastered the room.

The problem

Victorian houses like this one are built with solid walls, with no cavity. Here the ground level outside was high against the walls, so water was penetrating through the solid walls into the room.

What we did

Where high ground levels push water against a solid wall, tanking puts a continuous waterproof barrier on the inside face of the wall so the water can’t come through. On this job we used cement slurry tanking on the bare stone and brick walls. The ground levels outside were not lowered – the tanking stops the water at the wall instead. The walls were then plastered, as the after photo shows.

The result

We have over 30 years’ experience of damp proofing and tanking systems. Read more about our damp proofing and tanking, or get a free damp survey and quote.

[DRAFT project write-up – awaiting Julian’s approval before going live]

This five-month contract was a renovation of a traditional cottage in Welcombe, Devon, using two breathable materials: eco-cork external insulation on the gable end with the front door, and traditional lime mortar, inside and out, on the rest of the cottage.

The project

The cottage has traditional solid walls. The aim was to improve it with materials that suit the way it was built, rather than sealing the walls in with modern, non-breathable products. The work ran as a five-month contract.

Our approach

• Eco-cork external insulation on the parts of the building where insulation was needed.
• Traditional lime mortar, inside and out, on the rest of the building.

Why cork and lime suit traditional solid walls

Older solid walls have no cavity. They were built to take on some moisture and let it dry out again through the surface. Many modern insulation and render systems stop that happening, so moisture gets trapped in the wall and causes damp.

We’ve been lime rendering for over 25 years. Cork and lime are both breathable. Cork is a natural insulating material, so it keeps heat in without trapping moisture in the wall. Lime mortar lets the wall dry out naturally and is flexible enough to cope with the small movements found in older buildings. Used together, they let a traditional wall stay warmer and keep working the way it was designed to.

The result

The finished cottage has a clean white finish outside, with insulation where it was needed and breathable lime throughout the rest of the building, inside and out.

Thinking about insulating an older home?

Find out more about our lime and heritage work and wall insulation, or get in touch for a free quote.

Related: Lime & heritage work · Internal wall insulation · Rendering · Contact

[DRAFT project write-up – awaiting Julian’s approval before going live]

This was a full lime renovation, inside and out, on an old railway cottage in Instow.

The problem

At some point in the past, the cottage had been re-rendered with sand and cement. After decades on the wall, that render had failed, and the cottage had damp problems.

Why sand and cement fails on old solid walls

Older cottages like this have solid walls with no cavity. They were built to take on some moisture and let it dry out again through the surface. Sand and cement render is hard and much less breathable, so it traps moisture in the wall behind it. Over time that trapped water shows up as damp inside, and the render itself cracks and comes away from the wall – which lets in even more water.

Our recommendation

Our recommendation was lime mortar, inside and out – we’ve been lime rendering for over 25 years. Lime is breathable and slightly flexible, so it works with an old solid wall rather than against it. Using it on both faces of the wall means moisture can move through and escape in either direction, the way the building was designed to work.

The result

The lime work cured the damp problems, and the walls can breathe again.

Thinking about lime for your home?

If your older home has cement render and damp problems, lime may be the answer. Read more about our lime and heritage work and our damp proofing, or get in touch for a free quote.

Related: Lime & heritage work · Damp proofing · Rendering · Contact

[DRAFT project write-up – awaiting Julian’s approval before going live]

This job in Bideford tackled rising damp on an internal wall inside the property, from the cause right through to the finish.

The problem

Moisture rising up the internal wall had damaged the plaster and was showing as damp patches and staining.

What we did

1. Removed the damaged plaster to expose the brickwork.
2. Drilled the mortar course and injected Dryzone silicone damp-proofing cream to form a new damp-proof course.
3. Replastered the wall using a salt inhibitor and waterproofer, so salts left in the old wall don’t come through and spoil the new plaster.

The result

A dry internal wall with a new damp-proof course and fresh, smooth plaster, ready to decorate.

Got damp patches on an inside wall? Read more about our damp proofing or get in touch for a free survey and quote.

Related: Damp proofing · Plastering & skimming · Bideford

[DRAFT project write-up – awaiting Julian’s approval before going live]

A cold external wall makes a room expensive to heat and pushes up your heating bills. On this job in South Molton, we insulated the inside face of the external wall around a window for a warmer home, then skimmed it ready for decorating.

What we did

1. Applied dabs of adhesive to the bare wall (the “dot-and-dab” method), ready for the insulation boards.
2. Fixed Celotex insulated plasterboard to the wall.
3. Skimmed the new boards smooth and finished the window reveals, ready for decorating.

Step by step

Why it helps

Insulating solid external walls from the inside reduces heat loss through the wall, so the room warms up faster and stays warm for longer. For more ways to cut your bills, see our guide to lowering heating bills in older homes.

Thinking about insulating a cold room? Read more about internal wall insulation or get in touch for a free quote.

Related: Internal wall insulation · Plastering & skimming · South Molton and other areas we cover

[DRAFT project write-up – awaiting Julian’s approval before going live]

This external stairwell in Pilton, Barnstaple was rendered to give a clean, durable finish that will stand up to North Devon weather.

What we did

• Prepared the walls alongside the steps.
• Applied the render coats and finished the surface evenly.
• Left the site clean and tidy.

Related: Rendering · Barnstaple · Gallery