Period property Yeovil

Period Property

Originally two 19th century cottages, the property underwent extensive refurbishment in the 1970′s and were converted into one dwelling at which time an extension was also constructed.

The property retained no obvious physical damp proof course, other than the modern extension and was constructed under a slate covered roof with four dormer windows across the front south facing elevation.

The Survey

Our visual examination of the internal wall surfaces at both ground and first floor level revealed various areas of decorative spoiling and extensive plaster damage affecting many walls including the inner hall, study, dining room and sitting room. The walls were also physically damp to the touch in various rooms.

Externally the property had been rendered with a very hard sand cement mortar and all elevations showed signs of past cracking probably due to mortar shrinkage and minor movement within the building. Upon inspection the render was found to be extremely hard and also physically damp.

The Solution

After extensive investigation and laboratory analysis of mortar and plaster samples it was concluded that there were various sources of dampness affecting this property, although the main source of moisture responsible for the decorative spoiling and plaster damage to walls was due to lateral moisture penetration through cracks in the render and moisture entrapment within the wall due to the past application of hard cement renders both externally and internally.

This effectively meant that moisture was trapped within the fabric of the wall and had a very slow evaporation rate.

Having removed the external render it was discovered that the walls were actually flint faced and banded and after discussion with the client it was decided to re-point the walls rather than cover the attractive brick and flint. The old chimney was opened up and left open as a feature (it now houses a wine rack) and new timber window boards fitted to replace the plastic ones. Down pipes were replaced and recommendations made to install extractors to the bathroom. A new plinth was formed around the base of the external walls to cosmetically cover poor and damaged low level brickwork and the reveals were also rendered due to the poorly fitted Upvc windows.

The end result of the work carried out is that the once bland looking rendered cottage with major damp problems is now dry and comfortable attracting many complementary comments from passing villagers.