Hello,
we have an old house that is about 300 years old, with exterior walls approximately 60 cm (24 inches) thick.
We recently purchased a moisture meter and found that one exterior wall, up to a height of about 120 cm (47 inches), shows a reading of “100.” In these areas, the plaster also feels hollow underneath and will likely start to crumble over time.
The other exterior walls have readings between 70 and 80.
Around the outside of the house, we have noticed a concrete ring approximately 50 cm (20 inches) wide. This does not appear to be connected to the foundation slab, and in the gap between the slab and this base, we can see some black sealing material protruding slightly. Could it be that the previous owner installed some sort of drainage system there?
The house was unoccupied for more than 10 years, and therefore it was not regularly heated during that time. It used to be an old mill and is otherwise in good condition. In 2003, there was a flood with water reaching about 50 cm (20 inches) inside the house. Is it possible that since then it has never properly dried out?
Under these circumstances, how should or could we achieve stability regarding moisture? Or is it likely that for such an old house in a flood-prone area, this will never fully work?
I need your advice.
Thank you
we have an old house that is about 300 years old, with exterior walls approximately 60 cm (24 inches) thick.
We recently purchased a moisture meter and found that one exterior wall, up to a height of about 120 cm (47 inches), shows a reading of “100.” In these areas, the plaster also feels hollow underneath and will likely start to crumble over time.
The other exterior walls have readings between 70 and 80.
Around the outside of the house, we have noticed a concrete ring approximately 50 cm (20 inches) wide. This does not appear to be connected to the foundation slab, and in the gap between the slab and this base, we can see some black sealing material protruding slightly. Could it be that the previous owner installed some sort of drainage system there?
The house was unoccupied for more than 10 years, and therefore it was not regularly heated during that time. It used to be an old mill and is otherwise in good condition. In 2003, there was a flood with water reaching about 50 cm (20 inches) inside the house. Is it possible that since then it has never properly dried out?
Under these circumstances, how should or could we achieve stability regarding moisture? Or is it likely that for such an old house in a flood-prone area, this will never fully work?
I need your advice.
Thank you
One of my buddies here swears by his 60cm (24 inch) thick sandstone walls.
He installed a Swedish stove, and he doesn't care if it uses 1 cubic meter more firewood or not.
He says it stays nice and warm in winter and cool in summer, completely unaffected by the outside weather.
There is still an old clay plaster on the walls.
He installed a Swedish stove, and he doesn't care if it uses 1 cubic meter more firewood or not.
He says it stays nice and warm in winter and cool in summer, completely unaffected by the outside weather.
There is still an old clay plaster on the walls.
M
Mottenhausen27 Mar 2019 11:26A 100% reliable horizontal damp-proof course is no longer achievable with the wall thickness and irregular natural stone masonry. Drilling and liquid silication might work to some extent. My parents had it done in their house, and I would say it had about a 98% success rate.
It is probably better to maintain the indoor climate in the long term through ventilation and heating. I am not very convinced by deliberate drying of the walls, as the capillaries will draw up new moisture afterward.
It is probably better to maintain the indoor climate in the long term through ventilation and heating. I am not very convinced by deliberate drying of the walls, as the capillaries will draw up new moisture afterward.