Hello everyone,
As mentioned in other threads, our project involves converting an old barn into residential use (we are currently removing the old floor and chipping off the plaster from the walls). We now have the following issue:
A completely new interior layer, including insulation, will be installed in front of the existing (old) walls. The (old) walls that are currently standing are partly very damp; moisture is already visible in some areas (where we removed the old plaster). The question is to what extent this poses a problem for the new interior layer and insulation? Part of the floor is also damp because the building (the windows) is not fully sealed. Is this also a problem for the new slab foundation? We are very cautious about moisture and quite concerned that it might cause problems later on.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Best regards
- wilsumer -
As mentioned in other threads, our project involves converting an old barn into residential use (we are currently removing the old floor and chipping off the plaster from the walls). We now have the following issue:
A completely new interior layer, including insulation, will be installed in front of the existing (old) walls. The (old) walls that are currently standing are partly very damp; moisture is already visible in some areas (where we removed the old plaster). The question is to what extent this poses a problem for the new interior layer and insulation? Part of the floor is also damp because the building (the windows) is not fully sealed. Is this also a problem for the new slab foundation? We are very cautious about moisture and quite concerned that it might cause problems later on.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Best regards
- wilsumer -
Barn and plaster – how do they fit together? – I assume only on the outside (?)
Even for a building plot that I would call “covered with a building,” a soil survey can be useful. What is the soil composition like, and what is the construction year of the barn?
In cases of moisture remediation, specialists in building damage with this focus should always be consulted. I would also recommend waiting for some time before continuing construction after a professionally performed structural drying. Furthermore, there are many different types and causes of moisture damage. The “right” treatment for one type may seem effective but might not provide lasting results for another. Simply removing the damaged material and replastering won’t solve the issue; experts need to be involved.
What does “windows not all sealed” mean exactly: Are the individual damage sites assigned to wind-driven rain penetration (external wall, window reveals and sills), rising damp (foundations), or seepage from rainwater (roof)?
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Even for a building plot that I would call “covered with a building,” a soil survey can be useful. What is the soil composition like, and what is the construction year of the barn?
In cases of moisture remediation, specialists in building damage with this focus should always be consulted. I would also recommend waiting for some time before continuing construction after a professionally performed structural drying. Furthermore, there are many different types and causes of moisture damage. The “right” treatment for one type may seem effective but might not provide lasting results for another. Simply removing the damaged material and replastering won’t solve the issue; experts need to be involved.
What does “windows not all sealed” mean exactly: Are the individual damage sites assigned to wind-driven rain penetration (external wall, window reveals and sills), rising damp (foundations), or seepage from rainwater (roof)?
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
The plaster is only on the interior. No idea why, but that’s how it is.
Floor structure: There used to be about 40cm (16 inches) of concrete and stones, and now there is basically sand everywhere. In between, there was at least partially a polyethylene (PE) membrane and insulation material. The building was constructed around 1960–1970. It was formerly a pigsty but has been completely vacant for about 15 years.
The windows are not sealed, meaning that in some cases only the frame remains and rainwater comes straight in. The doors are also partly damaged, allowing water easy access. Fortunately, the roof is completely watertight, but it will still be completely replaced.
As a layperson, I would say that the damp walls are almost exclusively limited to the areas around the windows and doors. The floor is only damp in one spot, which is most likely due to a defective door.
My main question is basically whether this moisture really matters, since we will be installing a completely new interior shell and slab foundation, both of which are well protected against moisture. My biggest concern is the insulation material between the old and new wall!
Floor structure: There used to be about 40cm (16 inches) of concrete and stones, and now there is basically sand everywhere. In between, there was at least partially a polyethylene (PE) membrane and insulation material. The building was constructed around 1960–1970. It was formerly a pigsty but has been completely vacant for about 15 years.
The windows are not sealed, meaning that in some cases only the frame remains and rainwater comes straight in. The doors are also partly damaged, allowing water easy access. Fortunately, the roof is completely watertight, but it will still be completely replaced.
As a layperson, I would say that the damp walls are almost exclusively limited to the areas around the windows and doors. The floor is only damp in one spot, which is most likely due to a defective door.
My main question is basically whether this moisture really matters, since we will be installing a completely new interior shell and slab foundation, both of which are well protected against moisture. My biggest concern is the insulation material between the old and new wall!
Ah, you led me in the wrong direction there— a stable is not a barn. Barns in my area are usually made of unfinished pumice block masonry. For stables, interior plaster makes sense, as well as a concrete floor; barns more often have only compacted floors, sometimes with a cemented top layer.
Regarding the windows, I assume they are iron frames with single glazing set in putty?
Vacancy is the fastest way to accelerate decay ;-(
Any moisture damage must be thoroughly repaired. You cannot ignore it or just seal it off.
For a double-wall exterior with the special case of outer and inner layers being of different ages—and with the outer layer having a history of moisture damage—I would recommend only a generously sized air gap in between. High-density insulation materials are a bad idea here unless you want to encourage mold growth.
To put it simply: rot is like cancer for buildings. When it comes to moisture damage, trying to save money without a proper diagnosis is a mistake—you easily end up with the wrong treatment. Hoping that simply preventing new moisture from entering the structure will be enough is wishful thinking.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Regarding the windows, I assume they are iron frames with single glazing set in putty?
Vacancy is the fastest way to accelerate decay ;-(
Any moisture damage must be thoroughly repaired. You cannot ignore it or just seal it off.
For a double-wall exterior with the special case of outer and inner layers being of different ages—and with the outer layer having a history of moisture damage—I would recommend only a generously sized air gap in between. High-density insulation materials are a bad idea here unless you want to encourage mold growth.
To put it simply: rot is like cancer for buildings. When it comes to moisture damage, trying to save money without a proper diagnosis is a mistake—you easily end up with the wrong treatment. Hoping that simply preventing new moisture from entering the structure will be enough is wishful thinking.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Yes, of course, a barn is not the same as a stable. So it is/was a stable. My mistake.
The windows are, I believe, made of concrete, but some are without glass. That means rain can come in directly, and it has been raining inside for a long period. From the outside, the gutters are also damaged in several places. You can see the dampness on the masonry there as well. So we are quite certain about the causes.
I currently don’t know exactly how the architect and the construction company planned the insulation. However, both have experience with converting stables/barns. Therefore, they should know what they’re doing, but I will, of course, bring this up again.
How can the moisture damage be repaired? Renovation plaster? Or do the damp areas need to be extensively renewed? That would, of course, be a worst-case scenario. Although the affected areas are not large, it would still be quite costly.
The windows are, I believe, made of concrete, but some are without glass. That means rain can come in directly, and it has been raining inside for a long period. From the outside, the gutters are also damaged in several places. You can see the dampness on the masonry there as well. So we are quite certain about the causes.
I currently don’t know exactly how the architect and the construction company planned the insulation. However, both have experience with converting stables/barns. Therefore, they should know what they’re doing, but I will, of course, bring this up again.
How can the moisture damage be repaired? Renovation plaster? Or do the damp areas need to be extensively renewed? That would, of course, be a worst-case scenario. Although the affected areas are not large, it would still be quite costly.
wilsumer schrieb:
Yes, of course, a barn is not the same as a stable. So it is/was a stable. My mistake This was not just a matter of terminology but a significant difference: a barn is used for storing dry goods, whereas a livestock stable houses animals that eat and produce wet waste, which is why it is also designed for wet cleaning.
wilsumer schrieb:
How can the moisture damage be repaired? Renovation plaster? Or do the "wet" areas even need to be extensively replaced?You have to be very prepared for this: yes, this is precisely the difference between renovation and cosmetic work. Renovation always involves addressing the building’s structure.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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