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- 18 Aug 2011
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Hi,
I am looking to spruce up the cellar of my circa 1900 victorian stone terrace. I've been in the property for 4 years, and over time, the problem of damp in the cellar has increased.
The cellar is only partially underground and has a window. It already has a plumbing point, and I wish to use it as a utility (placing the washing machine down there) and for storage. However, I am hoping to get some ideas as to reducing the moisture levels and make it more presentable. I'm hoping not to spend a fortune. As the height is only 6ft, I understand adding a membrane would require digging down to allow enough headroom, and would make the whole venture more costly. I've provided some pictures to give an idea of it's condition.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grimaldinho/sets/72157627461995106/
The walls appear to coated with limewash, which is flaking away in a number of places. I've read that an appropriate paint can be used to paint over the limewash or I could re-limewash the walls.
The floor is untreated and prone to mould at present (see photos) with damp patches. What could I use to clear the mould (Jeyes fluid?) and what might be an appropriate breathable coating for the floor? A paint which discourages mould might be useful too.
Finally, as I wish to use the cellar for storage, I was thinking I need to improve ventilation and reduce the moisture levels. One idea I've had is to install a dehumidifier on the external wall. It would be at a suitable height to drain to the outside drain. Bearing in mind the state of the cellar at the moment, does this seem like a sensible course of action, or will it be an expensive mistake, perhaps needing to be running permanently to keep moisture to an acceptable level? There is scope to improve natural ventilation (window open and I will soon have a space where an old boiler was), but I'm unconvinced of whether it would be enough to reduce the damp.
Any ideas for solutions welcome. I guess the key thing is that I'm not planning on turning it into a habitable room: I just want it to be a less damp, nicer looking room which could be used for storage. Also, I don't plan on staying in the house forever, so I'm not looking to spend a fortune.
Thanks for reading.
I am looking to spruce up the cellar of my circa 1900 victorian stone terrace. I've been in the property for 4 years, and over time, the problem of damp in the cellar has increased.
The cellar is only partially underground and has a window. It already has a plumbing point, and I wish to use it as a utility (placing the washing machine down there) and for storage. However, I am hoping to get some ideas as to reducing the moisture levels and make it more presentable. I'm hoping not to spend a fortune. As the height is only 6ft, I understand adding a membrane would require digging down to allow enough headroom, and would make the whole venture more costly. I've provided some pictures to give an idea of it's condition.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grimaldinho/sets/72157627461995106/
The walls appear to coated with limewash, which is flaking away in a number of places. I've read that an appropriate paint can be used to paint over the limewash or I could re-limewash the walls.
The floor is untreated and prone to mould at present (see photos) with damp patches. What could I use to clear the mould (Jeyes fluid?) and what might be an appropriate breathable coating for the floor? A paint which discourages mould might be useful too.
Finally, as I wish to use the cellar for storage, I was thinking I need to improve ventilation and reduce the moisture levels. One idea I've had is to install a dehumidifier on the external wall. It would be at a suitable height to drain to the outside drain. Bearing in mind the state of the cellar at the moment, does this seem like a sensible course of action, or will it be an expensive mistake, perhaps needing to be running permanently to keep moisture to an acceptable level? There is scope to improve natural ventilation (window open and I will soon have a space where an old boiler was), but I'm unconvinced of whether it would be enough to reduce the damp.
Any ideas for solutions welcome. I guess the key thing is that I'm not planning on turning it into a habitable room: I just want it to be a less damp, nicer looking room which could be used for storage. Also, I don't plan on staying in the house forever, so I'm not looking to spend a fortune.
Thanks for reading.