What is this?

[Mr Sparkle]

Was chiseling some new sockets in a Victorian house

And i came across this unusual (well at least to me) black thingymajig in the wall

It appears to sit between the brickwork and internal lime plaster

What is it? Perhaps some sort of damp proof/resisting material?

If so, should i avoid chiseling a socket in this area?

 

[JohnD]

I wonder what size it is

and how far above the floor.

 

[Nige F]

It's Newtonite lath - a damp proofing/tanking system. Yes, avoid puncturing it !

 

[JohnD]

is it in a basement?

 

[Mr Sparkle]

It's Newtonite lath - a damp proofing/tanking system. Yes, avoid puncturing it !

Thanks.

Unfortunately, having no idea it was there, I've already punctured it with my grinder

Is there a way to repair this?

Also, i need to fit a new radiator on a wall which contains this newtonite lath. Is there some sort of recommendation.

It's interesting how tanking is not advised on Victorian solid walls with lime mortar. The advice is to let the walls breathe and not tank

However this newtonite lath system actually works because the wall is bone dry. Contrastingly, the wall without newtonite lath is damp

is it in a basement?

No, it's in the living room.

The property doesn't benefit from a basement.

Would have been interesting to see how effective the system is in a basement

 

[JohnD]

The wall does not create water, so the water must be coming from somewhere

What is on the other side of the wall? Stand back and take some wide pics, roof to ground.

Is it a solid floor?

Have you got a water meter?

 

[Nige F]

Thanks.

Unfortunately, having no idea it was there, I've already punctured it with my grinder

Is there a way to repair this?

Also, i need to fit a new radiator on a wall which contains this newtonite lath. Is there some sort of recommendation.

Int

The company are still going **** newtonwaterproofing.co.uk **** and you can get mastic and special screw fixings