Recent content by AG1960

In terms of preventing damp in there, a cavity wall will help, as will the use of DPC in the walls and especially a DPM in the floor slab. Beyond that, the main thing is to have adequate ventilation so air can move through. People often underestimate the importance of ventilation and even get it...

Not if you're normal, but the cretins who built this did do some very odd and horrible things, hence I have taken the plaster suggestions seriously.

If they've used plaster, it would seem a bit strange that after 55 years there are no cracks. Not even hairline. And it's not as if the rest of the build was really good and rescued what would've been very weak mortar. The build was total **** and partly why this project is happening in the...

1971, who knows? Still standing and fine so I doubt it's plaster. We are leaving the existing ties in but adding some new ones here and there. Belt and braces. For one thing, the existing ones will now be getting slathered in a load of new caustic cement.

For adding new ones, would digging out the mortar and then using resin to hold them in place work?

Hello, We have exposed the inner leaf of a 1970s extension by completely removing the outer leaf, and found the old galvanised steel wall ties. Most of them look fine but some are rusty. Before we build the outer leaf back up I am thinking it might be sensible to replace all the wall ties. Is...

Hi all, Any thoughts on the best non-PIR cavity insulation to use? Batts or rockwool? Particular brand and type you like? Also, is it sufficiently water repellant to fully fill cavity? Thanks

Is there any structural reason not to do it this way?

When blocking up a window on the inside, is it ok for the fibolite blocks to go up to the plasterwork in the window reveal? Window cill has been removed and block work built up from there. Plaster on the sides and top of the reveal is the old thick mortar type they used in the 60s. Or, should...

Thanks to everybody who has responded, most helpful. On the above provided by Noseall, it looks as though I am either safe or very close to the boundary. The works relate to an old extension. Having measured the length of its outer walls, they total 10m in length. The house as a whole though...

What is the 25% rule? If the cavity was empty to begin with and then filled with wall batts would that be sufficient without having to renovate the room again internally? The room is already fully decorated and we do not want to be replastering it all again, ripping off skirting boards...

Thanks. We have noticed the snots etc on the backs of the inner leaf but think we can get those off with a chisel. That said, you are right about tue ease and flexibility of using the other type, and there will investably be gaps where there is unevenness on the inner leaf, which there is...

Hi everyone, We are having the outer leaf of bricks replaced on an old extension and intend to improve the cavity wall insulation from the existing blown-in fluffy stuff. What type is likely to give us the biggest improvement in a 50mm cavity? I believe this would be the PIR boards but one of...