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Have re-measured using string lines. The mortar joint will be 15 to 22 mm thick, presumably split above and below a dpm. Is that a bit better? I'll keep the mortar on the dry side... I will still need to shim a couple. Thinking of using steel mending plates with building adhesive. If I need...

Thanks. I was saying I don't have time for mortar to cure, but i do have a couple days---three before the plywood subfloor goes down. would this be enough for a ground floor? I was thinking of the old 7 day strength for concrete...

Hello! Hopefully a quick question: I am reconstructing my floor (as on another thread recently). I am re-using the brick joist pockets, so the joist levels are fixed. The floor was partially supported at 1/2 span on a masonry sleeper wall, and I will have a butt joint for each new joist on...

Thanks ree. I grew up in Concord mainly, but I haven't lived in the States since 11 yrs old, so my phrases could be off! The joists are indeed small, but that's the largest that will fit in the brick pockets, so I assume they are original. A few had been replaced as far as I can tell, though...

I just noticed you're posting from California. Where are you based, if you don't mind my asking? I'm originally from eastern Bay Area.

Hello Ree, I don't know for certain that settlement has occurred, but the image below shows what I encountered in the living room last year, and I am 95% sure we will have the same in the adjoining dining room. The difference in level is about 30 mm. The house was built in 1936, on...

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately settlement did occur, as I checked the levels in the adjoining room late last year. I was thinking along the same lines wrt wall plate and pockets. Means I will have to cut each joist in half and scab together, but there we go. My colleague tells me there...

It smells like wet rot, but that's not surprising! There are some fairly good cast iron vents. There's just not much room to add more. In addition, it's a semi, and the historical addition of a solid floor in the kitchen means there's just not great airflow. I'll clean the vents out and use...

PS, good luck with your new home! It's a bit of a pain if you only need to replace one or two joists: getting a camber to match. I did this in our living room, and ended up cutting the joists in half, and scabbing together with coach bolts. I 'softened' the crown in the centre with a planer...

Yeah, will be using pressure treated C16s. But I want it to last for a while, so was thinking of using the hangers. I'll be using breathable mineral fibre insulation, using nettings. Might not be able to achieve the full depth recommended as the joists are only 2x4s...

Hello all, Been a regular reader of this forum, but not posted much until now. I am now going to attempt to re-build my timber dining room floor as most of it is rotten. (Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot I can do to improve ventilation without installing a fan. The underfloor void is...

Unfortunately Wickes don't carry boards like that.

Hello all, I am putting down an new ground floor in my bay window, and want to use plywood over the joists (carpet to go over later). I am only replacing the odd bay window shape, so am looking for ways to keep the floor strong, and minimise cutting. To that end, is it possible to get 18...

Irrespective of permissions, I wouldn't connect any new surface water drainage to a combined system if there is an alternative. That is, unless you know of a specific capacity problem on the sw system.

Hello, Some runoff calcs for you in case it is useful. I have included the input variables and methodology in case you need to provide details to the Council. Method: Manual runoff calculation for use in the Modified Rational Method(1). FSR Data for Cambridge: - M5-60 = 20.0 mm - r...

Hello, I would definitely go with Hugh's suggestion. Try to avoid going down the route of public surface water sewer (Cambridge Water?) as they won't want to accept any new runoff without justification. It can be done if necessary though, but you will need to apply. Highway drainage...

Thanks Gregers I thought about it, but wasn't sure if that would be a problem structurally (as the joists are only 2x4s really). Also, I would have a flat section of floor, tying into the existing floor, which still would have a crown! Not sure if that is possible...

Hello! In reply to your first query: no you can't connect the highway drainage into the combined sewer system, at least not without agreement. They are likely owned by two different authorities and you would need permission to do this. Generally speaking, it is not a great idea to...