Concrete floor resting on timber joists??

[Jon c]

Hi all,

Bought a circa 1920s downstairs flat recently as a renovation project, we've ended up having to take all the ceilings down as they were crumbling lath and plaster as well as going back to brick on most of the walls. Most of the construction is more or less as expected for that era but I've come across something interesting above the kitchen ceilings, its what appears to be some sort of concrete floor resting on the original timber joists, which as you'll see in the pic are in a pretty bad way! There's a flat above me so this would be their floor.

So just wondering really if anyone's come across this as I've certainly never seen anything like it and can't find any info on Google either! The concrete, if that's what it is, is quite crumbly.

Cheers!

 

[johnny2007]

Your main concern has to be the woodworm damage which is substantial and possibly still active.
Being a flat and being this a structural problem, if your property is leasehold, this might be the responsibility of all the leaseholders.
Speak to the management company.

 

[Jon c]

Your main concern has to be the woodworm damage which is substantial and possibly still active.

Definitely agree we've actually got acrows up already, and are going to replace the joists that are knackered.

 

[noseall]

Hi all,

Bought a circa 1920s downstairs flat recently as a renovation project, we've ended up having to take all the ceilings down as they were crumbling lath and plaster as well as going back to brick on most of the walls. Most of the construction is more or less as expected for that era but I've come across something interesting above the kitchen ceilings, its what appears to be some sort of concrete floor resting on the original timber joists, which as you'll see in the pic are in a pretty bad way! There's a flat above me so this would be their floor.
View attachment 405142
View attachment 405143

So just wondering really if anyone's come across this as I've certainly never seen anything like it and can't find any info on Google either! The concrete, if that's what it is, is quite crumbly.

Cheers!

Yes, I have seen it, on a very old building. We actually found some original old newspapers and documents inside dating from the late 1700's.

 

[ree]

OP,
As advised above, contact any lease holders immediately tomorrow morning.
Dont do any joist work until you have a legal go-ahead in writing.
The lead waste pipe(?) & its boxing, & the "concrete" are also causes for concern.
Building Regs & Planning forum on here has people with helpful legal knowledge.