rotten walls !!

[hughsie]

Hi, am just starting a renovation project on a old timber framed cottage I have just bought. The survey said that damp was a problem and expected this from the start. However, I have just come back from ripping off the skirting boards of the downstairs rooms and found a horrid sight ! Behind the boards seems to be a thick beam of wood that has bricks above. The beam is completely rotten. I know that this will need replacing but how much of a job will this be. I cant believe that the house is still standing as it seems to be doing so on a pile of rotten timbers !!

 

[imamartian]

i'm only a diyer, so this is my opinion, and not meant as advice.... but if it were me, i'd get some professional advice sharpish!

also i would get some support in place of the timber... concrete blocks, or dig down and put in a concrete pad?

if the timber is shot all over, then you need help... however, if it's isolated to a small patch you don't have to worry too much, as far as i know, the bricks will fall out in a triangle... but you don't want to get that far..

get a builder in....

 

[hughsie]

Thanks for that. I must admit I still cannot work out if what I am seeing is correct. i.e. that a supporting wall is built on a wooden base. Looks as if the wood rests onto a concrete slab or bricks but either way the wood is at ground level. Thanks for your advise though

 

[imamartian]

you'd expect concrete footings wouldn't you? if so, get some concrete blocks or bricks in there to support it, and then let the experts at it?

 

[imamartian]

in fact, post this in the building forum, not in here?

good luck fella.