victorian house

Wanted to get an idea from experts/people who have dealt with what I presume is dry rot in a friend's house. Posted pictures, one from August and a comparison to now where it seems to have gotten significantly worse. It's downstairs, there's no immediate current source of moisture outside...

We are looking to replace old aluminium windows with either PVC or Timber sash windows. But the brickwork and timber around existing windows is eroding and there are large to fine gaps in brickwork. The paint on concrete windows sills is chipping away. I urgently filled large gaps last year...

We moved from a newbuild flat into a Victorian fixer upper and there are pipes running along the walls. Example attached - first pipe running from bottom of staircase to right by front door. Second running along kitchen wall. Wondering what they are and if there’s anything we can do to hide...

Hey all, I bought a Victorian terraced house 3 years ago and a year ago efflorescence started occurring in a horizontal line in my hall. I am at a loss though about what's causing it The wall is a shared wall with my neighbour and is solid. I had got it covered in lining paper before but have...

Hi all, First off - I've read the pinned condensation in loft thread and I reckon that answers my condensation / insulation related questions but have 3 Qs for those more experienced than me! I live in a Victorian terrace and I'm getting issues with condensation damp on my bedroom ceiling and...

Hello! Following increased readings of moisture on the internal side of the bay wall, a damp specialist has flagged raised ground levels on the exterior and recommended that the bricks at the base of the bay window are exposed and a french drain / gravel is installed around to protect the...

Hello everyone. This has probably been discussed previously but have not found any informative posts making me feel a bit better. (panic) So as many other fellow DIYers, I have purchased a nice Victorian terraced house built in the 1920s.The big renovations have started today and boy is the...

Morning all. Currently doing some repairs on my 1897 Victorian house. I am pretty certain that the solid walls are ashlar facing with a rubble backing but trying to figure out the material of the ashlar itself. From reading, it could also be Ashlar render which was popular in 19th century. You...

So based in the UK, doing a full-house renovation at a typical Victorian semi-detach. UK fire regulation means we need to build this firewall along the staircase. question is how do I finish the plasterboard bordering with the staircase as I assume they will crack from day 1? Do I put end...

We have a Victorian Terrace and the original tiles in the hallway. We have noticed that water is coming through the grouting when we step on the tiles. We have had the local water company out and they confirmed there is no leak below the house. Would be grateful for any ideas what is causing this

Hi All, I'm looking for some advice on what to do about the old plaster and metal lath in my basement (Victorian ground floor flat in London). For some background, there was previously drywall in the basement and the paper on it had gone extremely mouldy. I've been researching a lot about...

I’m going to insulate the voids between the ground floor and 1st floor of our house with sheeps wool laid onto either a breathable membrane or a wire net. Has anyone experience of doing this with a Victorian property? Or would you like to throw your advice in? I’m aware that our house is a...

Moved into our property (built in 1889) in May. Following some recent rain an internal wall has started to show signs of damp. Think it’s penetrating through the gaps in the render/plinth (see pics) any advice on how best to repair? We are complete novices so will likely need a professional, but...

I'll try keep it as brief as possible as I could go on on.. I'm having an internal damp issue on the front internal wall (north facing). See pictures of internal and external. House built in 1875. Yorkshire stone build. Damp ONLY occurs in winter, coincidentally when turning the heating on...

Hello, I’ve just opened up a previously bricked up opening in a chimney breast to reinstate a cast iron fireplace. You can see where the original fire was removed - the area was rendered in with cement which I’ve now removed. The replacement skirting was concrete too! First time I’ve seen that...

Not a wizened DIYer so please forgive naivety and incorrect terminology. I have a couple of fireplaces in my ground floor Victorian flat, both with approx. 2cm of old (cracked) screed over approx. 20cm of cement (lots of large stones in this lower mix). This all sits on a rubble filled, brick...

Hello We’re in the process of restoring the original homestead on our family farm. We’re getting it RE stumped and while pulling up the original verandah Timbers we found a branding stamp WIRRA. We are in Victoria, Australia, does anyone have any information about this brand? Just trying to...

Hi all, I've moved into a property that has significant damp marks at the front of the house (see pictures attached). I knew about this before moving in but am slightly lost as to what the best course of action is. There is a large carpeted cement step that is raised from the ground and then...

Hi all, We're currently renovating a Victorian house and are struggling a little with the kitchen floor situation. As we are in a tough spot financially we cannot afford to get any trades in at the moment so please no suggestions on that or i'll cry. As you can see from the picture half of...

Hi all, I'm currently renovating a ground floor suspended timber floor of a Victorian semi. I've just started removing a constructional hearth that was in front of a bricked-up fireplace, but after removing the concrete slab I realise that the earth underneath seems to also be supporting the...