Levelling Floors and Fixing Water Damage
- Thread starter benjy_b
- Start date
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That is one consideration
I'm edging more towards reclaimed softwood flooring and fitting it to the whole west side of the house.
Good news is the joists haven't been damaged by the leaks- the visible bits look perfect.
Levelling them- not a good idea to take any meat out of the joists, if there's one a bit high then best bet is to chisel (or use a router) a bit out of the floorboards. If they're low then set a level line and fix timber to the sides of the existing joists so the top of the battens are level (3 x 2 is plenty, 2 x 1 would do for most circumstances, get treated timber while you're on, doesn't cost much more at this stage).
Levelling them- not a good idea to take any meat out of the joists, if there's one a bit high then best bet is to chisel (or use a router) a bit out of the floorboards. If they're low then set a level line and fix timber to the sides of the existing joists so the top of the battens are level (3 x 2 is plenty, 2 x 1 would do for most circumstances, get treated timber while you're on, doesn't cost much more at this stage).
I'd just like to bump this...
We have decided to replace all the chipboard floorboard with softwood floorboards. Whilst the boards are up, we're going to take advantage and insulate the floor.
Can anyone advise if we would need a vapour control layer?
Proposed construction:
Floorboards
VCL
Insulation (sheets wool)
Netting
Furthermore, how would I go about routing the wiring for the plug sockets? I intend to mechanically fit insulated plasterboard to the external walls of the rooms. I believe this would also require a VCL and for it to be effective, would require it to be sealed. The socket wiring comes from below the joists.
We have decided to replace all the chipboard floorboard with softwood floorboards. Whilst the boards are up, we're going to take advantage and insulate the floor.
Can anyone advise if we would need a vapour control layer?
Proposed construction:
Floorboards
VCL
Insulation (sheets wool)
Netting
Furthermore, how would I go about routing the wiring for the plug sockets? I intend to mechanically fit insulated plasterboard to the external walls of the rooms. I believe this would also require a VCL and for it to be effective, would require it to be sealed. The socket wiring comes from below the joists.
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Don't think you have to have a VCL in the floor, bonus is it'll prevent any draughts, danger is if the floor does get damp it'll stay damp. If you're carpeting then that'll kill any draughts.
Regarding your walls, easiest is to fix insulation boards to the walls, then 20mm battens onto the insulation, then plasterboard to the battens. The 20mm battens will give you a service void for cables, backboxes etc. without compromising the vapour barrier (formed by the foil covering on the insulation and the jointing tape that you use between the boards). Depending on the construction of the outside walls, you may have to leave an air gap between insulation and wall (check with manufacturer of insulation).
EDIT Also be wary of burying cables in insulation- you have to derate them quite significantly
Regarding your walls, easiest is to fix insulation boards to the walls, then 20mm battens onto the insulation, then plasterboard to the battens. The 20mm battens will give you a service void for cables, backboxes etc. without compromising the vapour barrier (formed by the foil covering on the insulation and the jointing tape that you use between the boards). Depending on the construction of the outside walls, you may have to leave an air gap between insulation and wall (check with manufacturer of insulation).
EDIT Also be wary of burying cables in insulation- you have to derate them quite significantly
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