Tell Me Something............Anything!

[Pigmy Pony]

I agree with Grant and Barry, you don't want to be sealing in moisture, and also it will have absolutely no insulation properties. Pointing is defo the way to go if it's looking a bit ropey. You can buy extra thick grinding discs for small angle grinders that are good for raking out.

Roof repair costs will depend greatly on whether it's tiles or slates - tiles are about a quid each and quite easy to change, slates cost double that and are much more tricky. If they're clay Rosemary tiles I advise moving house Only kidding, but they can turn into a much bigger job.

Your mans prices seem very reasonable, so worth hanging on to him - we're a rare breed!

[Macca]

I think the tiles are slate. The pointing is okay it was done not long before I bought the place (one of the few things they did do). No way I'd be doing any of it myself though. I do enough work already. I'll tell him to forget about the brick coating though, thanks for the advice.

[Pigmy Pony]

A few years ago a lot of people were getting cavity wall insulation, and getting it free with grants. And this could cause all sorts of damp problems. Cavities are meant to breathe, and insulation can provide a 'bridge' between the outer and inner skins. One house we worked on a couple of years ago was plagued with damp patches on the outside walls, and we ended up getting a firm to take it out. Not cheap, but solved the problem.

Not saying this has anything to do with your house Martin, I just mention it because I'm bored.

[struth]

not sure how to put this without hilarity, so will just say ive had mine redone fairly recently. it breaks down after time especialy it the wall gets a lot of weather. no damp in my house so cant comment on that but understand the process

[Macca]

No cavity wall here. No insulation of any kind. No damp course, no central heating. I put double glazing in not long after I moved in, it was like a living in a barn before that. And not one of those good barns like you see on Grand Designs, either.

[Pigmy Pony]

The information I have regarding cavity wall insulation is purely anecdotal - I've not seen it anywhere in print, so may not be widespread.

All the houses where my mate lives in Annbank near Ayr (all council and ex-council houses) have had insulation fitted to the outside of the wall, and rendered. Seems to work well, but like most things it'll be largely down to the skill and thoroughness of the installer. Lots of these in Preston have had to be removed. I heard the council caught a cold with that project.

[walpurgis]

I bet your place does have a DPC (damp proof course) of some sort Martin, even if it's only slate course. Or is it a converted seventeenth century barn?

[Pigmy Pony]

Them seventeenth century barns are ok if they include a buxom lady in a frilly skirt waiting in the loft for some rumpy-pumpy.

[Macca]

I bet your place does have a DPC (damp proof course) of some sort Martin, even if it's only slate course. Or is it a converted seventeenth century barn?

People I bought it off told me there was none. Even though they had the place completely renovated in 1973. All the electrics need doing as well at some point. Could probably sink ten grand into it and still not sort everything.

[struth]

One would think there was something or it would have rotted. Probably as Geoff says a slate skirt