One of our current projects originally involves the installation of a damp proofing scheme in a 300 year old cottage near Walton Le Dale Preston. Once we carefully removed the existing plaster work it quickly became clear that we had more than damp to contend with. There were some very interesting features dating from a great many number of years ago including an old low level window incorporating a huge stone lintel and stone sill. next to the chimney breast. The window had been bricked up so long ago that the brickwork infill panel still had its original lime and horse hair plaster coating. We also uncovered some less attractive features such as defective incorrectly installed electrical work including a live electrical wire which had been cut into and patched up with bathroom mastic! The wall above the door had dropped due to the advanced decay in the timber lintel causing it to lose its size and shape.
On this occasion due to the poor unstable structure of the internal walls and chimney breast it was decided after consultation with our client to re-build the chimney breast and internal walls incorporating structural plastic damp proof courses and insulation to bring the property up to modern standards in terms of damp resistance and thermal properties. The re-build / repairs will give us the opportunity to improve the services within the home, concealing ugly plumbing and electrical wiring.
We will incorporate some of the historical features back into the structure such as some original brickwork and stone lintels to retain its cottage feel.
