{"id":1370,"date":"2020-11-04T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-04T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kezzabeth.co.uk\/?p=3657"},"modified":"2020-11-04T08:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-11-04T08:00:00","slug":"why-your-cellar-walls-need-to-breathe-and-why-were-not-tanking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/twitsguides.co.uk\/why-your-cellar-walls-need-to-breathe-and-why-were-not-tanking\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Your Cellar Walls Need to Breathe (And Why We\u2019re NOT Tanking)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n <\/p>\n
Renovations in our old victorian basement cellar have begun, and although it\u2019s very slow progress, this is a project I\u2019m so excited to develop! So far, we\u2019ve stripped back the walls<\/a>, opened up the fireplace<\/a> and we\u2019ve even added in a window<\/a>.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve made great headway, but we still have plenty left to achieve before it\u2019s anywhere near usable down there. One question I\u2019ve been asked a few times over the last few months is how we\u2019ll be tanking\/damp-proofing the basement.<\/p>\n The answer is, we\u2019re not. So I thought I would write a post and explain why<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n Before I start though, I just wanted to say that I am certainly NO expert when it comes to buildings or building work in general. However, there is A LOT of free advice on the internet (not all good advice, I might add!!) and lots of different platforms you can learn from.<\/p>\n About 7\/8 years ago when we were in the process of selling our previous home, my eyes were opened around the questionable work within the damp-proofing industry. I spent hours reading information from experts and watching YouTube videos calling out damp-proofing techniques that just don\u2019t work in period homes.<\/p>\n I know this may all sound like a bit of a conspiracy theory against damp-proofing \u2013 but I\u2019m going to share what I\u2019ve learnt over the years and hopefully, it will at least make you think twice about certain techniques and to weigh up the different opinions before jumping down the \u201cwe need to damp-proof X-Y-Z\u201d route.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve also linked some great sources at the end of this post where you can find more information about damp\/breathability in old homes.<\/p>\n Not all buildings are built the same way. You\u2019ve seen cottages built in a collection of various sized local stones right? And you can tell the difference between period bricks and modern bricks? These materials are all slightly different. A bit like card, paper and kitchen roll, so to speak. Same same, but different.<\/p>\n Some bricks are softer than others and likewise, some mortars are softer than others too. Yes, it\u2019s all mortar and it all holds your house together, but the exact ingredients and ratios might be different.<\/p>\n In period buildings, traditionally when it was built, the mortar was made from lime<\/strong>. As was the plaster, any exterior renders and even the paint. All lime-based products! And what makes lime special? It\u2019s porous, making it breathable.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nPeriod Houses are Made with Different Materials<\/h2>\n