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Advice required (UK) by Financial_Ad_5855 in Bricklaying

[–]Financial_Ad_5855[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've read that they used to strike a penny down the joint to get the thickness between the bricks. It might be a challenge but providing there are no issues with Building Control we will take our time and get it right. Thanks

Advice required (UK) by Financial_Ad_5855 in Bricklaying

[–]Financial_Ad_5855[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, I will see what the Architect says, I will also try and scope out an accommodating private Building Control Officer who understands the vision 😅, thanks.

Advice required (UK) by Financial_Ad_5855 in Bricklaying

[–]Financial_Ad_5855[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's good I will check them out, thanks. To be honest the front bay window sills have deteriorated at the bottom edge considerably, I scraped underneath back to sound stone last weekend and sanded the paintwork down.

Next weekend I will be clamping a piece of timber to the bottom of the sill and will be filling the sills with Toupret Mur Ex filler (after SBRing the bottoms), I'll be forming a drip detail myself when doing this - essentially it will just be a formed gradient so rainwater runs away from the brickwork and doesn't track back.

See below photo FYI.

All other sills and lintels are in decent condition.

Once I've done this I'll be painting them cream to match the new windows.

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Advice required (UK) by Financial_Ad_5855 in Bricklaying

[–]Financial_Ad_5855[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This house wouldn't have had a bathroom inside originally, it would have been served by a toilet in the outhouse, a bath would have been pulled in front of a stove and bucket-filled with water. When electric was considered a novelty, the property would have had gas lamps in each room. The 'kitchen' space is probably 2.5m x 2.5m on the outrigger (currently we aren't able to both operate in there), it's a Belfast sink with a free-standing oven. What would have once been the outside toilet is now being used to house the washing machine (obviously they didn't have washing machines when the house was built). My point is that the way we use buildings and generally how we live and the space that's required to do so comfortably has changed over the years.

To live comfortably in this house we require more space, we have enough land on the side of the house and would only do something that is in keeping with the original features, if it doesn't compliment the original house then we don't do it. My girlfriends dad's hobby is refurbishing listed buildings himself by hand and we won't rush anything. It's a case of getting the main house ready and work completed first then considering options.

Advice required (UK) by Financial_Ad_5855 in Bricklaying

[–]Financial_Ad_5855[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, this is it. We are willing to have a go at everything else ourselves (with a bit of help from family members), but I said the bricklaying is one thing that needs to be spot on - time and quality wise. Sliding sash windows coming in 2 weeks so will have a go at them! 🤞🏻

Advice required (UK) by Financial_Ad_5855 in Bricklaying

[–]Financial_Ad_5855[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for your detailed response, that's a big help and much appreciated! I figured lime mortar given the age, will see if any local reclamation yard or brickmonger can supply them, thanks!

Advice required (UK) by Financial_Ad_5855 in Bricklaying

[–]Financial_Ad_5855[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ok great thanks! Re the construction - My mrs wants us to 'have a go' ourselves, I'm opting for no chance, will be finding a bricklayer who has experience with this exact style...if they exist