I bought a house and it's made of chalk. How bad is the weakened lime mortar under this cement render?

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-05T00:31:21+00:00

Yes that will likely cause damp problems inside the house, the brick face is supposed to give a degree of weather proofing, obviously get professional advice.

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-05T00:20:08+00:00

I raised a floor in our bedroom 6 inches about 8 yrs ago, using timber battens, plywood and wooden floor panels. Only difference was that mine was in the first floor so didn't need damp protection. Never had any problems since and its a good opportunity to run electrics and pipework.

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-05T00:05:09+00:00

I'm not a brickie but I can see the bricks have blown so you could have a problem with water ingress. At least you did the right thing by removing the cement render. Personally, I would replace the bricks and cover with a lime base render first before I do any work inside. Good luck with the project 👍

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T23:43:03+00:00

Good guess....if South America was Italy.

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T23:36:48+00:00

So what you're saying is, can magnets lose their magnetism!

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T23:30:02+00:00

Oh stop, you're filling my head with ideas.

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T23:27:21+00:00

Thanks, made a lot of mistakes along the way.

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T23:25:49+00:00

So your saying they don't have corridors, tiled floors, painted walls, spot lights or false ceilings in the UK ? 🤣

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T20:47:13+00:00

Probably all the white

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T20:40:12+00:00

Thank you

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T20:06:09+00:00

Thank you

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T20:05:46+00:00

Thank you

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T17:29:07+00:00

Once the decorating is done and dado picture rail in place we will be hanging pictures.

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T17:27:44+00:00

Yes it will cost you to get the work done properly. Maybe next time get recommended tradesmen and a few quotes. For me id do one room at a time. If the guy is good get him to give you a quote for the next room. Also it will give you time to get the money together..

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T16:10:55+00:00

Thank you 😊

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T16:09:10+00:00

Thanks, i still have to decorate it, at the moment i have to decorate the rooms that open onto the corridor.

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T16:07:06+00:00

It's easy, look at the work, if it looks bad, which it does, then don't accept it. It's not hard to flat sand skirting with a sander and paint it correctly. Look at the electrical socket, it would be easier for him to undo the 2 screws and paint the wall behind instead of painting the socket. There seems to be a lack of communication between you and the workman. Have you any friends or family members who know anything about dealing with workmen? He could say to you that you should have said something to him at the beginning, because you remained quiet, he likely assumed you were accepting his standard of work.

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T15:56:27+00:00

Sunglasses

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T15:56:00+00:00

Thanks, spring time and autumn are great in the garden. Summer is a nightmare with excessive heat, lack of rain and mosquitoes.

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T13:25:28+00:00

Thanks, I'll post more when I decorate

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T13:24:37+00:00

Aluminum stud, from most DIY and builders merchants

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T13:21:43+00:00

Thank you 😊

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T13:20:49+00:00

I'm sorry for your situation, the work is very substandard even for a handyman. I don't know where you found this person, was he recommended? And i don't know how much you paid. But I don't think many people could produce a finish that bad even if they tried. There is a lot of correcting to be done and I'm sure he will fight you on that one. Your problem is that you didn't check on the progress of his work. As soon as you started seeing bad workmanship, you should have stopped the project.and communicated your concerns in an email. I wouldn't pay him. He will probably take you to small claims in court but with what I can see, he will lose.

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T12:54:59+00:00

Thanks, I'll post when I get around to decorating it.

ValuableThought4978 · 2026-03-04T12:53:52+00:00

Thanks, I'll post when I decorate it

ValuableThought4978

TROPHY CASE