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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

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General: How do I tell?

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorkrishna
    • CommentTimeApr 30th 2008
     
    1. How do I tell if the plaster/render is lime based? House built in the late 1920s.

    2. How do I tell where the damp proof course is? Suspended timber floors. Air bricks are level with the joists. I wanted to move them down one or two courses to make it easier to make floor airtight and insulate.
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeApr 30th 2008
     
    1 try taking a lump off and see if there is any horse hair in it, if there is then it is lime, if there are lots of cracks in it it is not!

    2 It is OK to move the air bricks down. The dpc will be where the bricks stop looking a bit green, damp or discoloured. What are the walls made of?
  3.  
    Posted By: tonytry taking a lump off and see if there is any horse hair in it, if there is then it is lime, if there are lots of cracks in it it is not!


    This is not a reliable indicator (presence or absence of cracks). I have most certainly got lime-based plaster in my house and it most certainly has both horsehair and cracks in it - the cracks being due to various causes. Lime-based plasters do not have an unlimited life - especially if on wooden lath.

    Paul in Montreal.
  4.  
    A fair indicator is hardness, Lime renders tend to be softer than cement ones, though not always.

    Also most cement renders are grey in colour. Lime renders vary depending on the aggregate mixed with them. Often White, black or brown.

    Finally porosity. Cement renders tend to be less porus and will not usually absorb water as readilly as lime.
    • CommentAuthorkrishna
    • CommentTimeMay 1st 2008
     
    Posted By: tony1 try taking a lump off and see if there is any horse hair in it, if there is then it is lime, if there are lots of cracks in it it is not!

    2 It is OK to move the air bricks down. The dpc will be where the bricks stop looking a bit green, damp or discoloured. What are the walls made of?


    I'll check the plaster tomorrow. I think there may be a mix. If the existing plaster or external render is cement based, I assume there is no point in using lime plaster?

    Re dpc, the walls are solid brick. None of the bricks look green, damp or discoloured, at least none of those above ground.

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