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| Thread ID: 76379 | 2007-01-30 13:02:00 | Whitewash - For walls, not IT businesses | Laura (43) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 520769 | 2007-02-02 12:08:00 | Another link for you Laura: www.oldhouseweb.com |
zqwerty (97) | ||
| 520770 | 2007-02-03 03:42:00 | That's a beauty, zqwerty. Exploring the categories shows repair/maintenance options for so many types of buildings that it's worth a look for anyone either contemplating some DIY or just checking out how things work before calling in tradesmen. Definitely worth bookmarking. |
Laura (43) | ||
| 520771 | 2007-02-03 06:59:00 | To clarify some of the above Laura, and anyone else who's interested. I have stated you want a water repellent rather than a waterproofer, the repellent must be able to transmit vapour but not permit the entry of (excessive) moisture, i.e. it can breathe. Most repellents will allow the transmission of vapour and some (liquid) moisture out, but inhibit its progress in. If you were to apply a waterproofing, or tanking, compound instead of a repellent, the tendency will be to trap internally sourced moisture and moisture that does ingress from the exterior (all houses no matter how well sealed will allow moisture entry, if not outright leaks). The trick is to encourage that moisture out again by way of drainage or transport as vapour (primarily drying and ventilation) and not providing situations where condensation will occur, especially at the interior face and internal faces (if a cavity is present) of walls, roofs and floors. The make up of the walls has a major bearing on what moisture issues may arise and how to treat them. The porosity of the masonry (stone in your case) is one such factor. Brick, concrete block and Oamaru stone are all fairly porous, the brick and stone being quite variable in this respect and therefore will require a specific remedy to suit, if there is an issue. Be a little wary of the terms used in offshore literature and also be aware that geographical and weather conditions and construction methods and materials in which the advice is given are often considerably different. Central Otago though, does have similar weather conditions to many North American locales, for e.g. |
Murray P (44) | ||
| 520772 | 2007-02-03 07:48:00 | Hhmmm... Some more good points. Thanks, Murray. Factors for me to analyse - The stone is Central Otago schist, which I assume is quite porous, being built up of hard & soft layers. The exterior walls are a good 1foot/30cm thick - big rough chunky rocks, not those skinny layers used for facimg only nowadays, It was built by craftsmen who'd earlier worked on the huge piers (still standing) of the old Alexandra bridge, I'm told. Mortar is not obvious.They will have used small packing stones inside & kept that to a minimum. So yes, probably fairly porous. On the plus side - the rainfall is one of NZ's lowest & the humidity practically non-existent.. Cold means snow & ice, Hot means dry & sizzling. And the iron roof, which I believe is original. has barely any paint left now, but still had no rust when last checked 5 years ago.. |
Laura (43) | ||
| 520773 | 2007-02-03 09:04:00 | Absence of mortar and thickness of the walls will probably mean a repellent is not necessary. The relatively loose fit between stones and courses will, I imagine allow quite good drainage, a rough surface also provides a multitude of drip edges (something lacking from the face of a smooth faced monolithic cladding for e.g. courser/rougher is better in that respect). If there is no evidence of moisture on the interior (moisture testing can confirm if your uncertain) a good mineral coating or wash should be sufficient. Remember, it does not want to be an impervious coating, unless you like the effect provided by rivulets of water running down the walls. |
Murray P (44) | ||
| 520774 | 2007-02-03 10:35:00 | Absence of mortar and thickness of the walls will probably mean a repellent is not necessary. Rather: Absence of mortar combined with the thickness of the walls..blah blah blah.... |
Murray P (44) | ||
| 520775 | 2007-02-03 10:48:00 | Yes, I love those thick walls. They're truly impressive. The old fellers built to last, all right. The whole place is tiny by today's housing standards, but will be there long after today's "leaky houses" have disappeared. Every so often, it helps to have a good lean against an old stone wall and think of the pioneers... |
Laura (43) | ||
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