I popped the kettle on and took a look at the gas meter, to see how fast the dial spins each time I make a cup of tea. The answer is faster than expected!
Yearly archives: 2017
25 posts
One of the main reasons for this were some cold air draughts coming in through holes in the kitchen wall. How can there be holes in the kitchen wall? They were hidden behind the fridge and washing machine. The first was a large one, left in place from a previous tumble drier and half-heartedly filled with rags by a previous owner. The others were left over from the current and previous waste pipes of the kitchen sink.
An interesting thing that I was made aware of recently, is that the natural gas piped into our homes produces a surprising amount of water vapour when it combusts.
With modern boilers, this is not a problem since they are well sealed and vented via flues to the outside. However, where there are gas fires, gas hobs or gas ovens, these might contribute to the total amount of moisture in the house, thus raising the humidity & potential for condensation.
Traditional methods such as lime plastering are often the preserve of buildings deemed to be of historical importance, yet it seems to have been forgotten that more modest properties such as the ubiquitous Victorian terrace were also built with solid walls, lime plaster and a need to ‘breathe’. The designers and craftsmen who built them were creating a carefully balanced internal climate to ensure occupant comfort, avoidance of damp & protection of the fabric of the building and its structural integrity.
Energy-retrofitting the traditional hygrothermal envelope, preparation, mixing and casting hemp-lime bio-aggregate onto existing masonry. Materials: Tradical PF70 lime binder and East Yorkshire construction-grade hemp shiv. Workshop Peer to peer on-site training, structured tuition and open format learning. When: Monday 20th – Wednesday 22nd November 2017, 10 – 5 pm Where: Bristol Cost: £240 Open […]
Previous surveys were undertaken by preservation and treatment companies have diagnosed rising damp then recommended a chemical damp proof course and cement render. Yet the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors describes ‘rising damp’ as a myth. Following an introduction from the Building Management Company, Simon James Lewis, Neighbourhood Construction CIC has been invited to ascertain the probable causes of a number of moisture-related symptoms being experienced at the property.
Energy-retrofitting the traditional hygrothermal envelope. Preparation and application of lining paper, emulsion, distemper, primer, undercoat and gloss.
Materials: Beeline glue size, LAP wallpaper paste and 1400 grade lining paper. Earthborn Clay emulsion paint and Black Fryers Oil based primer, undercoat and high gloss.
Having recently moved into a two-story Victorian terraced house the homeowner was keen to embark on a comprehensive, room by room refurbishment. Concerned that the old wiring could make the house not only unsafe to live in, but more importantly unsafe to work on. Additionally, a leaky roof in the bathroom […]
Last week David attended a workshop on energy-retrofitting the traditional hygrothermal envelope. This included preparation, mixing and casting bio-aggregate mixture of hemp and lime onto existing masonry. The workshop, run by Neighbourhood Construction, taught the installation through kinaesthetic learning, a process that worked very well in understanding all the elements of delivering a […]
The hot and cold pipes ran around the study, twice… before heading up three floors. Smitten by the fittings, it was only after moving in that it was discovered how long it took to get lukewarm water to the upstairs bathroom. The source of this symptom was two floors below. The boiler was […]
Functioning doors and windows, managing and mitigating moisture whilst reducing the need and consumption of energy. Installation and operation of polycarbonate secondary glazing to windows, vinyl draught seal to doors and efficient use of the foam applicator gun. Polycarbonate secondary glazing, vinyl draught strips and the foam applicator gun. Workshop Peer to peer on-site training, […]
Energy-retrofitting the traditional hygrothermal envelope. Preparation and application of lining paper, emulsion, distemper, primer, undercoat and gloss. Materials: Beeline glue size, LAP wallpaper paste and 1400 grade lining paper. Earthborn Clay emulsion paint and Black Fryers Oil based primer, undercoat and high gloss. Workshops Peer to peer on-site training, structured tuition […]
Energy-retrofitting the traditional hygrothermal envelope. Preparation, mixing and applying lime plaster onto Bio-aggregate – hemp and lime. Materials: Baumit RK38 base-coat with AG01 mesh and Baumit Kalkin Glätt W top-coat lime plaster. Workshops Peer to peer on site training, structured tuition and open format learning. When: Monday 25th – Wednesday 27th […]
Consumption and installation, designing, installing and using functional and efficient systems. Workshop When: Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th August, 10 – 5 pm Where: Bristol Cost: £240 Open day Drop in, take a look and maybe have a go! When: Wednesday 16th August, 1 – 4 pm Where: Bristol Cost: Free Workshop Peer to peer on-site training, practitioner […]
Energy-retrofitting the traditional hygrothermal envelope, preparation, mixing and casting hemp lime bio-aggregate onto existing masonry. Materials: Tradical PF70 lime binder and East Yorkshire construction grade hemp shiv. Workshop Peer to peer on site training, structured tuition and open format learning. When: Monday 21st – Wednesday 23rd August, 10 – 5 pm Where: Bristol […]
Having read a number of publications and white papers on the subject of restoration and conservation of traditionally constructed buildings I understood the significance of vapour permeable, traditional building materials such as lime mortars and lime plasters.
Chasing old walls should be undertaken with hand tools. Installing or replacing electricity and plumbing requires a sympathetic appreciation for the traditional methods of masonry, carpentry, plaster, paper and paint.
I really can’t believe what a difference it has made and wish I’d done it years ago. The first evening after the workshop found me and my partner repeatedly dancing joyfully around the bay exclaiming, ‘it’s even warm over here!’.However, Measuring is simple right? Surely I couldn’t get that bit wrong. Yes, I could!
Energy-retrofitting the traditional hygrothermal envelope. Preparation, mixing and applying lime plaster onto Bio-aggregate – hemp and lime. Materials: Baumit RK38 base-coat with AG01 mesh and Baumit Kalkin Glätt W top-coat lime plaster. Workshops Peer to peer on site training, structured tuition and open format learning. When: Saturday 17th – Sunday 18th June, 10 […]
Energy-retrofitting the traditional hygrothermal envelope, preparation, mixing and casting hemp lime bio-aggregate onto existing masonry. Materials: Tradical PF70 lime binder and East Yorkshire construction grade hemp shiv. Workshop Peer to peer on site training, structured tuition and open format learning. When: Monday 22nd – Wednesday 24th May, 10 – 5pm Where: Bristol Cost: £240 Open day Drop […]
This property presents itself very honestly, unlike so many others it has not been freshly painted prior to being offered for sale and therefore allowed for gaining a good insight into the causes of moisture readings previously taken.
Getting on-board, early adopters looking for a more sympathetic approach to insulating our heritage housing stock with support from Joseph Little Dublin Institute Technology and Bristol City Council Principle Historic Environment Officer.
Consumption and installation, designing, installing and using functional and efficient systems. Workshop When: Monday 6th – Wednesday 8th March, 10 – 5 pm Where: Bristol Cost: £240 Open day Drop in, take a look and maybe have a go! When: Wednesday 8th March, 10 – 5 pm, 1 – 4 pm Where: Bristol Cost: Free […]
Functioning doors and windows, managing and mitigating moisture whilst reducing the need and consumption of energy. Installation and operation of polycarbonate secondary glazing to windows, vinyl draught seal to doors and efficient use of the foam applicator gun. Polycarbonate secondary glazing, vinyl draught strips and the foam applicator gun. Workshop Peer to peer on-site training, […]
Energy-retrofitting the traditional hygrothermal envelope, managing and mitigating moisture problems whilst reducing the need and consumption of energy. Talk Evening talks and social with practitioners sharing stories. When: Tuesday 24th January, 7 – 9pm Where: Portcullis, 3 Wellington Terrace, Bristol BS8 4LE [Map] Cost: Free, booking essencial Open home Drop in, come take a look and maybe […]