DIYbanter - View Single Post

[email protected]

wrote:
Weatherlawyer wrote:
wrote:

The existing bricks (located between the foundations and the newly laid
engineering bricks) are slightly damp; so, I've opted for a 5:1 mix
plus a waterproofer.
Now, 2 days after laying the first 3 rows, the mortar used for the
engineering bricks still appears to be slightly damp and rather weak.

mortar takes a month to get its full strength up. 5:1 is more than
strong enough. I take it youre using all new bricks, not salvo old
ones. If youre using old you need a different mortar altogether.

With it being slightly damp I'd say you have to find the reason for the
damp.

These are bricks located underneath the concrete slab and in direct
contact with the earth on the sides and the foundations underneath (I
can't see it, but I assume and hope there must be some kind of
foundations somewhere under those slightly damp bricks).

I certainly wouldnt assume that. A lot of 19th century houses wrere
built with sod all in the way of foundations.

The house is rather old and I would rather prefer not to go down to the
foundations to resolve the "damp problem"...and anyhow, the damp
wouldn't affect the living area as I am using 3 courses of engineering
bricks to stop any rising damp from underneath.

So is there a damp problem or not? I'm not clear. The bricks in the
soil will of course be damp, but this wont normally transfer itself to
the living area. Think more explaantion is needed.

BTW one row of engineering bricks is more usual as a dpc.

NT