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Lime render the rear and one gable end of house
We’ve now got nearly all the major internal work done on our old house (just the roof insulation left), so next year our attention turns to the outside. We’re planning to lime render the rear and one gable end, as the bricks there are blown from removal of cement render.
One of the first jobs we had done when we moved in was to install a soakaway and connect all the downpipes to it. The intention was also to add French drains all the way around to help channel water away from the brickwork.
However, instead of French drains, the builders put in that egg box-type plastic membrane around the foot of the house. My concern is that while it might divert surface water, it could also be trapping moisture against the bricks. We’ve got moss and damp patches forming (as you’ll see in the photos). Internally everything seems good so far—since the lime replastering this spring—but I’m more worried about the long-term condition of the external brickwork.
I’ve read very mixed opinions on whether French drains are a good solution for old buildings—especially ones in a dip like ours. We don’t get flooding, but the ground naturally slopes towards the walls, and we can’t easily change the levels.
So I’d really appreciate thoughts from anyone who’s dealt with similar conditions:
• Is removing that membrane the right call?
• Would a proper French drain help or hinder in this situation?
• Are there better alternatives for managing water runoff around old brickwork?
Thanks in advance—keen to get it right before we start the lime rendering!
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13 Replies
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What did you use for insulation as I’m taking on the task next year to insulate our old victorian property and improve its thermal efficiency.
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we have just used a lime insulating plaster. I’m still in two minds whether to wood fibre externally or just lime insulation external render. My current oil consumption is pushing me to the former if we can afford it
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The eggshell membrane allows for airflow behind it so assuming it’s installed correct way around it shouldn’t be doing any harm
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that was their logic. But walls are damp externally and getting green. Maybe it’s nothing to worry about but it didn’t feel right.
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Following as similar ground situation. But firstly, could something be dripping on to bricks from above?
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doesn’t appear to be. Have had no guttering done, and I’ve had a look in recent weeks during some big downpours and nothing seems to be. The damp and increasingly growing green tinge and moss is also just around the bottom and along the whole length of walls.
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Also following this post as we have a French drain by the side of our extension which needs redoing as the ground is sodden, causing any water that goes down the drain to it, to back all the way up the pipe and it then overflows out the pipe
Have a feeling it may not have been done properly but it’s a job for the new year.
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What’s eggshell membrane? I’ve searched the phrase and all I get is the use of the membrane inside eggshells used as a medical supplement!
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Water gets behind the membrane and can’t escape. Wrong product for that location.
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I agree with Jonah Jay…..you should not put any type of membrane against the wall, whether its outside or inside!
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I’d be pulling up that membrane. Where is the internal floor level compared to external? And solid or suspended floors?
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You could have created a moat around the house. French drains can do the same
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Do you have a back garden to do a crate system for all your down pipes ? Or get civil engineer drainage company to look for you re outside & give you options especially as you say it is ground level. We found our gutters although draining ( cleaned not backing up ) , we’re just blocked v old so we had one area renewed and it’s lovely to see all the water drain away. Works well now. But we have the garden to do this. But I did use civil engineer company ( they do our STP etc and locally know geology of ground).
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