brickwork All manner of questions and solutions to problems and issues surrounding the subject of brickwork, blockwork and stonework

[sggraham]

hi i have a single brick extention for a kitchen.i want to insulate it inside and out and then plaster it,any ideas? oh and yes i have black mould on walls

[stoneyboy]

sggraham,
The existing brickwork will be fine for the outer leaf of a cavity wall. You will need to form an inner leaf and ventilate the cavity between the two walls. Fitting insulation direct onto the exisiting wall will not work.
end

[sggraham]

thanks stoneyboy for your reply could you give me a bit more info on what i should do?i live in holland and dutch builders are a bit difficult to get any sense from :on the inside wall i was thinking of puttiing battons on it with insulation then plasterboarding it then plastering or am i being stupid?

[stoneyboy]

sggraham,
Not sure what would be done in Holland but you will need to reverse the usual building process (because you are building the inner wall last) so the section through your modified wall would be outer brick, cavity with ties, breathable membrane, studding incorporating insulation, plasterboard. Somehow you must make provision for any condensation to go outwards (not inwards) and effective sealing of the perimeter of the inner wall - these will be dictated by the existing floor/ceiling.
Putting battens direct on the wall as you suggest will lead to horrendous damp problems and the lower wall will be wet and rotting in a short time.
end

[the specialist]

Follow stoneyboy - but put a vapour barrier over the complete stud wall before plasterboarding. This will prevent moisture entering your stud wall and rotting your timbers. Then all you need to do is control the level of humidity in the kitchen by providing adequate heat and ventilation.

[sggraham]

ok thanks for your replys.so can i on the inside of my wall put polythene,insulation,vapour board and then plaster?

[the specialist]

Yes you can. just remeber what you have to achieve is a dry environment for your stud wall. Protecting it from both sides is ok. You should vent the cavity from outside if possible. Make sure you control the internal environment after occupation otherwise it will appear damp from moisture trying to escape.

Good luck.

Aidan

[TheDoctor5]

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