Ashandiamo

Conor, Many thanks. Would I getaway with running the doc/rpm between the block and stone because if I have it under the coping and try to run it down the outside of the stone, it would obviously hide the stone that I’ll want exposed??? Forgive me if I’m being stupid here and missing the obvious. I have catered for the gravel/drain etc. Thanks Andy

This will no doubt be a silly question but if you don’t ask, you don’t learn. Can anyone advise on the best way to stop damp reaching the block wall shown on the attached, very very rough sketch, please 😀 The block will be faced with natural stone and an adjoining terraced area will butt against the stone. The terraced area will be planted up and moisture will be present at all times. The block will eventually become a wall for a car port but just trying to prevent dampness seeping through. Would a DPC membrane sheet between the block and the stone wall work or am I best putting the sheet over the stone wall and cutting it away to expose the stone that will be visible? I’m maybe barking up the wrong tree and there is a better and simpler way of preventing the damp reaching the block? Many thanks. 👍 Andy

Just an update on the floor saga. The company that’s laying the finished flooring removed the hygrometers which were reading 83% although the highest they’d been were 87 and 88%. They are still saying it’s too wet however the company that laid the screed also visited yesterday and used a Tramex Encounter 4 moisture tester. They took numerous readings which all gave readings of less than 2%. Not sure how it works but the two systems must work on different scales. So now I’ve got the Screeding company insistent it’s dry for LVT flooring and the finished flooring company saying it’s not - aghhh! ? Will need to try and progress the calcium carbide test somehow and also, if the screeding company are so confident of their figures, will they accept liability if we have issues with flooring after it’s laid, if they will that will definitely need to be in writing. ? Ahhh - the saga continues. thanks again.

Good point about the meters being calibrated, will need to confirm that. Ian, thanks for the info regarding the calcium carbide test, never knew about that being an option so definitely one I’ll progress. Will post an update with the outcome once I know what it is. Many thanks

Just wondered if anyone can offer any advice regarding our floor screed and it apparently not drying. The screed, which I believe is about 60mm anhydride, although I can’t lay my hand on the exact spec at this time, was laid in October 2018. The contractor eventually returned around January and buffed it to remove the laitance film. There was a delay with the UFH and it eventually went on at the start of February this year. The majority of the ground floor will be LVT flooring. The flooring contractor came out around the start of March and the RH readings, which were taken with a digital Hygrometer were off the scale. He then had them buffed once again with a copper pad in the hope this would help. He returned at the start of April and the readings were both 90% RH. Since then we’ve cranked the UFH heating right up, being carefully not to crack the slab, and had all the doors and windows open but it seems it’s made no difference as the Hygrometer’s are back down. They are due to be lifted tomorrow afternoon and are already reading 86% and I expect they’ll go higher. It seems all the heat and ventilation has made no difference and it’s starting to feel like we’ve a house which isn’t fit for purpose. About to enter ‘discussions’ with the contractor that laid the anhydride screed although, call me cynical, but I expect the response to be - we’ve never had this before! Can anyone please shed light on where we go from here. We’ve built our dream home and although it’s almost finished we have no prospect of moving in as we can’t get flooring down. Has anyone used the liquid DPM products or membranes to get round a similar problem and if so has it been successful? Many thanks.

Many thanks for all your replies and advice. Will discuss the EPC aspect with the builder and see if there’s any way we can get in before the deadline. I did wonder if there was any way that I could have the system installed on the shed and get it commissioned as a stand-alone item separate from the house, the fact that the power comes into the shed but guess, because it was all part of the same planning application, that this may not be an option. Prodave, for your info we are building in Angus a few miles north of Dundee, some distance away from you by the look of it. Thanks again.

Just looking for some advice as I’m new to this forum and the whole building game. After a long battle we have finally commenced construction on our new build here in Scotland. Due to several factors we have a main contractor undertaking the build. Going down the ASHP road and elected to put solar PV panels on our shed which is adjacent to the house. Our contractor has indicated a scheduled completion date for beginning of May 2019 and I’ve no reason to doubt that. Where I’m confused slightly is regarding the FIT and RHI payments. I’ve recently read that some payments are ending in April 2019. Am I right in saying that the RHI for the ASHP is carrying on so we’re ok with that? Is it just the FIT for the solar PV that’s ending? If it’s the FIT for the solar PV that’s ending I’m wondering if I could get the system on the shed commissioned before the house is complete? The electricity supply and meter for the house is located in the shed and will be remaining there. Hopefully I’ve provided enough information, any advice and guidance will be very much appreciated. Many thanks Andy