We saved our collapsing wall - ourfrenchrenovation - Our French Renovation, The Good LIfe

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Tradition skills such as lime mortaring can take many years to perfect. There is absolutely no argument in that, so could two DIY novices that only one year ago had virtually zero skills take on the task of saving a wall on the brink of collapse?

It was important that this wall had to look good as well prevent the roof from tumbling down on those below whilst they sleep.

The importance of Lime Mortar is three fold. It allows a wall to breathe throughout the seasons, letting moisture and damp evaporate. The Mortar is flexible, meaning it can expand and contract as it vents moisture, it can shift and slide with slight land movements, as well as temperature fluctuations etc. Lime mortar acts as a sponge soaking up water, acting as a vapor barrier, preventing water ingress into stones. When water gets into stones and freezes, it will crack and shatter. Soft lime mortar can re-seal gaps where-as cement cannot.

We knew our wall was in bad condition, so we chose to apply a thick coat of mortar to leave just the crests of the stones showing. The wall is far from flat and we wanted to hang pictures, if we left every stone exposed that would have been more difficult.

Breaking down each task, I don't think there was anything to frighten off anyone from attempting such a job as this apart from the massive amount of hard manual labor. We shifted tons of rubble! Our rubble mountain is huge! Up and down stairs for day after day! It will take days to dust our house as a result.

For our efforts, we have a immensely solid and safe wall. The wooden beams in the roof are rock-solid once more, the ants, bees and pine martin can't get in, plus we can't see daylight through the wall. Everything is right in the world.

Five weeks ago we didn't know we had a problem, just a radiator in need of shifting and some horrid 1970's wallpaper needing stripping. Four weeks ago, after removing the plaster and a major storm, we realized we had serious structural problems.

After 3 days of hard graft we are feeling pretty smug. We are nowhere near close to rectifying the issue, but we now know it's all totally under control, cheap to fix and even enjoyable to repair.

Music from #InAudio:
Cinematic Adventure by Infraction [No Copyright Music] / Epic Motivational.


#renovation #france #frenchrenovation