13th August 2010: Week 3 Update

This week the scaffolding was erected in preparation for the roofing work and to facilitate the window replacement. The two Scaffolders were very considerate and courteous to the resident who was at home the day the scaffolding was erected.

The roof works require the removal of the existing slating, battening and felt to install the insulation board between the rafters.

This work is obviously weather sensitive as would be any domestic re-roofing project. Installing the insulation from the outside was chosen to avoid the major disruption that would occur with the removal and reinstatement of the existing internal sloping and horizontal ceilings.

During this operation the in-roof PV panels are to be installed.

The existing windows were replaced this week with the new high performance units as can be seen from the attached photos. With the new windows in place the installation of the Spacetherm wall boarding can commence, this is likely to be a relatively slow process requiring careful handling to keep dust levels to a minimum.

6th August 2010: Week 2 Update

This week like last week has been productive.

The existing porch was demolished on Wednesday together with the breaking out of a 250mm wide strip of the concrete hardstanding to the rear and side elevations. The removal of the concrete being required to facilitate the installation of the external insulation below ground level. The arising debris was also removed from site on the day. We had been mindful of the noise and potential disturbance these works would cause and the plan to limit this to a single day was achieved.


The new WC pan and cistern was installed at the beginning of the week, as anticipated the existing pan broke when it was removed. The WC ceiling has been removed and the new insulation boarding installed. This has now been re-boarded and the drylining finish applied


The plumber continued with the installation of the pipe work for the Thermal Reflections system, the routing of the pipe work being chosen to minimise the disturbance to the resident as well providing easy access for future maintenance. The existing gravity hot water cylinder has been replaced with the new improved pressurized version. This was achieved within a working day ensuring that the resident’s hot water supply was not compromised.

The existing cylinder cupboard was adapted to accommodate the new larger unit. The resident has expressed some concern at the apparent loss of storage space; we have reassured her that when the plumbing works are fully completed we shall be installing slatted shelving.


Preparatory works have been undertaken to the under stairs cupboard ready to receive the ground floor heating manifold. The area has suffered from damp issues which we have attributed to moisture rising up through the wall finishings, to mitigate this a narrow band of plaster has been removed to break the pathway for this rising moisture. We anticipate that this, along with background heating from the manifold and installing ventilation grills, will greatly improve the situation.

The laminate flooring to the dining room has been lifted and set aside for reuse; an inspection will be made next week to ascertain the condition of the existing timber floor construction.

It is worth noting that as expected a fair amount of time is spent cleaning and tidying up. Whilst we cannot achieve a dust free result every effort is being made.

4th August 2010: Week 2 Update

A site visit by CEN on the Wednesday of week 2 saw the successful demolition of the porch to make way for the new sun trap – a highly glazed porch to add solar gain and natural daylighting to the property.


The new hot water cylinder and upstairs pipework was also being installed.

The resident was getting on well with the workmen and seemed pretty happy providing dust was kept to minimal levels and that doors remained closed to prevent dust getting inside the house.

30th July 2010: Week 1 Update

All went well during week 1 with the majority of the works scheduled whilst the resident was away completed.

The removal of the sink area kitchen units exposed patches of damp plasterwork. Collective opinion is that this is a result of previous repairs being carried out using “carlite” plaster material, which is hygroscopic and attracts moisture. The defective plaster was removed and repairs undertaken.


The new raised flooring under the kitchen units was installed and the units refitted. The electrical 1st fix was also completed for the “back up” plinth heater which is to be fitted. Reinstatement of the splash back wall tiling was carried as well.

The “lean to” cupboard door was removed and the opening blocked up, this now enables the external porch to be demolished.


The bathroom ceiling was removed and the new insulation boarding installed. This has now been re-boarded ready for a drylining finish to be applied.

We had programmed for the WC to be raised during this first week, but unfortunately the existing pan has been bedded in mortar. Whilst the bedding in of WC’s pans is not uncommon, it was not expected. Even with the greatest of care the pan is likely to break when removed. As a result a new pan has been ordered and the raising of the WC has been postponed till next week.


The plumber and electrician were in attendance on Thursday, the kitchen sink was re-plumbed and the 1st floor bedroom radiators hung in position. The plumber also assessed the practicalities involved in installing the new pipe work and under floor heating manifold. Generally we have established routes for the new pipe work that will cause the least disruption.

The electrician disconnected the external porch as well as the storage heaters which have now been removed.

About midday on Friday we embarked on a mass clean up in readiness for the resident’s return. Whilst the property was left in good order the inevitable builder’s dust is still settling.

Rod Selby
Jenner Contractors