original flagstone flooring

[kath_s]

I've just had the building survey back on my new home and it says that there's no damp-proof membrane under the flagstone flooring. The report recommends taking the floor up and replacing with concrete - are there any alternatives? I'd like to keep the flagstones if possible.

[raysparx1]

Hi Kath, no reason at all why you cant keep the flagstones, have them taken up, have them marked first so they can go back in the same positions, have the floor dug down, membrane put in, then a screed, get the builder to then put polystyrene down or underfloor heating then have the flags relayed, you must keep them if you can, we lose far to many original features in properties, just have a chat with agood local builder, good luck, Ray

[jake-the-peg]

You say "original" but you also say "New home" Is this an old house by any chance?

If so the house itself is likely not to have damp proofing. Old houses with lime mortars work totally differently with respect to damp and unfortunately there's a tendancy for surveyors to fly in wielding a damp meter and recommend covering everything with concrete doing untold damage and making the problem a hundred time worse. He's probably told you there's woodworm too

If this is an old building get in touch wih SPAB (www.spab.org.uk) and get a surveyor who is actually experienced with period buildings. (No surveyor who knows the first thing about period houses would recommend you used concrete in this way)

If this is a modern brick built house then ignore me.