Hello Everyone
My partner and I are considering taking on a renovation project where the property will undergo a complete renovation. I mostly have experience with new construction and would like to gain perspective on the scope as well as construction techniques to achieve today's standards in terms of comfort with underfloor heating, etc.
The property is a 70s villa (and I have read many disadvantages of these houses). Below, I am attaching some information from the inspection report as well as some of my own considerations.
Object 1.5-story villa
Facade: wood
Concrete slab on ground
Year built -74
Natural ventilation
Heating: direct-acting electricity, air/air
The roof needs to be replaced as it is from the original construction; the facade also needs to be replaced, along with a total interior renovation.
My initial thought for the interior was to install mechanical exhaust ventilation with exhaust air heat pump, fresh vents, and install building plastic, lay in underfloor heating on the ground floor and heating with radiators on the upper floor.
But from what I have read, damage can occur to the house if you do this due to moisture migration?
The sill is apparently embedded in the slab - does it need to be replaced?
I would gladly welcome some tips on what those of you who are more knowledgeable would have done.
The house has had one owner and is considered well-maintained.
From the inspection:
The house has a foundation with a concrete slab on the ground. Inspection of the construction. A smell test was performed randomly along the baseboards in the residence without any remarks. A sample hole was taken at the lower edge of the exterior wall to the south in the entrance hall. The sill appears to be made of untreated wood. The sill is positioned somewhat below the upper edge of the concrete slab, so it is not possible to see if there is an underlying moisture barrier. The moisture content in the sill was measured at between 16-19%. There is a risk of microbial growth if the relative humidity (RH) in the air exceeds 75%, which corresponds to a moisture content (MC) of about 17% in spruce and pine wood. To ascertain the cause and extent of the elevated moisture levels measured, it is recommended that an in-depth investigation be carried out. Note that the recommendation applies to the entire foundation.
Thanks in advance
My partner and I are considering taking on a renovation project where the property will undergo a complete renovation. I mostly have experience with new construction and would like to gain perspective on the scope as well as construction techniques to achieve today's standards in terms of comfort with underfloor heating, etc.
The property is a 70s villa (and I have read many disadvantages of these houses). Below, I am attaching some information from the inspection report as well as some of my own considerations.
Object 1.5-story villa
Facade: wood
Concrete slab on ground
Year built -74
Natural ventilation
Heating: direct-acting electricity, air/air
The roof needs to be replaced as it is from the original construction; the facade also needs to be replaced, along with a total interior renovation.
My initial thought for the interior was to install mechanical exhaust ventilation with exhaust air heat pump, fresh vents, and install building plastic, lay in underfloor heating on the ground floor and heating with radiators on the upper floor.
But from what I have read, damage can occur to the house if you do this due to moisture migration?
The sill is apparently embedded in the slab - does it need to be replaced?
I would gladly welcome some tips on what those of you who are more knowledgeable would have done.
The house has had one owner and is considered well-maintained.
From the inspection:
The house has a foundation with a concrete slab on the ground. Inspection of the construction. A smell test was performed randomly along the baseboards in the residence without any remarks. A sample hole was taken at the lower edge of the exterior wall to the south in the entrance hall. The sill appears to be made of untreated wood. The sill is positioned somewhat below the upper edge of the concrete slab, so it is not possible to see if there is an underlying moisture barrier. The moisture content in the sill was measured at between 16-19%. There is a risk of microbial growth if the relative humidity (RH) in the air exceeds 75%, which corresponds to a moisture content (MC) of about 17% in spruce and pine wood. To ascertain the cause and extent of the elevated moisture levels measured, it is recommended that an in-depth investigation be carried out. Note that the recommendation applies to the entire foundation.
Thanks in advance
Oh! Are you going to get help or do it yourselves? If you're going to do it, you must really enjoy it. I wouldn't have done it... ;-)
An interesting option if you're looking at mechanical exhaust is this:
https://www.healthyhomes.se/healthbox-3-0
Automatic control based on levels of CO2, humidity, and odor. Automatically reduces to minimum flow when the air is good. Sounds smart, I think.
You don't mention the plumbing, what does it look like? Since it's a complete renovation, it will probably mean a new bathroom and kitchen, so new plumbing will probably follow naturally?
Sometimes bathrooms are renovated, the drain is replaced but it's connected to the old pipes without really knowing their condition.
Regarding the sill, I don't dare to guess. Someone who knows what they're doing should probably have their say.
Good luck!
An interesting option if you're looking at mechanical exhaust is this:
https://www.healthyhomes.se/healthbox-3-0
Automatic control based on levels of CO2, humidity, and odor. Automatically reduces to minimum flow when the air is good. Sounds smart, I think.
You don't mention the plumbing, what does it look like? Since it's a complete renovation, it will probably mean a new bathroom and kitchen, so new plumbing will probably follow naturally?
Sometimes bathrooms are renovated, the drain is replaced but it's connected to the old pipes without really knowing their condition.
Regarding the sill, I don't dare to guess. Someone who knows what they're doing should probably have their say.
Good luck!
Thank you for your reply. We're planning on getting help with the big thingsV Very stable genius said:
thanks for the link, I will check it out
the drainage is the least problem (I've been in the plumbing industry for over 10 years)
what I’m mostly after is what form of construction technique to use and which ones to watch out for.
and that it's a lot of work is another issue
thank you for your reply! appreciated
Yes, it seems like you are going to have to do everything. Regarding construction techniques and the sill, there are probably those who know better here.
Great to have some knowledge of your own (HVAC) too and probably some contacts in construction.
Feel free to make a post here when you've decided how to solve everything.
Great to have some knowledge of your own (HVAC) too and probably some contacts in construction.
Feel free to make a post here when you've decided how to solve everything.