You can always put the plants in pots to retain the beautiful look of the front. Do you have a moisture barrier between the stone and the decorative material on the walls of the Salon? If not, is additional moisture being allowed in because of the stone? Is the drainage pitch correct on the outside? I don't envy you the constant maintenance of the Chateau. You do it with such a positive attitude!
So sorry to see another challenge at the chateau. Looks like you need French drains all around your house. Do you think roots have grown through the drains and blocked them? Are the gutters and drain spots all working? I have a lot of experience with hydrangeas so here are my hints. Fall is the perfect time to transplant hydrangeas. The type you have are macrophyllas, they bloom on old growth. Hydrangea roots grow more horizontal so be sure you dig wider than the plant. If you aren’t able to transplant them for a month you can Root Prune now. Take your shovel and cut the roots in a circle around the plant. This will stimulate new root growth, sort of giving a boost before you do transplant. When you do decide the time is right, dig the new hole first and fill it with water and let it drain. Add root starter to the hole but not fertilizer. The plant is going dormant now so you do not want to encourage new leaves. After removing it from the hole place the hydrangea on a tarp so you can drag it to its new location without damaging the roots. They like a morning sun afternoon shade location. After planting, water throughly, especially before you get a freeze. Some people remove a third of the limbs when they transplant so less demand on the roots. Good luck.
I love your 'it's not the end of the world' mentality, but your drainage issues would drive me to distraction!!! Glad you're up to moving the hydrangea and fuchsia. They are lovely plants...
Just take out the paneling and let the walls breathe, wouldn’t want the wood worm to spread to healthy furniture. Also is the outside render concrete? Could be keeping the moisture in, instead of lime render
Oh I just wanted to cry. There is nothing worse than moisture coming in. At least you know how to take care of the problem. The plants are beautiful maybe you can find another place to put your plants. If it's not one thing, it's something else when it comes to fixing old homes.
I think you are right about the flowers unfortunately. Bugger! How anoink! You can do something like this ‘Once the brickwork has been exposed, rising damp itself can be treated. By using Dryzone Damp-Proof Injection Cream or Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods, a remedial DPC can be injected directly into the masonry to ensure a targeted treatment of the problem’. I copied from google as it explains it better and it means much less invasive digging around the foundation. It’s a suggestion anyway and I think you would be able to do it yourself. Best of luck. Hugs and kisses to Lightening as he’s a beauty in more ways than one and an excellent doggie. Thank you. May you all please take care and stay safe. Louisa. 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️🤩🤩🤩
Have your French drain/gravel/cobbles effect as a pathway around the house and move the garden bed area enough feet away to not affect the drainage, that way you still get to see your lovely plants from the window and the view in approach is still softened.
Plants in pots don’t work as you need to water them. A French drain does work. We had a Pellist dig a trench round the front and side of our house. There had been a concrete trottoir about 20 cms thick around. When the drain was excavated you could see water dribbling from the walls. No foundations on these old houses just straight on the ground. Good luck and ask Billy or Mick what to do🤞🤞🙏🏻🙏🏻❤
If you move the fuchsias and hydrangeas to pots, maybe Michael would allow you to overwinter them in the greenhouse. You could replant them next spring.
Hi Phil, I am sorry to hear about the new and/or persistent leaks. Please, please look up to investigate additional sources of your leaks FIRST. Water is sneaky and will enter from far above and snake its way to any and every lower level! Always start at the top with water leaks. This job will not be an enjoyable experience and will probably take “shed” loads of time, but it will be well worth the effort. I would hate to see you go to the effort of addressing ground level water infiltration without addressing upper level water infiltration first.
Every problem I have had in my house was due to WATER......skylight leaked and resulted in damaged--and moldy--drywall. Chimney flashing leaked resulted in rebuilding chimney surround plus insulation that collapsed due to being wet also stained ceiling. Water heater leaked--poorly placed in closet in center of house. Result living room carpet soaked. And water pipe in kitchen floor that flooded adjacent dining room floor. UGG! Water!
The fuchsias would look lovely as would the Hydrangeas if you can get them out, along the drive. One of the outside walls of my beautiful craft room has all the panelling blown, the wall has now been repointed, so fingers crossed. Much love K🇬🇧❤️❤️
Wow! That’s a big job. At least you have a massive property to replant the Fuschias and Hydrangeas. I guess you’d start removing them first and getting the drainage in before the Morning Salon job
Phil, you are so knowledgeable about Chateau workings! While, it’s disheartening to have to tear out & render, I get the feeling you kind of enjoy the process! You are just the man for the job!❤
With the hydrangeas, you could move them out away from your wall, slope the earth away from the walls to about 4’ out, place a gravel path at the bottom of the slope creating a path by the sunroom and place the hydrangeas on the far side of the path so they both soak up water coming down from the slope below the windows onto the path and still provide a lovely visual outside your windows. You can plant a light ground cover on the slope to hold the soil but not moisture against the building. On the parking side, I would pull the gravel back, creating a grass border and as others have said, then consolidate with a border of planters. If there are French drains installed around the foundation, you will likely have to renew them as they silt over after a period and no longer provide adequate drainage. You will need to pull out the woodwork and treat that whole area for black mold, wood rot and woodworm and check the joists for rot around the room perimeter.
I am so looking forward to a video from Phil saying ( oh it’s a beautiful day and everything’s coming along beautifully) no more woe is me, I live in a Chateau in France and I am so grateful for this opportunity that I will no longer moan and groan .😂😂😢I have never seen a video from Phil that wasn’t doom and gloom. I still have high hopes, maybe next time.
I think the Chateau is more than he can handle. It's way too costly and he's one person. I don't think I would ever buy a chateau sitting on a moat. I feel bad for him I keep watching hoping that things will get done and fixed but everything seems to just fall apart even more.
@@mocarra100 absolutely right, one man cannot manage a place that big. These places need a team, that’s how they originally worked with and supported many people. Even a couple alone need help, the moat is icky and adds stress as well. Water and buildings do not belong together
The joys of owning an old and ancient home that’s been altered by many others. It’s always something. My NYC home is nearing 100 years old and the sand they used to mix the concrete the foundation way back then was beach sand not cured so I’ve moisture issues too. I so understand your problems. My home is an attached row house so I just can’t Jack it up and replace the problem without effecting neighbors so I built an addition, hoping to protect it. Sadly as the build went on I found out it was a shotty builder. 😔. Perhaps you can move the hydrangeas about 5 or so feet from the house and get some planters for the Fuchsia to allow drainage and keep the look you enjoy. After correcting the drainage issues.
Phil you always give a positive post even in the challenges of caring for this chateau. I’m glad you will replant the hydrangea and fushia plants. Just remember the morning sun afternoon shade requirements. They are so beautiful. Ground planting will be best as pots take too much time to keep watered in large areas and your busy lifestyle too. Carry on my friend. ❤❤❤
Dig out the plants put a membrane against the wall to stop the ingress put a gravel drain in front of membrane with geotextile fabric in front of gravel and have a small retaining wall to hold it all in place you can then replant the plants. As an extra measure you could seal the lower part of the wall with a clear water sealant for stone walls. now inside leave a 20mm gap behind the internal coverings with ventilation top and bottom for air flow.
With the very wet summer you had it hasn't helped. More woodworm spraying - oh joy! I think a French Drain is the way I would do it. (I'd get that rotten wood pulled out asap)
Please show us the old treadle sewing machine, move it out if the room is damp and put some sewing machine oil [not 3:1 or general oil] on all the moving joints and in the oil holes! These machines are epic, please look after it.
Call in the troops and get a helping hand. So sorry to see this new challenge, I hope it is resolved quickly and easily for you. Always hoping the best for you Phil. BTW I had the same issue and once I dug out against the wall to put in better drainage I gave the walls a really thick coat of water resistant sealant and the issue was resolved and never came back. It's been about 20 years no issues.
I've always heard that you should do your foundation plantings around a house leaving enough space to walk between those and the house, so the air can circulate in there. That seems to work very well around mine. The previous owners of my house took excellent care of it, and I'm reaping the benefits of that! Try moving your fuchsias and hydrangeas just a couple of feet away from the outer walls.
Home ownership means never have a day without spending money and or time fixing something! "Sorry, for all the extra work but it is awesome to see lightning. See you in the next video.
I feel your pain Phil. Our house (in Australia) had garden beds planted along the wall of the house, blocked the drains, and ended up with termites. Gardens out, concrete footpath in, but now the house is sinking in that corner. It's always something, but just keeping on top of the maintenance before it gets worse is the aim year to year. Thanks for bringing your positive attitude to this corner of the web! 💝
It is a bright cheerful room and needs to be fixed before the cold dark days of winter. It might be a more major repair than you can deal with. At least consult a professional to find out how best to proceed. A stitch in time saves nine. Water always seeks the path of least resistance. Good luck Phil🇨🇦❤️
Replant the hydrangea 50cm away from the wall and put a trench along the wall line to allow the stone to dry out your bound to have rising damp with your high water table with a moat,you may need to look at panels unefected bydamp,bathroom panels with glued on moldings would do this .
Phil, watch out for a bad smell in the room and mushroom like fungus appearing through the cracks in the wood. The wood plus the damp could result in dry rot.😊
Yes, it is always something in those old houses. I don't know about drainage pipes, but I think you sound right. It looks like it needs it. Shame about your walls. I really like that room.
Sorry to hear about your issues with your woodwork and water intrusion. We live in an 1885 solid brick house. We have these same issues because someone many years ago decided to paint the house. The brick holds water because it can’t breathe. It’s such a pain and we constantly are having to deal with this problem.
Move the greenery elsewhere loads of places you can put them put some planters by the door and leave it at that. Fix the render once it dries out. Use an attachment that connects to your eavestrough and leads the water outwards onto the gravel. I don't think that connected old containment is helping the issue either I would take that down and move it or just get rid of it if you can't get it out in one piece. Planters if place a bit away from the walls and render look fine outside still give a bit of presence without damage. I think your render outside has been blown for a long time and will have to be fixed. Honfleur's Anna and Philipp had a company come in and redo their render as their property is similar in design to yours without a moat. If you don't want to do it yourself that is. Good luck Phil. I think Lightning agrees ;) even I know the moat has nothing to do with any moisture issue with the home not sure why people keep saying it is. Take some tips from Billy or Mick most likely will know how to create drainage or how to drive eavestrough water away from the building which is most likely the issue. Once the plants are gone and some kind of system in place it should dry itself out.
Phil, sorry you are having problems with your drainage causing your damage, it's always something isn't it? We are going to have to replace our hallway due to water damage and also one of our bathrooms. It's a never-ending story when you have a home or in your case a big Chateau. Best wishes and getting your wall repaired and of course don't forget the woodworms!!!! Kathy USA
So sorry you are having some drainage issues, Phil! Hopefully you will be able to sort them out without too much trouble. It seems Lightning is not to concerned about it. LOL!
Phil, if you put in a permeable pipe next to the wall which would allow water to collect and flow to the drain, could you then cover it in a flagstone which would act as a walkway between the house and a series of planters holding the hydrangeas or whatever colorful plants you'd like; about 5 feet away from the walls of the house?
Love your attitude about it all "smile and suck it up" just do what you know needs to be done. So true in everything in life. You could move the Hydrangeas out a couple of feet away from the wall so that you can get behind them, put a small retaining wall so they don't migrate back to the wall. The Fushia's you can move towards the moat where they can get all the water they need with the sun. Just a couple of thoughts for you. Have a great day
The fuchsias might go well in your stone planters along the drive, if they're a smaller variety ... if possible it could be nice to move the hydrangeas a few feet away from the wall or nearer the water, so you can see them from the salon ... also around winter is a good time to move plants (as you probably know) give them time to get their roots established before spring.
Can install a French drain system with pipe covering/gravel. I've installed one due to a similar issue. Was able to run beside house and bury down about 2 -3 feet. Can aim yours to the moat. Plus it will let you use the gravel going to have to move anyways to fill it up to cover the pipe.
Hi Phil, what a bummer but onwards and upwards… I did have a similar issue with water destroyed floors, lifted them up in fact. Worked its way up the walls also. So I feel your frustration ❤ First thing I did was remove all the furniture and install a dehumidifier. The room needs to dry out. Get the furniture out or it will get mouldy. Take out the wet panels so behind can dry also. Move the plants into any empty containers as a stop gap until you can replant them. This is just another challenge the chateau has thrown. Deep breaths, clear head, dry knickers is what I have been told in trying times😊 Keep smiling, be safe Judith 🦋
I agree with your comment. Transplant the fuschias and Hydrangeas into pots for over-wintering. Get a load of dehumidifiers all around the walls after the rotten woodwork has been removed. This will dry the room out more quickly. French drains going to be needed on both sides. 😀
You could put the plants in a raised bed where they are now. This way there out of the ground yet decorate around the base of the house like before. You can get them as high or low as you like.
I know nothing about drainage but if you’d like to keep the view of the flowers you could always transplant them into large containers in front of the windows maybe?
We had the same problem, not as bad as yours. We found out that there is supposed to be a gap between wall and lawn, i.e., paving. It might cost a bit more than gravel, but it would be less maintenance. 😊
Phil at least it’s the right time of year to replant/move plants so get that done first, hydrangeas need space, perhaps they could go up by the chapel and the fuchsias perhaps could go into the pots along the driveway. Good luck with solving the damp issues, perhaps you could borrow Yanis from Billy 😂
Phil humidity is a problem fyi brico or online retailer have a product we use across the pond helps deal w/ humidity issue look for 'damp rid' pulls humity out of air. some work w/ outlet so it drys faster. You worked so hard on that room. One step at a time.
View of the hydrangea corner. @7:13 The stones on the corner looking upward appear dark areas maybe consider not only from the plants but somewhere higher? I'm sure you have checked this out enough times to know what you are dealing with. Correct drainage is the best start to drying out the room. Rain will be here in no time. Is it possible for a rubberized barrier? In the states this is a paint on product done in basements or the lower portions of the homes in flood zones.
We had a damp problem from next door. We dug out a ditch about 1/2 metre deep, put a plastic liner along our wall to the damp coarse and back filled it with gravel, it worked
Glad to hear you'll move the fuschias and hydrangeas. You can't see them from the morning salon, would be nice to have them out farther from the house. But it does look like you have a lot of digging to do. Does the fireplace work? It might help with the drying out, our woodstove sucks so much moisture out of the air I had to add a humidifier.
I wouldn't have a clue for any advise. I know what we do in Humble Texas but wouldn't work there, although French drains solved my back yard problem. Wonder why they are called French drains? I do know one thing, enjoy your channel and looking forward to the video's of how this is solved. Good luck and carry on yall.
What is your gift from this problem....you can improve the room so you can use it year round and install inside shutters and drapes and maybe do something different that you like better for the bottom panels.
While true nothing should be planted next to the foundation because of water they also drink the water. Check how far out to plant garden beds. Maybe free standing large containers French drains and taring the walls with a water barrier, will help as well as warmth don't put it off water freezing will crack the foundation walls. A bigger problem ahead of you wait.
I can't help but wonder if a lot of the damp is because of the concrete rendering outside of the chateau. It's been a terribly wet year. I know you've talked about it in the past and removing it will be an enormous task. Perhaps it's time to start considering removing it. Maybe do it in smaller sections at a time? I don't envy any of the work ahead of you. Also, what is that panel/box under the window with the slits in the morning salon? I've always wondered what it was and why just that window has it and none of the others do? Cheers!
i wonder if the problem is not caused by the fact that there is concreet on the wall in stead of limemorter? i have seen that being a problem with other chateau !
Please move the furniture away from the walls where the wood worms are. Try to treat the walls and floors for wood worms as soon as possible as it seems like they have been there a while.
Phil what a lotta work. Get rid of all those plants. I’d never buy a place where plants are against the building. The plants hide deterioration so not good. The morning room needs sorting. Why not pay people to do it? You’re making on the channel. Get your followers to give advice. I’m not that clued up in the plant dept. I’ve got to do my house with new kitchen etc. I am not looking forward to that. Hope you get help Phil. Thanks for sharing :))
You can always put the plants in pots to retain the beautiful look of the front. Do you have a moisture barrier between the stone and the decorative material on the walls of the Salon? If not, is additional moisture being allowed in because of the stone? Is the drainage pitch correct on the outside? I don't envy you the constant maintenance of the Chateau. You do it with such a positive attitude!
Totally agree just replant the plants in big pots.
Oh Phil, I do feel for you with the problems inside the chateau
Lightening!!!!!
So sorry to see another challenge at the chateau. Looks like you need French drains all around your house. Do you think roots have grown through the drains and blocked them? Are the gutters and drain spots all working?
I have a lot of experience with hydrangeas so here are my hints. Fall is the perfect time to transplant hydrangeas. The type you have are macrophyllas, they bloom on old growth. Hydrangea roots grow more horizontal so be sure you dig wider than the plant. If you aren’t able to transplant them for a month you can Root Prune now. Take your shovel and cut the roots in a circle around the plant. This will stimulate new root growth, sort of giving a boost before you do transplant. When you do decide the time is right, dig the new hole first and fill it with water and let it drain. Add root starter to the hole but not fertilizer. The plant is going dormant now so you do not want to encourage new leaves. After removing it from the hole place the hydrangea on a tarp so you can drag it to its new location without damaging the roots. They like a morning sun afternoon shade location. After planting, water throughly, especially before you get a freeze. Some people remove a third of the limbs when they transplant so less demand on the roots. Good luck.
I love your 'it's not the end of the world' mentality, but your drainage issues would drive me to distraction!!! Glad you're up to moving the hydrangea and fuchsia. They are lovely plants...
Never a dull moment 😘
Just take out the paneling and let the walls breathe, wouldn’t want the wood worm to spread to healthy furniture. Also is the outside render concrete? Could be keeping the moisture in, instead of lime render
Oh I just wanted to cry. There is nothing worse than moisture coming in. At least you know how to take care of the problem. The plants are beautiful maybe you can find another place to put your plants. If it's not one thing, it's something else when it comes to fixing old homes.
I think you are right about the flowers unfortunately. Bugger! How anoink!
You can do something like this ‘Once the brickwork has been exposed, rising damp itself can be treated. By using Dryzone Damp-Proof Injection Cream or Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods, a remedial DPC can be injected directly into the masonry to ensure a targeted treatment of the problem’. I copied from google as it explains it better and it means much less invasive digging around the foundation. It’s a suggestion anyway and I think you would be able to do it yourself.
Best of luck. Hugs and kisses to Lightening as he’s a beauty in more ways than one and an excellent doggie. Thank you. May you all please take care and stay safe. Louisa. 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️🤩🤩🤩
Have your French drain/gravel/cobbles effect as a pathway around the house and move the garden bed area enough feet away to not affect the drainage, that way you still get to see your lovely plants from the window and the view in approach is still softened.
Plants in pots don’t work as you need to water them. A French drain does work. We had a Pellist dig a trench round the front and side of our house. There had been a concrete trottoir about 20 cms thick around. When the drain was excavated you could see water dribbling from the walls. No foundations on these old houses just straight on the ground. Good luck and ask Billy or Mick what to do🤞🤞🙏🏻🙏🏻❤
If you move the fuchsias and hydrangeas to pots, maybe Michael would allow you to overwinter them in the greenhouse. You could replant them next spring.
Hi Phil, I am sorry to hear about the new and/or persistent leaks. Please, please look up to investigate additional sources of your leaks FIRST. Water is sneaky and will enter from far above and snake its way to any and every lower level! Always start at the top with water leaks. This job will not be an enjoyable experience and will probably take “shed” loads of time, but it will be well worth the effort. I would hate to see you go to the effort of addressing ground level water infiltration without addressing upper level water infiltration first.
Every problem I have had in my house was due to WATER......skylight leaked and resulted in damaged--and moldy--drywall. Chimney flashing leaked resulted in rebuilding chimney surround plus insulation that collapsed due to being wet also stained ceiling. Water heater leaked--poorly placed in closet in center of house. Result living room carpet soaked. And water pipe in kitchen floor that flooded adjacent dining room floor. UGG! Water!
The fuchsias would look lovely as would the Hydrangeas if you can get them out, along the drive. One of the outside walls of my beautiful craft room has all the panelling blown, the wall has now been repointed, so fingers crossed. Much love K🇬🇧❤️❤️
Wow! That’s a big job. At least you have a massive property to replant the Fuschias and Hydrangeas. I guess you’d start removing them first and getting the drainage in before the Morning Salon job
Oh man 😮 there’s a wee bit of work. But you’re right about doing it correctly and saving the plants for else where.
Phil, you are so knowledgeable about Chateau workings! While, it’s disheartening to have to tear out & render, I get the feeling you kind of enjoy the process! You are just the man for the job!❤
With the hydrangeas, you could move them out away from your wall, slope the earth away from the walls to about 4’ out, place a gravel path at the bottom of the slope creating a path by the sunroom and place the hydrangeas on the far side of the path so they both soak up water coming down from the slope below the windows onto the path and still provide a lovely visual outside your windows. You can plant a light ground cover on the slope to hold the soil but not moisture against the building. On the parking side, I would pull the gravel back, creating a grass border and as others have said, then consolidate with a border of planters. If there are French drains installed around the foundation, you will likely have to renew them as they silt over after a period and no longer provide adequate drainage. You will need to pull out the woodwork and treat that whole area for black mold, wood rot and woodworm and check the joists for rot around the room perimeter.
Oh dear that's a pain 😪 good luck 🍀 Phil ☕🍰
Love Sue ❤❤❤🇬🇧❤❤❤
I am so looking forward to a video from Phil saying ( oh it’s a beautiful day and everything’s coming along beautifully) no more woe is me, I live in a Chateau in France and I am so grateful for this opportunity that I will no longer moan and groan .😂😂😢I have never seen a video from Phil that wasn’t doom and gloom. I still have high hopes, maybe next time.
I think the Chateau is more than he can handle. It's way too costly and he's one person. I don't think I would ever buy a chateau sitting on a moat. I feel bad for him I keep watching hoping that things will get done and fixed but everything seems to just fall apart even more.
@@mocarra100 absolutely right, one man cannot manage a place that big. These places need a team, that’s how they originally worked with and supported many people. Even a couple alone need help, the moat is icky and adds stress as well. Water and buildings do not belong together
Aww lovely to see lighting xx
The joys of owning an old and ancient home that’s been altered by many others. It’s always something. My NYC home is nearing 100 years old and the sand they used to mix the concrete the foundation way back then was beach sand not cured so I’ve moisture issues too. I so understand your problems. My home is an attached row house so I just can’t Jack it up and replace the problem without effecting neighbors so I built an addition, hoping to protect it. Sadly as the build went on I found out it was a shotty builder. 😔. Perhaps you can move the hydrangeas about 5 or so feet from the house and get some planters for the Fuchsia to allow drainage and keep the look you enjoy. After correcting the drainage issues.
Phil you always give a positive post even in the challenges of caring for this chateau.
I’m glad you will replant the hydrangea and fushia plants. Just remember the morning sun afternoon shade requirements. They are so beautiful. Ground planting will be best as pots take too much time to keep watered in large areas and your busy lifestyle too. Carry on my friend. ❤❤❤
oh no! all your hard work.
Good attitude. Not the end of the world; just a pain in the backside; gotta suck it up and deal with it.
Flowers are so
Beautiful. 😊
Dig out the plants put a membrane against the wall to stop the ingress put a gravel drain in front of membrane with geotextile fabric in front of gravel and have a small retaining wall to hold it all in place you can then replant the plants. As an extra measure you could seal the lower part of the wall with a clear water sealant for stone walls. now inside leave a 20mm gap behind the internal coverings with ventilation top and bottom for air flow.
God it must be so soul destroying at times, I do feel for you!😢
With the very wet summer you had it hasn't helped. More woodworm spraying - oh joy! I think a French Drain is the way I would do it. (I'd get that rotten wood pulled out asap)
Please show us the old treadle sewing machine, move it out if the room is damp and put some sewing machine oil [not 3:1 or general oil] on all the moving joints and in the oil holes! These machines are epic, please look after it.
Call in the troops and get a helping hand. So sorry to see this new challenge, I hope it is resolved quickly and easily for you. Always hoping the best for you Phil. BTW I had the same issue and once I dug out against the wall to put in better drainage I gave the walls a really thick coat of water resistant sealant and the issue was resolved and never came back. It's been about 20 years no issues.
Hope moving the plant helps keep moisture from your walls !
I've always heard that you should do your foundation plantings around a house leaving enough space to walk between those and the house, so the air can circulate in there. That seems to work very well around mine. The previous owners of my house took excellent care of it, and I'm reaping the benefits of that! Try moving your fuchsias and hydrangeas just a couple of feet away from the outer walls.
Home ownership means never have a day without spending money and or time fixing something! "Sorry, for all the extra work but it is awesome to see lightning. See you in the next video.
I feel your pain Phil. Our house (in Australia) had garden beds planted along the wall of the house, blocked the drains, and ended up with termites. Gardens out, concrete footpath in, but now the house is sinking in that corner. It's always something, but just keeping on top of the maintenance before it gets worse is the aim year to year. Thanks for bringing your positive attitude to this corner of the web! 💝
Sorry to see Morning Salon not in good shape. I suppose that's why you called it Chateau Life.
Hope you will soon get the problem sorted,thank you for sharing 😊
It is a bright cheerful room and needs to be fixed before the cold dark days of winter. It might be a more major repair than you can deal with. At least consult a professional to find out how best to proceed. A stitch in time saves nine. Water always seeks the path of least resistance. Good luck Phil🇨🇦❤️
Replant the hydrangea 50cm away from the wall and put a trench along the wall line to allow the stone to dry out your bound to have rising damp with your high water table with a moat,you may need to look at panels unefected bydamp,bathroom panels with glued on moldings would do this .
Phil, watch out for a bad smell in the room and mushroom like fungus appearing through the cracks in the wood. The wood plus the damp could result in dry rot.😊
U are a tidy man. Love the old singer. Haven't seen one in years.
Yes, it is always something in those old houses. I don't know about drainage pipes, but I think you sound right. It looks like it needs it. Shame about your walls. I really like that room.
Sorry to hear about your issues with your woodwork and water intrusion. We live in an 1885 solid brick house. We have these same issues because someone many years ago decided to paint the house. The brick holds water because it can’t breathe. It’s such a pain and we constantly are having to deal with this problem.
Oh Phil 😢
As you were explaining the issues and problems I just saw Euro signs 😢😢😢😢
Your attitude is brilliant………….. keep on keeping on 👍
good luck with all your endeavors ❤👍
Move the greenery elsewhere loads of places you can put them put some planters by the door and leave it at that. Fix the render once it dries out. Use an attachment that connects to your eavestrough and leads the water outwards onto the gravel. I don't think that connected old containment is helping the issue either I would take that down and move it or just get rid of it if you can't get it out in one piece. Planters if place a bit away from the walls and render look fine outside still give a bit of presence without damage. I think your render outside has been blown for a long time and will have to be fixed. Honfleur's Anna and Philipp had a company come in and redo their render as their property is similar in design to yours without a moat. If you don't want to do it yourself that is. Good luck Phil. I think Lightning agrees ;) even I know the moat has nothing to do with any moisture issue with the home not sure why people keep saying it is. Take some tips from Billy or Mick most likely will know how to create drainage or how to drive eavestrough water away from the building which is most likely the issue. Once the plants are gone and some kind of system in place it should dry itself out.
Doggy time!!!
Phil, sorry you are having problems with your drainage causing your damage, it's always something isn't it? We are going to have to replace our hallway due to water damage and also one of our bathrooms. It's a never-ending story when you have a home or in your case a big Chateau. Best wishes and getting your wall repaired and of course don't forget the woodworms!!!!
Kathy USA
So sorry you are having some drainage issues, Phil! Hopefully you will be able to sort them out without too much trouble. It seems Lightning is not to concerned about it. LOL!
Phil, if you put in a permeable pipe next to the wall which would allow water to collect and flow to the drain, could you then cover it in a flagstone which would act as a walkway between the house and a series of planters holding the hydrangeas or whatever colorful plants you'd like; about 5 feet away from the walls of the house?
A French drain? :P
Love your attitude about it all "smile and suck it up" just do what you know needs to be done. So true in everything in life. You could move the Hydrangeas out a couple of feet away from the wall so that you can get behind them, put a small retaining wall so they don't migrate back to the wall. The Fushia's you can move towards the moat where they can get all the water they need with the sun. Just a couple of thoughts for you. Have a great day
The fuchsias might go well in your stone planters along the drive, if they're a smaller variety ... if possible it could be nice to move the hydrangeas a few feet away from the wall or nearer the water, so you can see them from the salon ... also around winter is a good time to move plants (as you probably know) give them time to get their roots established before spring.
Can install a French drain system with pipe covering/gravel. I've installed one due to a similar issue. Was able to run beside house and bury down about 2 -3 feet. Can aim yours to the moat. Plus it will let you use the gravel going to have to move anyways to fill it up to cover the pipe.
Hi Phil, what a bummer but onwards and upwards… I did have a similar issue with water destroyed floors, lifted them up in fact. Worked its way up the walls also. So I feel your frustration ❤ First thing I did was remove all the furniture and install a dehumidifier. The room needs to dry out. Get the furniture out or it will get mouldy. Take out the wet panels so behind can dry also. Move the plants into any empty containers as a stop gap until you can replant them. This is just another challenge the chateau has thrown. Deep breaths, clear head, dry knickers is what I have been told in trying times😊 Keep smiling, be safe Judith 🦋
I agree with your comment. Transplant the fuschias and Hydrangeas into pots for over-wintering. Get a load of dehumidifiers all around the walls after the rotten woodwork has been removed. This will dry the room out more quickly. French drains going to be needed on both sides. 😀
You could put the plants in a raised bed where they are now. This way there out of the ground yet decorate around the base of the house like before. You can get them as high or low as you like.
I know nothing about drainage but if you’d like to keep the view of the flowers you could always transplant them into large containers in front of the windows maybe?
We had the same problem, not as bad as yours. We found out that there is supposed to be a gap between wall and lawn, i.e., paving. It might cost a bit more than gravel, but it would be less maintenance. 😊
❤ you can always remove the hydrangea and put it in some other place like pathways, etc, ... or you can put them in the big pots
Phil at least it’s the right time of year to replant/move plants so get that done first, hydrangeas need space, perhaps they could go up by the chapel and the fuchsias perhaps could go into the pots along the driveway. Good luck with solving the damp issues, perhaps you could borrow Yanis from Billy 😂
❤wonderful ❤
Keep going 💪 you are doing amazing ❤
BEST
Phil
humidity is a problem fyi brico or online retailer have a product we use across the pond helps deal w/ humidity issue look for 'damp rid' pulls humity out of air. some work w/ outlet so it drys faster. You worked so hard on that room. One step at a time.
This room is beautiful I’m so sad you have to repair the wall
View of the hydrangea corner. @7:13 The stones on the corner looking upward appear dark areas maybe consider not only from the plants but somewhere higher? I'm sure you have checked this out enough times to know what you are dealing with. Correct drainage is the best start to drying out the room. Rain will be here in no time.
Is it possible for a rubberized barrier? In the states this is a paint on product done in basements or the lower portions of the homes in flood zones.
Fuchias will do fine in the back garden or the banks as long as they have partial shade from the worst of the summer sun. Free the fucias! 😉👍
We had a damp problem from next door. We dug out a ditch about 1/2 metre deep, put a plastic liner along our wall to the damp coarse and back filled it with gravel, it worked
once sorted and drains put it plant some things in pots to put in front off
You could move both the fuscias and hydrangeas into pots. They would still be pretty but the soil would not have their roots keeping everything most
Glad to hear you'll move the fuschias and hydrangeas. You can't see them from the morning salon, would be nice to have them out farther from the house. But it does look like you have a lot of digging to do. Does the fireplace work? It might help with the drying out, our woodstove sucks so much moisture out of the air I had to add a humidifier.
Ugh that’s such a pretty room bummer😕
You could move the bushes farther out form the house not up aganst the house.
Love your attitude...could use some positivity myself
Bummer but you can plant them elsewhere. It's always something with homes. Bit that's pretty scary
The plants are beautiful. Maybe you can hang some or put them in large planters?
I wouldn't have a clue for any advise. I know what we do in Humble Texas but wouldn't work there, although French drains solved my back yard problem. Wonder why they are called French drains? I do know one thing, enjoy your channel and looking forward to the video's of how this is solved. Good luck and carry on yall.
What is your gift from this problem....you can improve the room so you can use it year round and install inside shutters and drapes and maybe do something different that you like better for the bottom panels.
Time to call house insurance company...
French drains along the front of the house to the drains
Never ending so sorry 😢
bigger rain gutters, and more downspouts since these seem to get over clogged in downpours. And at the window sills drawing the water away
A home owner of a old house is in a constant state of renovation 😢 But true.😢. I'm sure you will find a way to fix it.
Just remember when you replant the fucsias, they need shade!!!
If you know all this why were the plants installed or why weren't they immediately removed?
While true nothing should be planted next to the foundation because of water they also drink the water. Check how far out to plant garden beds. Maybe free standing large containers
French drains and taring the walls with a water barrier, will help as well as warmth don't put it off water freezing will crack the foundation walls. A bigger problem ahead of you wait.
Can you show us when you work on parts of your house , it is very intersting to watch.
I can't help but wonder if a lot of the damp is because of the concrete rendering outside of the chateau. It's been a terribly wet year. I know you've talked about it in the past and removing it will be an enormous task. Perhaps it's time to start considering removing it. Maybe do it in smaller sections at a time? I don't envy any of the work ahead of you. Also, what is that panel/box under the window with the slits in the morning salon? I've always wondered what it was and why just that window has it and none of the others do? Cheers!
Ohhh noooo! I am impressed with the speed of decline though.
i wonder if the problem is not caused by the fact that there is concreet on the wall in stead of limemorter? i have seen that being a problem with other chateau !
That driveway where the planters are, could you put the hydrangeas along between the planters?
You could just move the hydrangeas a few feet away from the wall creating an air gap and drainage channel between them and the wall.
👍🌅
You need to dig it all and put in a french drain all around the house.
This that concrete render on the outside wall, if so that would cause a damp issue.
Please move the furniture away from the walls where the wood worms are. Try to treat the walls and floors for wood worms as soon as possible as it seems like they have been there a while.
Can you cut the hydrangeas right down and dig out to transplant 😊
French drain for sure...
French drain around the perimeter?
L I K E 👍 👍🏽 👍🏿👍🏽 👍🤩😍🤩😍🤩 💯💢💯💢💯💯
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Phil what a lotta work. Get rid of all those plants. I’d never buy a place where plants are against the building. The plants hide deterioration so not good. The morning room needs sorting. Why not pay people to do it? You’re making on the channel. Get your followers to give advice. I’m not that clued up in the plant dept. I’ve got to do my house with new kitchen etc. I am not looking forward to that. Hope you get help Phil. Thanks for sharing :))
Hi Lightening, how is it going?