Bought my first house and hate it, SO much

Smodlet

She's a bundle of love.

Lumabones

I seem to feel worse on a morning about the place, but as the day goes on it gets a little easier. Classic sign of depression, maybe to do with the changes? I hope I can get that referral quick.

Anyway, when I do feel a bit glum, I look at the before and after for our kitchen. I did try to upload some pictures, but it won't let me due to being a new user

As far as I'm aware, the ground level isn't higher than the house floor, I was concerned one of the airbricks looks a bit too low? I was worried about water maybe getting in there, but I'll ask the guy when we get the report. The damp proof course is above the airbricks, I saw the little slate pieces dotted around the bricks outside, do you think it's possible this has failed? I'd imagine that would affect the plaster/skirting too though, and all of that is in good shape. So far it does just seen a ventilation issue, a cold spot in the house that the air bricks aren't reaching. Unless it is historic damp that hasn't had a chance to dry.

princeofpounds

princeofpounds - well the joists, whilst they did show signs, were actually only borderline moisture for them to thrive. It's right near a corner towards the garden. I'm waiting for the report back from the surveyor, but he said it could even be a case of airbricks blocked with debris over time.......... I just wonder if there's a bit of leak through the brick? I have found the odd weevil in the kitchen too, but I'm not sure if they're just wanderers, I really don't wanna have to take up all the kitchen floor too! But I assume more ventilation would help dry out that wood.
Other than that, there is absolutely no sign of damp anywhere in the house. No mould, nothing.

OK, that doesn't sound too bad. Sounds like you are getting some reasonable advice. An extra air brick might help. Weevils can wander, but I'd suggest that when you eventually tackle the kitchen that you do lift some floorboards just to check the subfloor condition. It won't take long if you are already replacing flooring, 15 mins if nothing is found. But if there's no other reason to suspect an issue, then you don't need to do it any time soon.

Bricks themselves rarely tend to leak as such. When you have water coming through walls, it's typically because of extended contact, such as a waterfall coming from a broken gutter, or damp ground being in constant contact with bricks above the damp course. Or a faulty damp course. Sometimes with north-facing walls that take a lot of rain the bricks can get a bit wet from exposure, but cavity walls deal with that. It tends to be an issue only for single skin walls or where the cavity is bridged.

As for lino, I actually found some gorgeous textured lino which I'd never known of....... As long as it was in the living room I'd cope with the rest.

Yes lino has improved a great deal too. If putting carpet down in the living room will help the feel of the place a lot, then I'd agree it something to do soon.

The other ideas are just that for now. I don't want to sink money too much into the place with the likes of a new bathroom, until I know I can settle here. The kitchen makeover did help a lot though, it's amazing what changing some cupboard doors and adding a worktop will do. This anxiety could also be tiredness. We've done SO much already before we even moved in. It's just neverending!

Well, it's always a bit chicken and egg; spending money to do the place up will ease settling, but of course it's natural to only want to spend money on a place you have settled in. That's why I'd urge you to press ahead with a few lower cost things like painting and some new flooring. Even if you end up selling, these will help saleability a great deal; in some ways that's more important than so-called 'adding value'.

Tiredness - yes.... and it can feel neverending. Actually it sort of is; houses need maintenance. But over time, as you improve how a house is looked after, it becomes less and less frequent. Always focus on a couple of things that you can address soon, don't dwell too much on the long list of stuff to do over the long term. Ticking things off a list is way more satisfying than building a list!

Lumabones

She's a bundle of love.

Honestly she really is! Her cheeky antics are what keep me going through real hard times. She's a Netherland Dwarf and the biggest diva I've ever met. Dunno what I'd do without her.

AdrianC

princeofpounds wrote: »

OK, that doesn't sound too bad. Sounds like you are getting some reasonable advice. An extra air brick might help. Weevils can wander, but I'd suggest that when you eventually tackle the kitchen that you do lift some floorboards just to check the subfloor condition. It won't take long if you are already replacing flooring, 15 mins if nothing is found. But if there's no other reason to suspect an issue, then you don't need to do it any time soon.

Bricks themselves rarely tend to leak as such. When you have water coming through walls, it's typically because of extended contact, such as a waterfall coming from a broken gutter, or damp ground being in constant contact with bricks above the damp course. Or a faulty damp course. Sometimes with north-facing walls that take a lot of rain the bricks can get a bit wet from exposure, but cavity walls deal with that. It tends to be an issue only for single skin walls or where the cavity is bridged.

When we had damp, rotten joists under the kitchen floor, it was down to the main incoming water pipe leaking. It was the original lead one, and every time we touched it to re-joint it, it just sprang another leak. We ended up replacing the entire lot from the gate, digging up the front garden. It was a close-run thing as to whether we'd have to lift the living room floor, but fortunately the pipe pushed through OK.

babyblade41

I'm living in a horrid mess, coming from a beautiful house to a refurb... I would love a building mess as then at least builders were in and everyday is a day closer to finishing.

What I have done as every room is a tip is have one or two rooms where you can escape.

I have my 2 lovely sofas and laid a very cheap floor .. (no plaster on walls and no ceilings) lots of candles and at least the wood burner is in and in the evening when it's dusk it doesn't feel so bad.

Our kitchen can't be done as it's coming down in September so no use wasting money there .

I also have a small conservatory and I've managed to get some paint on the walls , put up some rustic oak shelving and have got that pretty much how I want it...it's the only space in the house that doesn't need renovating.

The exposed brick in the living room isn't too bad as long as you ignore missing ceiling !!.

One day at a time and try and get as much help as possible ..pizza party has been mentioned on here a few times !!

babyblade41

AdrianC wrote: »

When we had damp, rotten joists under the kitchen floor, it was down to the main incoming water pipe leaking. It was the original lead one, and every time we touched it to re-joint it, it just sprang another leak. We ended up replacing the entire lot from the gate, digging up the front garden. It was a close-run thing as to whether we'd have to lift the living room floor, but fortunately the pipe pushed through OK.

I am going to be doing this next Friday .. lead pipe springing leaks everywhere underground but thankfully nothing in the house..floorboards all up and the people doing it aren't too worried as they will have those little mole things that excavate ..at least we will have a brand new pipe coming in ...another box ticked

Rosieandjim

I would love to show you the gorgeous house that some work mates relatives have done. An old house that has been turned into a dream home.


And all done on the cheap by using Ebay for everything. There is nothing new inside but if you looked at it you would think money was no object.


Your house sounds like it needs TLC and your imagination. It has probably been standing for many years and have many years to come. You do not have to have it done all at once. The beauty of a home is to spend time getting a feel for it and then decorate and furnish to what taste you want over a period of time.


There are millions of people who would like to be in your position of having the security of your own home. Be kind to yourself and it.

need_an_answer

OP... are you finding comfort in interacting with others on this thread?

I'm asking because I wonder if it may help you going forward to write down your thoughts on the property as time goes by,use it as a documentation of your journey and after a month or so see how you are still feeling about the whole situation in general or if as days go by a glimmer of light,however small may start to shine.

Has there been any good bits, or something that you could focus on in an effort to help you create "your home".

Do you have a garden?
maybe you and bunny could go out if the weather is nice and start to think about how you could improve it,bit by bit...but always remembering that it isn't going to magically transform overnight it will all take time but if you are able to focus on doing one bit of something well its better than trying to make everything good all at once.

Sending you positive thoughts and hoping you all soon find that this space can be your space.

You wont have been the first person who bought a house and hasn't settled,but well done for posting openly about it...I hope you will keep the thread updated over time to reflect how its all progressing for you.

greenhill

This is possibly the nicest thread I've ever read on here. You're all being so understanding.
I understand where you're coming from OP ��