We just purchased a 2 storey, double brick (no wall cavity)approximately 80 year old home. I want to remove all lathe and plaster on exterior walls from the inside and then frame 2x4 walls so we can insulate, RE-WIRE, and vapour barrier new exterior walls. Will this cause any damage to face of bricks (popping off) or any other damage like some 'engineer' told this carpenter's girlfriend? Should I apply tyvek or black felt paper to the 'parging' which is currently on the inside behind the lathe and plaster and on first brick face?
Answer:
The parging, depending on what material was used, could well be the cause of the spalling bricks. The plaster, because it almost certainly contains asbestos, should be removed professionally. If the parging on the inside is a tar substance, it should be cleaned off as much as possible before doing the new framing.
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