Stone flooring
Stone floors were traditionally laid directly onto wellcompacted soil in a bed of lime mortar or sand. As with the rest of the building, this construction was breathable, so moisture evaporated freely. The limestone, sandstone, slate or granite used to create these floors was generally quarried locally. Often the thickness of individual pieces varied considerably but, whatever the stone, it was preferably dense, hard and durable. In the Georgian period, imported marble was often employed to create grander floors.
Maintenance checklist
• Identify and rectify the source of any damp problems• Note and rectify uneven stones that may represent a trip hazard• Consider re-bedding any rocking or loose stones• Replace missing or very badly damaged stones• Wipe up spills promptly• Carefully clean off inappropriate marks and staining• Regularly sweep or vacuum the floor
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