We have a damp problem. This is what we're doing about it (FLASHBACK) - #7

During the renovation of our Portuguese farmhouse we discovered an issue: damp, moisture and water ingress - particular in one corner of the house on the lowest part of the land.
Having uncovered this, we put into place some (temporary) guttering to direct rain water away from around the perimeter of the building - eventually we'll capture this in some large tanks and use it for irrigating our garden. The guttering has helped in the long term but it was not a complete solution.
Join us for a special kind of episode where we flashback to events of the past so you can get up to speed with our situation, what we're doing about it and why.
And then, join us in the next video to see what we've been doing more recently and if we've finally fixed the damp problem!

[@mechanics4all405]

That lady is amazing,nothing but solutions Fantastic

[@patriciasnodgrass8205]

The mystery is solved! Wonder Woman is living on a farm in Portugal! Kylie you ROCK!

[@margaretsofocleous8137]

What an incredible woman. You are an amazing team.

[@-_James_-]

I spent a couple of months last summer digging out by the side of my house for drainage, waterproofing, and insulation. I went down about three metres and about five metres along the wall. Most of it was loose granite rock that had been dumped there by the guys who built the house. It turned out there was a French drain down there, but it wasn't protected by anything, so it was completely clogged, and the house wall (built from insulated leca blocks) was completely waterlogged. And of course I had to do this by hand - the only way I could have got a machine in there would be by helicopter, and even then there wouldn't have been room to maneuver it. In the end, I replaced the French drain, waterproofed the wall, put in a ventilation pipe for the crawlspace next to where I was working for radon, put in pipes for the gutters (which were emptying directly into that corner - hence the water problems), added a radon barrier to the wall itself, added 100mm of insulation outside (I'm in Norway), and covered the whole shebang in protective plastic sheeting before filling everything back in. So I definitely appreciate being able to watch someone else dig themselves into a hole for a change. ;)

[@MAKEDOGROW]

OMG, 3 meters is insane!! Hope your muscles managed ... digging by hand is intense and can only really be appreciated by someone who’s done it. Hats off to you!! 😃

[@-_James_-]

@@MAKEDOGROW It was a fun little project. With a bit of luck the doctor says I should be up and around any month now. 🤣 Rather amusingly, I tried to find some cheap labourers to do it for me (or at least help) a couple of years ago. My tenants living downstairs at the time said they knew some Polish guys who were always looking for work. They came and had a look at what needed doing, and outright refused to even consider it.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

@@-_James_- 😂🤣 we had some Polish guys help in our last renovation job in London, great little workers, but of course we didn’t ask them to dig down 3m 😂

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

@@-_James_- Nobody wants to work hard.... except the owners ! Once the cry was, you can't get any reliable domestic help. Nowadays, it's seems we've grown too well off or too soft ! Oh, well, when Putin takes over (?) He'll make the men manly ! Then they will just love digging trenches around a house 🏡. Better than out on a battle field ( or do they still do that nowadays?)

[@jirinasatavova6084]

You work hard and still keep a sense of humor, the kicking would probably kill me!!!

[@GoodLuckLive]

Chuckling away here at the choice of triumphant music for the great trench digging segment! Can just imagine you sitting there sifting through the royalty free options and stumbling upon that hilariously appropriate piece of music!

[@marilynlanger1932]

Super video!

[@palace927]

French drain into a water tank and use the water for irrigation? YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Surface water often has a lot of contamination so we’re choosing not to use it, but the rain water from the roof will definitely be used for irrigation 😀

[@mrXOwarrior]

It is fun to see how much this husband and wife work together.

[@mariadange06]

Ouff thanks got my fix of 'watching other people working hard' 😂

[@MAKEDOGROW]

😂🤣😂

[@mariajoaocarvalhomarques4973]

Amazing, i m so impressd !!!!!!!!!!! Kylie You're simply the best, Better than all the rest ....🌼🌼😘😘👌👌🌻🌻

[@chipbhi]

I really love when you explain things in voice over while showing us what you're doing. Very engaging parts of the video for me! Thanks!

[@suewalker9642]

I'm shattered watching you dig 🤣

[@twinklefire7241]

Kylie is just an absolute BRAIN. Your work is very impressive! Cheers.

[@christopherhammond4490]

She's a Queenslander! Fantastic work.

[@pamjacobson6236]

The work you do is way more than 2 people should do, I don’t know how you have the energy and stamina to do this huge project! You two are so impressive!

[@LaReynedEpee]

I've now seen the definition of back-breaking work. I salute you. 🙏

[@johnmcnichol8330]

Wow!

[@lioneld7199]

Loved the recap/flashback vid. Really looking forward to seeing you guys unveiling the solution/finished damp resolve. I have no doubt you'll win.

[@guylocation9823]

your wife is a present from God.. great job both .. soon your farm will be beautiful

[@lawrencechan2693]

20:35 - What a great summary!

[@reinerhohn325]

Unbelievable that you do it all yourself. I wouldn't dare to do that. Respect! Applause!

[@leestimis9264]

This was an awesome documentary !! You can see how much energy you used through the loss of and gain of muscle. You 2 are extraordinary in my book. The preservation of this incredible home is precious to say the least. This home will be around for another 300 years. If not more.

[@elizabethboyd4601]

Kylie is the best!! That mammoth digging is no joke....I would probably need at least a week to recover🤣🤣.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

There was plenty of recovery wine .... for medicinal purposes obviously 😂😂

[@gvdmaas]

❤ love this so called “flashback” 😊

[@teodoro1007]

In Argentina I had problems with a groundwater surge 30 cm below the suface with a heavy rain, & all the cellar full of water. I sold my father´s house long ago. In Hamburg I had problems with heavy rain, guttters etc., I sold it long ago. Now in Coimbra I´m renting, but I´m bored... 😁😀

[@mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[@christobar]

Brilliant recap and voice overs!

[@JohnDoe-me2tw]

So nice to see you again on the new channel.

[@OaktreePaula]

Yay thanks for the bonus video! Amazing work! what a clever hardworking couple 👏👏👏

[@sovereigns1grace]

Thanks for the flashback. So happy you will continue showing us the house renovation. I was a little concerned you were becoming a gardening/harvesting channel. Yay, we get it all! You guys are awesome 💖

[@d.j.robinson9424]

Excellent update, thank you for showing your progress.👍👍💚☉

[@RaymondChipLambert]

So glad you are incorporating video from the previous channel. Not sure why you had to change it, but this tied it all together brilliantly! Thanks for the update. Watching avidly from Phoenix, AZ

[@louisecooper4803]

Strawberries already. Pleased to see your subscriber numbers growing. Enjoyed the flashback and will continue to enjoy the restoration and cultivation.

[@anthonylane]

Brilliant update eagerly awaiting next flashback 😀

[@filipar949]

The editing is top notch and the music makes it epic, like a movie 🍿 love that you’re both such clean workers

[@cheryldoorbar7187]

I was a subscriber to your previous channel, so I remember this. The edited together summary is great. I can imagine more wine was consumed through all that…for medicinal purposes, of course. 😊🍷

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Sooooo much wine 😂🤣😂

[@deirdremccarthy7976]

Really enjoyed seeing the progress, Kylie is an amazing worker, this was done so simply and so easy to understand. I think you are both champions, best of luck

[@MsJakobsen]

Nice with the recap. And even nicer that you continue the "damp" story on Saturday. I' ve been missing following your renovation work and was afraid that you'd decided to cut that out on the new channel.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

It’s been a long drawn out saga, but the end is in sight 😀

[@carolbulmer8253]

WOW! Big problem required lots of work!

[@lorimontcalm9086]

As always another great video explaining why you are doing what you are doing. Yes it is satisfying watching other people work. I marvel at how much work two determined able bodied people can accomplish. Kudos to you both. Hugs from 🇨🇦

[@laurareiner]

Wow. An impressive amount of work. Kudos!

[@monalingan9523]

Great flashback video!

[@filipar949]

💪🏼 I also liked to see this SUPERWOMAN hard at work, makes me feel proud 🤩 #girlpower

[@craigland7117]

Love your channel, its refreshing to see you work extremely hard, solve problems and love what you do. Looking forward to seeing more in the future.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

We’re seriously living the dream .... who’d have thought you could be so happy ending each day utterly exhausted ... beats a desk job hands down 😀

[@ce1581]

The home function engineering is what I love , I wouldn't be surprised if when the home was built the outer earth works were created to drain away in the first place but over a hundred years and dumb renovations the earth all fell back up around the house. I live on a farm and every year it is visible that wind and rain push manure dirt rock etc against at least one wall of our home. And over a hundred years we could get four feet of drainage problems from just normal earth movement. You are not alone 🥰

[@inabates8919]

Oh my giddy aunt, I’m glad somebody knew what they were talking and on about, pheww 😑😉❣️👏

[@homeincostarica914]

Hey Kylie and Guy! I am watching your videos since the beginning (the other channel). You've inspired me to buy a not yet finished house. Well it is finished but certainly not the way I want it to be ;-) Two weeks ago we finally got the key to our house and I really appreciate how easy you make this stuff look... because it is super hard work. Please just keep doing what you do. Also, I love the way Kylie explains what you are doing. It's very helpful :) Cheers from Costa Rica!

[@jackicammidge5901]

Thank you for letting me enjoy the sight of other people working hard! I used to do all this kind of stuff, but since being diagnosed with MS in 2010, no more.

[@emmaslow]

Whatever caused the need to restart with a new channel definitely has some silver linings because these voiceover documentaries are absolutely superb. Thank you both for the info & the fantastic videos 🙏

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Thanks for your kind words ... we definitely love the start to this new channel, has given us so many opportunities to be better creators 😀

[@tobi868]

@@MAKEDOGROW What was wrong with the old channel? I only found this channel by chance...

[@bachaniboodoo4277]

You guys are amazing. I am quite impressed by the amount of labour kylie puts in to the projects. She is indeed an ispiration.

[@LCamp-cr7fs]

What teases you are! Can’t wait to see what else happened in the meantime.

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

THIS has been invaluable, both in catching up in video sequence and for the re-establishing of drainage technique information that is available and the choices you made and why. You have been most generous in relaying your experience for which I am most thankful. 🙏. It may even find it's way into what I envisage doing but all that hard work.... I'm a bit past that now.

[@francineclave2207]

This was WONDERFUL! I am sure you are proud of all these incredible improvements you have made to your home. Such HARD WORKERS! 😱 I am newer to your channel and while I could see what you have done, seeing it “as a work in progress” was an excellent decision! Great great video❤️👍

[@sueholden3320]

Fantastic recap, TY

[@gunillaevanth1370]

Much appreciated, thank you!

[@patrickkonig]

Full respect to both of you for carrying out this massive undertaking by hand. It was a great reminder video of all that you have done. Nothing but respect. Now get the Chicken Coop finished. Patrick

[@jeanhawken4482]

Phenomenal job

[@paesDalmeida]

Congratulations !!!!

[@TerryTerryTerry]

Excellent summary.

[@gaynor3976]

I started watching your channel last summer and remember all the digging Kylie did while you were away. Was good to see flashback again. Looking forward to your next video. Xx

[@MrSenglish12]

Brilliant thanks really enjoyed today's vlog

[@adds91]

Great flashback! Looking forward to seeing Sats video and how it’s gone! My knowledge learnt from you on damp, drains, lime and natural walls is coming in really handy at the moment. We are in the process of buying as old stone Cornish house and I’ve read the survey this week and seen things like damp linked to walls not being able to breathe, minimal foundations, lack of damp proofing course and a guttering down pipe that doesnt link to drains without panicking and believing it’s all fixable, all helped by knowing I have a husband that runs a property improvement business and is used to working on Cotswold old buildings, so whilst I will have to muck in I won’t be taking on Kylies role. She is a Wonder Woman 😀

[@frankboyd7993]

Great to see a new video. You two have been hard at it. Wow!

[@22VB22]

OMG! This is amazing, amazing to see The hard work You have done ! And to turn it into beautiful things ! 🤩

[@alexs3119]

Although, I am not a religious person, I have to say - May God help you. That is amazing amount of work you were involved in, and you have, obviously, done a good job. I've seen clay, but nothing like that. Clay that has to be dug out, by the hammer drill......that is something different. In my house surrounding, there is clay and is firm clay, during the summer months when we have no rain (at this stage we've been living in continental part of Australia) but yours is something to talk about. You have a new subscriber as my wife and me have some plans to move to Montenegro, which is a rocky part of the world and we are about to retire and we are gathering all sorts of informations like your video clips and plans are to make some kind of off grid living in that part of the world. Good on you guys. Wishing you everything good in your new environment. Hope you solved a problem of language barrier and all of administrative problems that moving to a new country brings with it.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

We were so glad when someone told us about the shovel attachment for the hammer drill, made a massive difference 😀. Still crazy hard work though 😂

[@1CelloOne]

I love your videos! And, I really admire both of you and your intelligence for problem solving!

[@fabrizionaturalli6518]

Hey guys, congratulations from Brazil, i love your channel honestly for all channel of rebuild DIY and farming really your channel is far away the best one. The quality of the videos are amazing. I don't know what happend with your previous channel, i only discover it has a previous channel because youtube i don't know why show me one video and i realize this came afther the previous one. So was a incredible adventure you both took. Congratulations.

[@patmos68]

This was a great recap, even for those of us that had watched the original video's on the previous channel. Kylie did a great job keeping us informed and reminding us of all the effort. Can't wait to see some remodeling video's. You guys are the best.

[@mariaeugenia7599]

Thanks for showing the progress in the french drainage/damp problem. Thought you'd given up. (Perfectly understandable) Happy you didn't!! Water is a magnificent enemy my husband always says. Cheers

[@City_Hunter]

The fire nation agrees

[@christinetaggart2715]

Thanks, loved the review. I was missing the updates on the house I must admit! Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[@sircrocodile3749]

Great work! keep it up

[@russ1878]

So happy I found you both again. Looking forward to seeing the progress on the farm.

[@isabellevince5174]

What an interesting recap! I watch all your vids, but a recap is really useful and impressive. I suppose because it tells a story and takes us on a journey including problems and solutions. Thank you for sharing this!

[@footplate0]

Even though I had watched you dig out all that dirt, I still enjoyed the recap. It also refreshed my brain as to what you had done ( I have short term memory loss) so thank you for posting this video and enabling me to refresh my memory. By heck you didn't half work hard on that job, so needed to be shown again.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Refreshed our memories too .... sometimes it feels like we’re not making any progress, but seems like we’ve been busy 😂

[@seascape185]

Kylee wow! Yup that wore me out watching you work 😂

[@sebastienlincoln8655]

Well done for all the hard work and good ideas! Don’t forget to add a few inspection manholes to the underground rainwater pipes!! These can get blocked very easily, cheers and looking forward to your progress

[@MsCorrier]

You guys are amazing!

[@ncrpejxi]

Use roof water to water your garden

[@annelieclaassen8041]

use tile cement to fill up cracks works so much better than crack filler

[@pipesandcigarsinfrance5342]

Love this channel. A fantastic couple, hard-workers and down to earth!

[@lawrencechan2693]

Amazing video, thanks for sharing your progress. Your storytelling is engaging and really well told. I enjoyed Kylie's explanations too - super informative!

[@robbo4393]

glad i found you again missed the channel name change so have got some catching up to do love the way you present the videos

[@janetarnold6292]

I bet you two sleep well considering how hard you work. 🌙😴🌖

[@petermuller4322]

I have just come across your channel. You guys are amazing and so hard working and seem to know what you are doing. 👍🏻 There are products available that are used to insulate brick walls so that water can’t penetrate anymore. But I am sure you lnow that. greetings from 🇩🇪

[@peasparsleyandprayers2817]

You two are so impressive on your work and knowledge of it all. I love watching you two.

[@raycharsley]

That woman is amazing ...

[@deidrespencer5467]

As a 'newbie' to your channel, I appreciate the catch-up, thank you. My goodness, you two work so hard, especially Kylie!! You remind me of when I was a younger fit woman. I'm looking forward to hearing whether all your hard work was worth it. All the best. From Australia. 👋🌈

[@fraslavko1]

super ! missed all of your progress and banter between you both! Look forward to the NEW YOU . much love from Oregon

[@VillaAroldi]

Im glad you guys made this video as I am about to do the exact same thing myself, loads of things to consider now thanks to you!

[@DeleRT83TV]

I am so glad I found you guys again. Keep up the good work

[@glenyscallaghan1195]

Good luck rather you than me , it’s a lot of digging xx

[@mazdehay587]

Enjoyed the flashback and have been waiting for when you move back inside doing works! can’t wait for next video and see if it worked, so hopeful as keen to see rooms coming to life

[@stevenkeller3047]

That was very informative. I was wondering about all those things. The interior floor (or lack there of), the trenches outside, and all the piping. You guys have done a TON of work. That house and property really needed someone like you two.

[@duartevillas7619]

It might be late but in case you have will, strength and find this interesting enough to do it. The old school Portuguese drainage system from the guttering (algeroz) would include a way to the well since it helps maintain the levels of the underground water table. Cheers

[@vieracukanovacsornaiova1714]

Separate the concrete fence from the house on both sides by about 1 m and install a mesh fence so that the corners of the house do not get wet from the soaked concrete fence.

[@markdickinson3123]

When are you posting building progress on your other channel guy's, loving the progress.

[@marcusdekker]

Wow, what a job. I wonder what your neighbors were thinking......creasy foreigners...haha. I tip my hat for the lady!!!

[@jennichristie5264]

Must admit to slight itch myself 😀. Doing a great job guys.

[@sherry2836]

You two are amazing! Such intense labor toward a sustainable water solution; and yes, I did enjoy watching you both work! Your poor arms must have felt like noodles. Will there be any use for all that rock you jack-hammered out of there? Great work!

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Our arms (and backs, shoulders, legs ....) were exhausted.... but we’re now fitter than we’ve ever been! I’ve actually got real arm muscles now ... not something I’d have imagined happening as I approach 50 😂 It’s not actually rock, just seriously hard clay .... but we do have plans to reuse it, hopefully in a cob (clay and straw) structure. Possible next year, we’ll see 😃

[@terrimccullough724]

Can we just acknowledge what a beast Kylie is? This woman has more stamina than I have ever had

[@MAKEDOGROW]

I almost have the Popeye muscles now to go with my grit and determination 😂

[@terrimccullough724]

@@MAKEDOGROW you earned them!!!