Victorian and Edwardian houses often have a damp proof course using slate. In the 1870's local authorities started making these compulsory. However, builders had started using them much earlier than this and in some areas, houses were still being built without any kind of damp proof system at the turn of the century. Modern "chemical injection" damp proof courses are often not suitable for older properties, particulalry those built of stone rather than brick.
Cement
Most Georgian and early Victorian properties were built using lime mortar. Cement started to become popular in the 1820's. Lime however continued to be used throughout the Victorian period.
