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REPAIRS As with all conservation work, it is most important to record the area to be conserved prior to commencement as well as during work. One of the first tasks may be to remove inappropriate materials and methods of repair and replace with the appropriate stucco/render. However, removal should only be carried out if this...
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There are two types of sand, which can be used in mortar. However, it is important to note, that this sand cannot be interchanged. Whichever be the sand type, make sure it is sieved before used. This will ensure that only sand goes into the mortar and small stones do not make their way into...
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I have noticed that although self coloured render is not new to the external rendering industry to the average person it is. The reason for this is because the general population is not required to know much about rendering as it does not affect their lives much. However when the external render of their property...
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Standard sand and cement seems to have gone out of fashion over the years. The reason for this is not because it does not look good as a render but because when applied it does not tend to have a very long lifespan. Before you know it it will require maintenance and cracks will start...
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Limewash is a traditional interior and exterior finish for many stone and brick buildings, applied either directly to the masonry surface or, more commonly, to a coating of lime plaster, render or harling. As a vapour permeable material, limewash is the most effective and appropriate finish available for traditional buildings: it is also the most beautiful....
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In this article, we will introduce the various types of lime available to builders. 1. Non-hydraulic Lime Putty (Fat Limes) Many traditional limes were non-hydraulic as is most modern lime putty that become set/ dry by reacting with carbon dioxide gas in moisture conditions. A non-hydraulic lime mortar is soft, porous, permeable and plastic. They...
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Pebbledash and roughcast are forms of render in which the top coat is roughly textured by pebbles or stone fragments. As the terms are used today, they each have different meanings. For pebbledash, clean material is thrown at the freshly plastered surface then pressed in, so the colour of the material is visible. For roughcast,...
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If you want to give your house a facelift then rendering your external walls is a way to go about it. There are a few things that you should avoid before you even think of starting such work. First of all make sure that the right rendering materials are being used otherwise your work will...
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There has been some debate over what materials to use when rendering external walls. More specifically, some have advocated the use of PVA glue as an adhesive, sealer and bonding agent applied to a cement/ sand mixturewhile rendering the external walls of a property (note that in this instance, the term PVA glue refers specifically...
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