description of our services ;
Lime Plastering/Rendering
Internal lime Plastering, using Lime is done traditionally using three coats of application. The First and Second coats, "scratch" and "floated" are applied with courser aggregates and sometimes contains hair. This is done too give these coats strenght and structure, like a bonging agent.The Final Coat contains finer aggregates and allows for a variety of traditional finishies.Lime Putty is used on backgrounds such as Larth, Masonary, Brick, Reed and even Straw.
Rendering in Lime is usaually done using Hydraulic Lime, though putty can be used, and is a traditional mortar it tends too be more exspensive. Rendering is also applied using three coats using a mixture of course and soft sand with NHL hydraulic lime, different strenghts are used depending on the background and desired finish of the render. Same method applys when using putty, but application varies. Unlike recent sand and cement products, all Lime plastering is breathable. Allowing the building to pass salts and water penertration avoiding possible damp problems and stone rot, which can lead unstable walls and structures.
Damp Proofing/ Solutions
A very common problem in older properties is dampness in walls and floors. This can occur for various reasons, the failure of an existing damp proof course, bridging due to the raising of external ground and internal floor levels, or in some old buildings, the complete absence of a damp proof course. Brick, stone and mortar are porous allowing dampness from the ground to rise by suction, carrying with it salts from the ground including chlorides and nitrates. These salts from the ground can absorb moisture from the atmosphere. This almost always causes plaster to fail/rot, become hollow. Stone can become wet and brittle, thus walls weak and unstable and generally ruins all other decorative covers/paints/plasters.
Recent medical studies have also stated the link of dampness in homes to our health, causing or worsening the symptoms of athema.
We have a full range of solutions towards damp problems, using some of the latest and most effective products to date. This is one of the most common problems we deal with in older buildings, thus giving us a great advantage and vast knowledge in dealing with each and every problem. Even in older listed buildings we can use appriopate products and solutions to ensure future dry walls/floors for our clients.
Limewashing/Decoration
Limewashing is slaked putty turned into a liquid formula to produce a wash. It is available in many colours now. It can be applied on most backgrounds and should be used on lime backgrounds such as render, stone and lime pointing, as it continues to allow the building to breathe, adds protection against the elements and still provides a great traditional decorative cover.
Pointing and Stone Repair
Pointing is the mortar between stone and bricks. Alot of listed and older properties require new pointing due to exsisting mortar failing from years of weathering. Also some properties have actually had the mortar repaired but using sand and cement. That can cause a bit of an eye sore with older structures and also cause damp problems. Stone Repair is done by removing damaged/brittle stone from the surface and replacing/remoulding it using a specific lime mortar.
For any more Information on our services please contact us, we are more than happy to give you any advice.
Please contact us for any other services.
We also undertake all aspects of Modern Plastering such as the latest damp proofing products, all internal plaster finishes and floor screeds.
