NHL Renders
General information |
Other General Guidelines documents: Render on cob Render on wooden lath Render on metal lath Render on blocks Rendering with a spray gun |
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The correct specification for any render should consider the nature and
condition of the background, site exposure, time of the year (weather maps
/ rainfall and wind driven rain indices) and type of finish required. The success of a render depends on ensuring good background preparation and suction control, the correct choice of a mortar and its application. Sample panels should always be carried out. The durability of a render depends on mortars that will adhere to the background, are able to breathe and resist harsh climatic conditions that can and do occur even in relatively benign climate zones. A good bond to the substrate and between all coats is essential to the soundness of the render structure. Bonding is both physical and mechanical:
To avoid potential de-bonding and cracking each coat should be not be richer in binder or thicker than the preceding one (thicker base coats are applicable on thin stipple/scratch coats). Sands for renders. In dubbing out, stipple coats and base coats the sands should be well graded, washed and free of clay/silt (particles below #200 mesh). Use sharp sands from #6 down to #200, with the bulk of the sand in the #16 down to #100. Fine sands or monogranular sands (bulk in 1 or 2 grades only) are to be avoided. In finishing coats, finer sands, still well graded, can be used for smooth finishes (avoid overtrowling). Particular attention will have to be paid to finishing coats with fine sands to avoid high shrinkage due to the high amount of water that fine sands absorb. The use of a wooden float, energetically applied in small circular motions, will help. Floating with plastic floats is not suitable. Sponge floats can be used after the wooden float work is completed to achieve a particular texture in the finish. Curing will also be important. Small hairline shrinkage cracks can be healed if treated in time with a light water mist. Note: the finer sand particles are the ones mostly responsible for color and therefore used for color rendition. If the fines denote presence of clay (particles below #200 mesh) the NHL binder quantity should be reduced (clays are also binders!). A wet sieving analysis is recommended to check clay / silt content. |
Background Preparation: Check that any movement cracks
are stable and where necessary ensure they are properly tied and if needed,
grouted/pinned/pointed. Careful removal of existing renders will result
in less remedial repairs prior to re-rendering. Removal of failed or inappropriate
existing render or finishes, including many types of paint, may require
the walls to be left to dry out properly before re-rendering and time should
be allowed for this. Ensure all repairs to the background are completed
and that loose pinning stones or defective bricks are repaired or replaced
prior to commencement of any rendering. Partial or complete re-pointing
/ consolidation may be required. Remove all loose and friable materials,
remove and treat all organic growth, use biocides where applicable, ensuring
that they will not affect the mortar. Newly built walls should be allowed to dry properly, usually 1 month. This will not take place readily in winter conditions. Repointing before rendering: if this is necessary it should be done with a compatible mortar. Detailing: inspect all details, i.e. copings etc. Check gutters and down pipes and all forms of roof drainage, ground drainage and general ground conditions. Make sure all the above items are functioning properly and where remedial action is required, ensure it is completed before proceeding with render work. Rendering should never come into contact with soil. Renders should be kept clear of the ground or finish at the base of a wall into free draining gravel. Dubbing out: on defaced surfaces or in areas with a large amount of damaged joints it will be necessary to apply a dubbing out coat to provide a level surface. In most cases this will be sufficient with mortar, however very deep joints or hollows should be pinned to reduce the mass of mortar. When a dubbing out coat is used, let it set sufficiently (8-10 hours) before scraping it and keying it. Apply the first coat after approx. 2 days (more if very deep recesses have been filled) and depending on weather conditions. Dubbing out should leave a relatively flat surface, keyed as necessary, on which to render. Suction control: if needed, apply sufficient water to reduce excessive suction, especially on bricks and porous stone. Old bricks often require more water than new ones. On many occasions this is done the day before, if necessary several times with the last damping just before application starts. Apply water starting at the top of the structure. Over saturation of the background will result in loss of bond. Never render backgrounds that have standing water on the surface. Always dampen preceding coats before applying next coat. It should be noted that in the presence of diferent suction levels the degree of dampening will vary accordingly. |
Keying: provide adequate keying between background
and base coat and between each coat. Crisscross patterns are preferred to
combing. Make sure that keying does not cut too deeply. Sometimes joints
in brickwork are raked back (normally 1/2"), this is not necessary
with NHL renders if a stipple coat is applied cast on, harled or sprayed
on. Two coat work Two coat work is suitable for renders with an overall thickness of approx. 5/8" on surfaces that provide adequate suction and a good key. On surfaces offering poor suction and keying, it is recommended to use a stipple coat (1/8"-1/4" thick) applied by casting on, harling or spraying. The main coat can be applied after sufficient hardening and finished as required. Alternatively use 3 coat work by applying a finishing coat. On two coat work the base coat will be the thickest (up to 1/2", more if applied in 2 passes) and with a binder: sand ratio of 1:1.5 or 1:2. Use mainly NHL 5 or NHL 3.5. This can be laid on or preferably cast/sprayed on. Scour back and key after initial setting. To ensure a flat and uniform surface see "Ensuring a level surface" under Undercoat in 3 coat work section. Curing: check for initial shrinkage. If found, dampen surface lightly with water and tighten back and re-key. Repeated shrinkage is usually a function of poor quality sands, poor suction control or rapid drying. Finishing coat: use NHL 3.5 or NHL 2 (see individual product sheets) 3/16" max. for smooth or light textured finishes, 5/16" for coarse finishes (tyrolean, roughcast etc ). Smooth and light textured finishes: use finer well graded sands, #14 down to #200 mesh. Add just enough water to obtain required workability. The more water is added the higher the risk of shrinkage. When the mortar is firm enough, proceed to float up with a cross-grained wood float. This is the most important phase of the finishing work and should be done diligently. Together with good curing and protection it is vital in obtaining a good finish. Coarse finishes: use coarser sands if thick (rustic) granular finishes are required. The thickness of the coat depends on the final finish required. Some of these finishes, especially the ones requiring special skills such as cottage, scraped and travertine effects, could also be done by using the same type of sand as smooth and light textured (floated) finishes. In these and tooled renderings (patterned), if initial shrinkage takes place, lightly dampen the surface and re-float the area during the first day or two. Tooling is normally applied when the render is 5-7 days old. |
A laid on scratch coat can be used on old bricks or surfaces providing a good key (greater care is required in application to ensure good bonding with the background). It will be scoured back with a cross grained wood float and keyed (crisscross keying pattern preferred) once initial stiffening has taken place. Second coat (straightening): to be applied 2 days (or more, depending on weather conditions) after completion of first coat. Its strength should be less than the first coat. Thickness will vary according to the overall thickness required but it is normally between 1/2"-5/8". It must not be over 3/4" thick. If this is required it should be done in successive coats each not exceeding 3/4". The thicker the intermediate coats, the longer the waiting time before each subsequent application. Ensuring a level surface: to achieve a uniform and level surface fix vertical timber battens or dab's on the wall at 6-8 feet intervals. If the wall is uneven use spacers and check that battens are straight with a plumb level. Fill out to screeds, if necessary in layers. Screed off excess mortar between battens with a wooden straightedge spanning between the battens. When battens are taken down, fill in strips with the same mortar. An alternative is to make running screeds 4" wide at regular intervals. Scour back and key as usual after initial setting. Check for shrinkage during the first 2 days and, if necessary, lightly dampen the relevant area, tighten back and re-key. In case of intermediate coats this would apply to each coat. Do not apply finishing coat until undercoat is adequately hardened. |
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Shrinkage & Cracking greater than 1/16" Less than 1/16" Hairline cracks |
General or partial movement of the background or the building. Thermal movement.Poor workmanship. Render too thick. Too much water in mix. Over saturated backgrounds. Insufficient setting between coats. Bad preparation of background.Over saturated background.Too much binder.Too many fines in sand.Finishing coat to thick.Too much water in the mix.Rapid drying / lack of protection. Too much sun or wind during curing. |
Check if movement is still active. (Engineer to check). If building stable, repair cracks / areas. Depending on extent, open out crack and fill with same mortar. Either apply slurry fill if sound or remove and replace properly. |
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Loss of Bond | Poor background preparation. Poor suction control. Over saturated background. Background too smooth. Incompatibility with existing background. Insufficient strength in bonding coat. Background movement. Metal corrosion.Salt crystallisation. Excessive or late towelling. |
Repair or replace as appropriate.Consolidation by grouting may be considered. | |||
Bulging | Poor background preparation.Incompatibility with existing background.Metal corrosion. Frost damage during curing. | Depending on the extent of damage, either partial repair or total replacement. Neutralise and treat any rusting metal. | |||
Powdering / Friability | De-calcification of render (loss of binder). Poor background preparation. Poor suction control. Rapid evaporation of water during application, ( pror to adequate set). Frost damage. Insufficient binder dosage. Variation in surface compaction / finishing. Poor sands. | Partial or total repair with correct mortar applying due protection and following best practice. | |||
Water penetration. | Poor background preparation. Weak mortars. Bad detailing. |
Partial repair. Light repairs with several coats of lime wash.Rectify detailing problems. Replace if necessary. |
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