rendering

[rb3490]

Hi, I'm about to render my small outside garden wall ( Brick )..wondering about mix I should use and how thick..one or two coats ..pva or not e.t.c
cheers

 

[r896neo]

probably better moving this to plastering.

 

[roy c]

Ok you are going to render your "brick" wall. Has the brick wall got any algae,mud,paint,dirt, or soil on it? If not then as long as it is not engineering brick, or glazed brick then all it will need is a "damping" down. (Not a complete soaking so the water runs off it). Not knowing what mix the mortar is between the bricks then I would knock up 5-1 or 6-1 mix with w/proofer in, as a scratch coat. (Others may disagree but this is the method I have used for years with no ill effect) and lay that on. Then next day (or when you are ready to float-coat it) knock up a mix of 6-1-1 (sand,lime cement) dampen again (not soak it) then spread it and screed it up (or not ) then float it out. When it is ready and if you want then sponge it up. Now this is where it is easy to tell you the method and system but the experience comes in when it is right to float and sponge.This is the part when an experienced "spread" knows when he can. And if you have'nt had any experience with a float then all I can advise is to leave it as long as you can before putting a float on it. If you are doing it this time of the year then the cold air and the atmosphere will also determine the "set" and floating time so like I said before if you have no experience of "floating" then wait a few months then have a go...