Lime instead of cement

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so...i went to cheltenham yesterday for a brief 1 day insight into lath and lime plaster/render, have to say i'm quite taken with it so far but now am awash with bits of info that i'm trying to straighten out in my head but overall i left not really knowing why sand and cement is used these days other than to speed things up albeit at the expense of some of the benefits that using lime gives.

any comments?
 
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I went on a "lime plaster for plasterers" course at cressing temple last year. it was done through the local county council, the guy running it was a mine of information, tips, Demos, examples etc - worth ten times what it cost!
I'm was expecting everyone else there to know a lot, but in fact everone i spoke to had never used it, and knew very little (problably why they went!)
Personally I prefer with lime now(either putty or NHL), With putty you get much longer to work it than with Gypsum, And the finishes can be better in some cases.
I think also that there is less physical work involved with gypsum. the rubbing-up time means and finish coats will take far longer than the same area using Thistle. Also knocking up takes quite a bit of effort.

Less and less people out there know much about it at all it seems. but the health benifits are clear - also so are the savings to yourself. If you can store it in your shed, you'll never waste any plaster again, chuck it back in the tub and knock it back up when you need it.
 
Hi Morrik!

I agrre in that the course was money well spent! and trying to find a project round the house to have a go at using lime now, maybe even plasetering/skimming internal walls, ever considered using lime to float and set?

seems like the main difference/obstacle is the cost to the customer, not something you can offer as a viable alternative to the everyday person in a modern house unless they have a particular desire for lime but i doubt i'll be coming across anyone like that anytime soon.

sounds like you've done a bit of lime work since the course?

i've heard nothing about the health benefits, enlighten me! heard a bit about how much better for the environment it is than Gypsum tho.
 
Sounds like a good idea if you`ve got a period property renovator in your area, to sub for. My son learned to handle the trowel with lime mortar in his Father-in-Law`s garage . They set up a few angles etc. off the block wall. Put it on -scraped it off-and livened it up again the next day. The old boy has been on the trowel for ever ;) . Now I get ceilings de-artexed @ home for free :idea: .
 
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The course I did in Dorset was a real eye opener in terms of mixing ratio's and applications with lime putty especially.The curing times are phenominal but the only downsides to me seem to be that keeping it damp before, during and after application and you have to be carefull if you're going to paint it i.e with distemper or limewash only, If it's applied to a listed building then fine but as an alternative to gypsum float and set or render and skim finish I'me not sure. I found that a batten fixed to the ceiling and wet sackcloth hung down the lime plastered walls saves a lot of time re- visiting to dampen down to preventing cracking
 
ah good idea dave!

don't think it will ever replace thistle products for modern internal work, what about external render jobs though? using hydraulic lime instead of cement
 
Hi Morrik!

, ever considered using lime to float and set?


sounds like you've done a bit of lime work since the course?

i've heard nothing about the health benefits, enlighten me! heard a bit about how much better for the environment it is than Gypsum tho.

Hi Trowel Monkey, I've done a few projects with lime since, A family member needed quite a lot of work done in their victorian terrace, we took all the bad plaster back to brick and used NHL and sand to float all the new areas, then skimmed the whole room (less the ceiling) with putty and play sand. very satifying indeed. But ALOT of work!

Also repaired a few Lath and plaster ceilings and walls for friends. Currently helping two friends renovate an old cottage whick needs a lot of work doing to it. By no means a pro, but getting some nice results. and a warm fuzzy feeling afterwards! :D

As far as the health benefits go, it's more a personal opinion, when you think about lime breathing, there is more chance for the walls to dry out on both sides, So if it's a bit damp, then theres less chance of it staying damp and going mouldy, no mould means healthier - if you see what i mean?!??
 
Hi Trowelmonkey1, I've tried that and it still needs a lot of controlling,as Morrick post's I must admit it is a pleasure using traditional methods but the only warm fuzzy feeling I get is when the customer coughs up :LOL:
 

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