Half-timbered farmhouse in Surrey
Originally 15th century, the house was added to with a first floor in the 17th century and further additions in the 19th century. After many years of neglect the new owners wanted to repair all blown, cracked plaster and remove any cement-based ‘repairs’ as well as some alterations.
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Working closely with the project architect, a plan was put together and materials decided on. Our job was all lime based work.
Once the other trades had done what they needed to do to allow us to get going we went in and started on the ceilings. Upstairs, all the beams had been exposed, meaning that we would need to fix laths between the timbers for the lime plaster.
Using a lime putty mix, the process takes three coats for application onto the laths and brick backgrounds. The first coat was haired – as with all ceilings extra hair must be added to give extra strength. Once this had cured, we could apply the second coarse coat (float coat). While this float coat is still ‘green,’ hard enough not to put a finger impression in but still able to mark with a finger nail, the final topcoat of fine lime putty plaster is applied and finished with a sponge to give a subtle texture. Before applying any coat
e had the pleasure of working on a half-timbered farmhouse in Surrey.
the background must be dampened to help prevent the plaster from ‘sucking’ too much.
Haired coat 10/12mm thick (scratch coat) Coarse coat (float coat) 8/10mm (devil scratch, small circular motion) Topcoat 3/4mm (steel float/sponge finish)
Repointing of the fireplace and chimney was done using a lime mortar. In order to do this a sample of the original mortar was sent off for analysis in order to get the correct colour and aggregate mix.
After raking out the joints where needed with a plugging chisel, taking care not to damage any of the original soft brick, I then mixed the mortar as per the analysis report and carefully repoint with a flush joint finish.
On the outside of the property the hard cement based render was removed by another contractor which allowed us to re- render in lime. The trouble with cement based renders on old properties with soft brick is the damage that is caused when removing the render, it can and will pull the face of the brick off. Using a forced action pan mixer the materials are thoroughly mixed. For the render we used a natural hydraulic lime with specific sands appropriate for the building.
The process starts with ‘dubbing out’ to fill the larger holes that have been created when removing the render, this is done to get a more even base for the following coats. After this dubbing out the second scratch coat (float coat) can be applied, ensuring it is level and upright. When the scratch coat has gone off and is still green the final top coat is applied. Damping down between coats is vital as well as covering with hessian to protect the lime render from drying out too fast from heat, direct sunlight and wind. Hessian is also used to protect from frosts – work is not to be carried out if the temperatures are likely to fall below five degrees Celsius.
For further information contact: Sussex Lime Plastering David Ayre Tel: 01903 773690 Mob: 07775 576808
info@sussexlimeplastering.com
www.sussexlimeplastering.com
Listed Heritage Magazine January/February 2020 101
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