Wash your render like you wash your windows
Windows don’t need to be cleaned every single week but, like render, windows are exposed to airborne contamination and they still need to be cleaned regularly. Savage explains: “A gentle wash once or twice a year is enough to keep your render clean and fresh. Render is durable, however high-pressure power washing can damage render – a gentle spray of water is adequate.”
Keep an eye on algae
Render is not exempt from the elements; damp conditions and airborne contamination produce algae. Savage advises: “Keep an eye on the details of your house and external plumbing. Algae grows in warm, damp conditions. If present, algae needs treating first with a fungal wash, then rinsed off. Ensure the algae is properly washed away to guarantee the bacteria is killed off and removed from the site.”
Prevention is the best cure
The key with render – it’s not zero maintenance, it’s a low-maintenance product. Washing walls once a year, keeping algae at bay; these are simple steps that will significantly enhance the lifespan of your render.
What are the benefits of using render for a self-build project?
There can be nothing more advantageous for self-builders than choosing a material or system that not only saves time but will reduce project costs, is easy to apply and achieves the very highest standards of function and finish for smart new homes.
Saint-Gobain Weber manufactures a wide range of renders, but for time and speed of application, the factory-produced weberpral M monocouche render is high on the list for self-builders. This is a cementitious through-coloured render suitable for one-coat application which can be applied to brick or blockwork substrates. Produced from carefully selected raw materials, weberpral M monocouche render is formulated for pump application which allows quick and efficient installation; it can also be applied by hand. This contributes significantly to shorter programme periods, reducing associated scaffolding and site costs and permitting the completion of ground works at an earlier stage. Recent changes to the formulation of weberpral M have been designed to be fit for combat in the war against unsightly algae. Saint-Gobain Weber has worked closely with French microbiologists to understand the effect of the composition of the render and the effect that external factors have to play, such as surface condensation, temperature and rainfall.
Dual-purpose render supplies cosmetic and practical solution for facades
Render offers a superb renovation option, with flexibility being one of its greatest assets, writes Ben Warren, Managing Director at Baumit UK.
Whether it’s upholding a building’s tradition by repairing cracks and signs of ageing or giving a fresh, modern look to a dated facade, there are few surfaces this easily-applied plaster isn’t capable of improving. For older-style buildings, sleek, smooth render covers pebbledash with ease and provides an excellent alternative for old, weathered cladding. As well as style, render offers building protection to help strengthen its overall performance envelope. Baumit render is ready-mixed and tinted and available in an incredible 888 facade colours. It includes a wide range of high-quality acrylic and silicon facade renders as well as a proven self-cleaning option: Baumit NanoporTop. Containing stunning ‘photokat’ technology, the system uses natural daylight to maximise protection against pollution contamination to leave buildings looking clean and fresh. The improved consumption of Baumit’s products means there is less material waste than alternative or traditional external plasters which require mixing on site. Render has a cosmetic and practical role to play as part of a building’s facade. Its forms, textures, materials and colours give it a distinctive character, as well as year-round protection against the elements. A good render will look good for longer and negate the need for periodical and, potentially, costly maintenance or repair. With spray-applied options available, render is the easiest, most effective way of supplying a property with a smart, sustainable face. Baumit was created in 1988, following collaboration between two Austrian building materials companies. It is now one of Europe’s leading brands with a presence in more than 30 countries. Baumit’s vision is for people to live in ‘beautiful, energy-efficient and healthy homes’.
Render tips from Sika
•Design is key – make sure details, fixtures and fittings have been considered before the render is applied. It is much harder to retrofit.
•Continuity of waterproofing system – make sure you consider the whole system, i.e. walls, floor, joints etc.
•Substrate preparation is key – to the overall performance of any render system.
•Do not accept/use site batch systems – you cannot replicate factory quality on site. Sika has a pre-bagged render system with which it provides a guarantee for.
•Always use approved contractors – waterproofing is a specialty. Sika has a list of registered waterproofing contractors who are trained, assessed and experienced in correct application of the Sika Waterproofing product.
•Technical support – choose a manufacturer that can offer you support. Sika provides technical support with its Sika 1 Pre-Bagged Waterproofing Render system.
•No maintenance – one of the key benefits of the Sika 1 Pre-Bagged Waterproofing System is that it has no ongoing maintenance.
