Breaking The Final Rule Of Lime…

[aockenden]

NEVER do external lime work in temps at or below freezing!

Well I’m going to do it anyways. Scratch coat rendering in -2 degrees. Let’s see what happens…

2 parts washed medium grit sand, 1 part NHL 3.5, plus some sheepswool for fiber. About 1 cm average thickness.

I’ll provide updates over the next few days. Anyone have any predictions as to what will happen? Will it fall off the wall? Crumble into dust at the slightest touch? Crack into a billion sections on the wall?

 

[fernicarry]

I had to do a teeny bit of lime mortar a couple of days ago so that I could fit the facings on my new door frame. So far it looks ok...

Horrible weather to work outside in. I can only manage about 30 mins before going back inside to thaw out.

 

[aockenden]

I had to do a teeny bit of lime mortar a couple of days ago so that I could fit the facings on my new door frame. So far it looks ok...

Horrible weather to work outside in. I can only manage about 30 mins before going back inside to thaw out.

My hands definitely were getting stiff and numb working the trowel for 2+ hours straight. Out of curiosity, was your lime hydraulic or not?

 

[fernicarry]

Its NHL 3.5.

Wondering if I should keep spraying it? On the one hand the water will be warmer than the wall at the time I spray it, but it won't stay that way for long...

 

[aockenden]

Its NHL 3.5.

Wondering if I should keep spraying it? On the one hand the water will be warmer than the wall at the time I spray it, but it won't stay that way for long...

Yes true, not sure what would be the best approach. I think I will spray mine down once the forecast is clear of more freezing temps.

 

[aockenden]

Here’s the morning update. I think we hit -3 or -4 overnight. I see some minor cracking which honestly looks identical to typical shrinkage cracks. Other than that, nothing seems amiss. The render is quite firm / leathery (typical for an NHL 3.5 applied 12 - 24 hours ago). It’s not turning to dust when I tap it and it doesn’t sound hollow or snappy like it’s delaminated from the substrate.