Exterior render to ground level or not?

[electricianid]

I have a soft red brick solid 9" victorian end terrace, which has been rendered in lime inside and out but stopped short of the (outside) ground level by 2 or 3 courses, but why is this necessary when there is no dpc and every component of the walls are breathable ie lime and soft red bricks?
Could'nt I just render down to the ground?

 

[MdB]

I'm not sure of the reason but my guess would be to help reduce the amount of water that gets sucked up the render.

This could be what is happening in Ian Bonds picture here:

Others will I am sure correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Matt Green]

You are not wrong. That photo is brilliant.

It increases the chances of ground water moving into the base of the wall, via the render, and evaporating either into the room spoiling your decorations or outside to the effect above. The gap allows any ground water a chance to evaporate out rather than move through render or internal plaster.


Matt

 

[Nemesis]

It's splashing up surely - no guttering and water running from the thatch.

Depends what that cottage is built from - if it's cob then it wouldn't be wise to leave it exposed.

 

[Ian Bond]

You are not wrong. That photo is brilliant.

Matt

Thanks Matt - I am a brilliant photographer as well as everything else. But maybe next time I'll try and cut the Wheelie Bin out of the shot !!!!!!

The cottage is a lime rendered mixture of cob and stone. I wonder if the render has been deliberately taken down to ground level to give extra protection to the cob, and act as a sacrificial element?

 

[Nemesis]

Yup, suspect so.

 

[electricianid]

Thanks for everyones thoughts on my question. I think I am understanding it right, I guess that while the bricks are quite porous they are not as porous as the lime render thereby not promoting as much capilliary movement. In short maintain a gap between render and ground level.

 

[Penners]

Sounds dead right to me.