K Rend

[Farorchard]

Has anyone any experience of this product?
We had planned to re-render out 17th centry cottage with lime..but have been told of this product...any info welcome..it's a big job and we want to do it right.

Thanks
Nellie

 

[Gervase]

Don't use K Rend - it's a cement-based treatment that will accelerate damage to structural timbers in your house. K Rend is a one-coat, self-coloured render which is perfect (if expensive) for new builds, but it should not in any circumstances be used on a period property. Period.
The only render you should consider using is lime; it's breathable, flexible, weathertight and will not damage the building.

 

[Farorchard]

Thanks for your adivice.....it pretty much fits what I thought myself
.........we need to find a lime specialist....but I think they are put off by having to remove all the old concrete render that someone with half a brain put on this house years ago. Unless of course we do it ourselves...not the lime..removing the render!

 

[biffvernon]

Do the lime work yourself as well. That way you become a specialist (and it might be quicker than finding someone else ).

 

[JMartin]

Hi Nellie

Have a read at this:

http://periodpropertyshop.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8509

I think we're in a similar boat.

We have been told not to attempt to remove any cement render that is stuck fast as it will do more damage removing it than leaving it on. Have been told this by several builders, a lime render company, Historic Scotland and the folks here.

 

[DaveBrigg]

I've just removed the cement render from a gable wall with unexpected ease. It had been put on over several coats of limewash, which may have helped. Near the top of a ladder, at full extension, I was dreading taking a hammer to the last six feet. Two taps, a blur of falling chunks and a large crash later and the wall was stripped bare. Having removed the cement though, I discovered why it had been put up - to hide a crack that in places I could put my fist into

 

[DaveBrigg]

I opened my big mouth too soon. Having a couple of trowels of mortar spare this afternoon, I decided to patch a crack in the cement render next to the kitchen window. The cement was loose and begging to be pulled out, and a couple of pokes with a screwdriver later I had the situation below.

The bricks behind were so soft that they turned to dust when touched. By the time I found something firm enough to take the weight of a dab of mortar the hole was a little larger.

I assume that the crack had been letting in water for years, gradually turning the bricks into mush, although fortunately the window frame is in pretty good shape.

 

[biffvernon]

Nice advert for the longevity of wooden windows

 

[Ian Bond]

And also a nice advert for the 'benefits' of cement render!

These 'just a little crack' jobs always seem to turn into 'oh sugar, now I've got a massive hole to repair (before the wife sees it)' drama. It's getting a bit nippy for that amount of ventilation now

But that's not too bad - a few bits of brick and some lime mortar will sort that out. And a nice lime render to cover and protect it properly.

Like the windows by the way - obviously as sturdy as they look. Nice example of black and white painting too, really shows em off.

 

[DaveBrigg]

'oh sugar, now I've got a massive hole to repair (before the wife sees it)'

Uncanny - you're almost word perfect. The windows are great - one of the few parts of the house that haven't needed much work, despite their age and the fact that they haven't been painted for at least seven years.

 

[BMcD]

I agree with Gervase regarding K Rend.
St Astier have a range of a products, which are lime based and a direct response to the likes of to K Rend.

http://www.stastier.co.uk/data.htm

However given the type of property you have, an air lime render and limewash would be more in keeping I feel, rather than a through colour render.