The outside of our house is rendered in lime with horse hair in it. (From what I can gather.) over the 9 months we have been here what started off as small hair line cracks seem to have grown and widened. Is this normal? Of not and I need to get it fixed how would it be done?
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skier-hughes
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How long ago was it done?
How was it cared for after it was finished?
How many coats were put on?
What time of year was it completed?
Cracking can be caused by house movement, too much for the plaster to cope with.
Using too wet a mix
drying out too quickly
Often cracks should be pushed back together as they first start, so not allowing them to get too large and by keeping the finish damp and allowing it too dry out very slowly.
How was it cared for after it was finished?
How many coats were put on?
What time of year was it completed?
Cracking can be caused by house movement, too much for the plaster to cope with.
Using too wet a mix
drying out too quickly
Often cracks should be pushed back together as they first start, so not allowing them to get too large and by keeping the finish damp and allowing it too dry out very slowly.
skier-hughes
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Can you see any movement inside the house?
Whereabouts are the cracks, maybe some pictures would help.
Do you know who did it?
A company?
If so, speaking with them to find out the mix used might be of help, in case it wasn't pure lime etc.
Also, they may have guaranteed it in some way?
Whereabouts are the cracks, maybe some pictures would help.
Do you know who did it?
A company?
If so, speaking with them to find out the mix used might be of help, in case it wasn't pure lime etc.
Also, they may have guaranteed it in some way?
Lime plaster will only crack soon after application or as it cures or until it is cured which could be quite a few days after application depending on weather condition.
If the cracks are widening after all these months it could be the underlaying strata onto which the plaster is applied that may be moving. If this is the case the cracking pattern will be one of straight lines either vertical, horizontal or at about 45deg.
If the crack pattern is at a very "crazing" random ( ie- not linear) then the plaster may be at fault.
Middi
If the cracks are widening after all these months it could be the underlaying strata onto which the plaster is applied that may be moving. If this is the case the cracking pattern will be one of straight lines either vertical, horizontal or at about 45deg.
If the crack pattern is at a very "crazing" random ( ie- not linear) then the plaster may be at fault.
Middi
skier-hughes
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Can you now give us a whole wall picture and just point out where those close ups are on the wall?
What is underneath the lime?
I'm thinking it might be a case of dig the cracks out so that they are wide enough to put a proper repair of lime in, but maybe waiting until next spring might be your best bet.
What is underneath the lime?
I'm thinking it might be a case of dig the cracks out so that they are wide enough to put a proper repair of lime in, but maybe waiting until next spring might be your best bet.
skier-hughes said:
Yep I'll get the full wall picture tomorrow when it's light. I believe that underneath is brick, I'm not sure that the people who renovated where experienced in working with lime as the builder who owned the house to renovate did most of the work himself. I think the crack in the first picture may have had some sort of repair done to it before we moved in as the area around it appears smoother than the rest of the wall.
Zebra
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Mine has developed hairline cracks - would simply applying limewash over them help to seal them up?
skier-hughes
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When we see in context it'll be easier to say, but they don't appear to be minor cracks to me. Not major life threatening either! so don't panic!!!!!!
Limewashing will certainly do no harm and can be done now if the weather stays dry and again doesn't freeze.
Limewashing will certainly do no harm and can be done now if the weather stays dry and again doesn't freeze.
88v8
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How old is the house?
Is that wall brick, or half-timber?
Ivor
Is that wall brick, or half-timber?
Ivor
skier-hughes
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I'd suggest monitoring them over the winter to see if they grow.
Following this, you can then make a decision.
Following this, you can then make a decision.
If lime render ( or any other render) has been applied to a traditional timber framed building it is only a matter of time before cracks will appear. The crack lines, as per your photo's, are one directional ie-- in a straight(ish) line which indicates distortion or slight movement of the wall upon which render is applied. Older historic buildings tends to suffer ( sooner or later) from cracked render applied across their surfaces as they are " permanently" on the move.
Lime " shrinking" render does not crack in a " continuous" line as in your situation but more likely in a very random ( like crazy paving) pattern. If your building is of timber frame construction and render has been applied to it, the only way to avoid " crack lines" if there is absolutely NO movement in the wood frame.
Obviously you have to determine exactly why that plaster has cracked before any remedial action can be taken.
Middi
Lime " shrinking" render does not crack in a " continuous" line as in your situation but more likely in a very random ( like crazy paving) pattern. If your building is of timber frame construction and render has been applied to it, the only way to avoid " crack lines" if there is absolutely NO movement in the wood frame.
Obviously you have to determine exactly why that plaster has cracked before any remedial action can be taken.
Middi
88v8
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If you are able to contact the PO, perhaps he would tell you in general terms what's under there. I suspect many of us viewing this topic are suspecting the same thing.... 
Ivor
Ivor
Ok two months later and an update after some researching.
The cracks don't appear much, if any bigger. Thankfully no real hard frosts yet, the prospect of freeze thaw would not be welcome one!
The house was bought by the previous owner in a very dilapidated state and an awful lot of work was carried out. Including replacing and re-enforcing much of the roof and replacing a wall plate below the wall with the majority of the cracks as the previous one had rotted away. I have spoken to a local carpenter who carried out a lot of work on the property and he is confident that what we are seeing is settlement cracks as the building settles to its permenant position. He is says it is quite common.
Some context on the cracking, the pictures I posted may not have been a good guide to scale. It is a small house! The largest crack is just under 1mm. The others would be described as hairline and most are barely visible unless you get close.
I'm planning to keep an eye on them for a few months more until the spring and if no further movement then I plan to fill the big ones with lime putty and possible lime wash over the small ones. The problem is I doubt the lime wash will be the same colour so my have re paint the whole thing. (Which wouldn't be too major)
Had anyone got any advice or links I can read through regarding lime putty filler and lime washing? I've got a few months to do some research!
The cracks don't appear much, if any bigger. Thankfully no real hard frosts yet, the prospect of freeze thaw would not be welcome one!
The house was bought by the previous owner in a very dilapidated state and an awful lot of work was carried out. Including replacing and re-enforcing much of the roof and replacing a wall plate below the wall with the majority of the cracks as the previous one had rotted away. I have spoken to a local carpenter who carried out a lot of work on the property and he is confident that what we are seeing is settlement cracks as the building settles to its permenant position. He is says it is quite common.
Some context on the cracking, the pictures I posted may not have been a good guide to scale. It is a small house! The largest crack is just under 1mm. The others would be described as hairline and most are barely visible unless you get close.
I'm planning to keep an eye on them for a few months more until the spring and if no further movement then I plan to fill the big ones with lime putty and possible lime wash over the small ones. The problem is I doubt the lime wash will be the same colour so my have re paint the whole thing. (Which wouldn't be too major)
Had anyone got any advice or links I can read through regarding lime putty filler and lime washing? I've got a few months to do some research!