Masonry paint or cement wash

[Anonymous]

We have just got the survey on a late 1920/early 1930 propert we would like to buy. The exterior brick wills are all painted white with many layers of paint which is starting to flake off. The survey says that "masonry paint appears to have been applied over a cement wash which may have been the original wall finish." It continues "the backing to the masonry paint appears to be dusty and the paint coating will deterioate further". Is this likely - the cement wash being there and being original - re the age of the property. It is not in the country, has cavity walls and there is no damp in the house.
Is cement wash the same as lime wash ?. I know you can remove the masonry paint with chemicals but not sure about the cement wash.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering how much difference it makes in practice whether the first coat is cement wash or not, either way its falling off.

I'd probably wire brush then lime putty paint it. The lime acts to bond whats left behind together as well as forming a paint finish. 50/50 lime putty and water. It takes a couple of days to firm up, so avoid heavy rain until then.

NT

 

[Anonymous]

"It takes a couple of days to firm up, so avoid heavy rain until then."

How?

 

[Anonymous]

Well, checking a weather forecast to see youre not in for torrential rain might work.

NT

 

[Anonymous]

Such faith !!!!!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Not really, they might not be able to tell a bit of drizzle but you cant miss the conditions for torrential rain.

Well... it has happened, the famous last words of Mr Fish before that storm... heh. But not often, so little chance of decor ruination, and easy and costs almost nothing to reapply it after that once per 20 years error.

No use expecting insurance underwritten guarantees and clinical tests on historic technologies.

NT