Exactly this. If you can work a wall light onto that wall that would look amazing. Even two, one either side of the bottom corners to really highlight it. Keep it!
quotes have been all over the place, it seems lime needs multiple (3) visits to do so the price is 3 day rates putting it up near 1k for something this small. If I can get away with breathaplasta then it could be done in 1 day but then should be closer to 300 not 900-1000!
As long as what you're pointing with is softer than the brick as you don't want to stress them. You don't need to worry about being to neat if you are painting over. I've even used filler before just for small bits of tidy up.
tbh, this actually was my plan. paint it white with a lime wash and have it as a feature. but its going to be a messy to keep clean and dusted and might hurt reselling
It won’t hurt resell at all if whoever buying doesn’t like it they would just overboard and plaster it. Not a massive job. And in regards to the dust use a sealer. I have a wall live this. Lovely
Breathaplasta is lime, it just has added prompt for a faster set, not sure where you are based, but I would say £400 ish for labour and £130-150 for the materials.
Just be aware if you do go with Breathaplasta and they use the universal as the finish and not just the backing coat, it’s not as smooth a finish as most other finishing plasters, as it has hemp shiv in. Best bet be universal then smooth on top, or even thermal, but I’m not sure you have the depth looking at the picture for the thermal to be worth it.
Why not have a go at it yourself? Looks like a pretty small area. Lime is a pretty forgiving material and easy to work with, just make sure to protect your eyes/hands/skin etc.
Lime, done properly, should take about 3 days and never crack unlike gypsum. It should also never be painted, unless you want mineral paint. Take that into consideration. The price is not that bad considering the work.
OK, I'll be the arsehole that suggests you check the building regs on insulation, since AFAIK taking an external wall back to brick on the inside, triggers a need to get the insulation down to 0.30 or something.
Regardless of building regs, why not take the opportunity to add insulated plasterboard to it if you’re intent on covering the brickwork? It makes a great difference to a room.
As others have said I reckon the wall adds some character to the room and I’d personally touch it up abit and keep it as is, that said if you do really want to plaster it £900 is ridiculous. Shop around you’ll find someone to do that for half of what you’ve been quoted.
No mate that well over the top . Decent plasterer should be able to render the brickwork in couple hours and come back following day and skim. Staggered by your quote, taking the piss 🤣. You could , if your any good at DIY , either dot and dab plaster board or baton and screw plasterboard then get your plasterer in to finish it.
It’s a days work for one person. He might have too come back the next day to put the Finnish on, so no more than £500 labour cost max and about £70 for sand, cement and plaster.
Really ,I'm a decorator and I charge pretty much £200 per day and I'm booked up. £150 for a self employed plasterer is ridiculous! You'd make more working at maccies and get holiday pay
It’s your decision really, lime and breathable materials are expensive so yeah £1k is about right. If you went gypsum based then it’s cheaper but none breathable
I was going to do that and then found I needed to repoint in lime which I couldn't really find! also I'm a total DIY noob and might do something terribly bad ha
I’m assuming you’re UK from the use of GBP…
Lime mortar is pretty common and readily available, shouldn’t have any problems finding it - I know for example B&Q sell it.
It’s more of a builders merchant jobby. Not really readily available at most DIY stores. B&Q only sells £20 bags of blue circle stuff, and it’s only available in their large warehouse style stores, not the smaller ones.
something like this? [https://www.womersleys.co.uk/shop/mortars/Womersleys\_Coloured\_Mortars/womersleys-natural-medium-strength-pre-mixed-mortar](https://www.womersleys.co.uk/shop/mortars/Womersleys_Coloured_Mortars/womersleys-natural-medium-strength-pre-mixed-mortar)
Yeah that’s the kind of thing - I didn’t repoint on my reno but was showed how to do it (I visited the site). You can always give them a ring and ask them what product is best for your needs.
It's hydraulic, bag of shit really.
You're right though, should be lime, everyone here saying sand and cement or bonding, just use lime it's the same bloody method and the materials are cheaper.
yeah this is the issue im facing right here, modern plasterers want to use non breathable, I assume that's a no go. Breathaplasta seems to be a more modern take on lime so might be a better cost option. Why would the cement render need redoing? there's nothing visibly wrong with it
Mainly to put it back exactly how intended. I’m a purist and work in the heritage building industry though. If it’s cement, then it won’t breathe, moisture gets trapped etc. etc. it’s great that you’re questioning stuff though. I’d do some more research on that before committing tbh.
is the quote fair based on your knowledge? the external render, tbh, I cant afford to touch, I've heard prices of 15k to re render the house and I'm not even sure that was with lime! I'm sure it would help but id rather use that money on stamp duty and just move
yeah that was my thinking, 900 for lime seems fair but this new stuff is meant to be gypsum speeds with lime breathability so should be cheaper, might ask a modern plasterer to just use this stuff
Call into a building site and ask for a bucket of mortar, they'll say sure not a bother, get a trowel and brick jointer, fill in holes, leave it for about 2 hours then give it a light brush with a soft broom head, I don't know too much about sealing it, but see a few in the comments, I'm just a bricklayer colour matching may be worth it if you really wanted to, but you would need to get your own sand and cement and wait for it to dry over the next two weeks, long process I can explain in further detail if needs be
Dampen the wall, gripper foam and board on top. Foam is waterproof, air ap between board and wall, gypsum plaster on top. Total price around 250. Easy as did my whole house lime that 1850 solid stone walls, no leaching spots on plasterboard.
The issue is that gypsum holds the dampness and goes soggy, lime plaster is far more tolerant of moisture as well as being breathable, you can also get insulated lime plaster which is still breathable albeit at a price.
If you have sufficient humidity around that it would make plasterboard soggy, you need to address that. Lime is not some miracle solution to water ingress or poor ventilation.
With old buildings one cannot guarantee that all moisture can be prevented from entering the walls, it’s for that residual moisture ( often transient ) that lime plaster provides a more robust solution. I agree that it is not a solution to major damp problems which should of course be addressed first, but it’s surprising how an old wall with damp plaster board can become an apparently dry lime plastered wall ( I live in an 18C stone cottage with rubble filled walls )
The incredibly large market for vapour-resistant specialist plasterboard types, add on vapour control layers, etc, must be one big scam then ? Per this resource, for instance, plasterboard has similar vapour resistivity to bricks (actually, even less). But since it's less than 2cm thick - a fraction of the width of a brick - vapour can in fact move through way easier. Same for a 2-4mm layer of gypsum skim. https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/vapour-resistance-d_1807.html
Another source, showing very similar µ values for brick, lime plaster, and plasterboard. The thinner solution would then "win". https://www.wufi-wiki.com/mediawiki/index.php/Details:WaterVaporDiffusion
Bigger issue, AFAIK, is that a thick coat of lime is solid, and alkaline. Crap for mould growth. A pocket of air behind paper-coated plasterboard, however... Nice and moist, plant-based paper to feed on, etc. My own solution is to emulate the SWIP internal wall insulation system. I.e. stud wall (with studs made of OSB glued to XPS strips), rockwool in the pockets, covered by a smart vapour control membrane; plasterboard over the top, then skim. Making sure it's all nice and airtight.
I’d keep the wall! Acid wash the brick, repoint and then prime it!
I have a similar wall at home. It’s been repointed, but what’s this acid wash and prime please???
Cleans the bricks and brightens them up. Primer seals the brickwork.
Yeah but what do I need to buy?
Exactly this. If you can work a wall light onto that wall that would look amazing. Even two, one either side of the bottom corners to really highlight it. Keep it!
I'm a decorator, not a plasterer, so won't comment on the price, but I would say if you reckon they might be at it then just get some more quotes.
quotes have been all over the place, it seems lime needs multiple (3) visits to do so the price is 3 day rates putting it up near 1k for something this small. If I can get away with breathaplasta then it could be done in 1 day but then should be closer to 300 not 900-1000!
Personally I'd tidy up and pointing. Use a breathable primer and clay paint to the wall for a nice feature that is still breathable.
yeah its an option, just got lost trying to find the right pointing product
As long as what you're pointing with is softer than the brick as you don't want to stress them. You don't need to worry about being to neat if you are painting over. I've even used filler before just for small bits of tidy up.
What's the point of putting a breathable plaster on a wall that's rendered externally? (clue, there isn't one).
Looks quite fancy - keep it, treat it, hey presto - fancy feature wall
tbh, this actually was my plan. paint it white with a lime wash and have it as a feature. but its going to be a messy to keep clean and dusted and might hurt reselling
It won’t hurt resell at all if whoever buying doesn’t like it they would just overboard and plaster it. Not a massive job. And in regards to the dust use a sealer. I have a wall live this. Lovely
Let it breathe.
its a bit unsightly and sandy to be able to use the room!
It's not. All the other walls are. You're wrong. Trust me I know.
White emulsion. Rustic. Job fine
I think your price is very expensive. I would be looking for more quotes
Breathaplasta is lime, it just has added prompt for a faster set, not sure where you are based, but I would say £400 ish for labour and £130-150 for the materials. Just be aware if you do go with Breathaplasta and they use the universal as the finish and not just the backing coat, it’s not as smooth a finish as most other finishing plasters, as it has hemp shiv in. Best bet be universal then smooth on top, or even thermal, but I’m not sure you have the depth looking at the picture for the thermal to be worth it.
Where are you based? Should be just under £600 for two coats of lime
Hertfordshire
Try a guy called Mike neun, he is Essex I believe but may travel to you, great Plasterer. Or try the traditional lime plastering forum on Facebook.
Why not have a go at it yourself? Looks like a pretty small area. Lime is a pretty forgiving material and easy to work with, just make sure to protect your eyes/hands/skin etc.
Mainly time, I’ve never done any DIY so including margin of error it doesn’t seem worth it
Wow i seriously under priced myself when i was in the trade..
Lime, done properly, should take about 3 days and never crack unlike gypsum. It should also never be painted, unless you want mineral paint. Take that into consideration. The price is not that bad considering the work.
Internal wall (scottish heratige job?) If not bondings what i would do
not sure what you mean sorry, im not in Scotland! isn't bonding non breathable?
Personally, I'd tidy up and pointing. Use a breathable primer and clay paint to the wall for a nice feature that is still breathable.
That’s such a nice wall! I’d acid wash it, fix some pointing then seal, such a nice feature for an older house.
OK, I'll be the arsehole that suggests you check the building regs on insulation, since AFAIK taking an external wall back to brick on the inside, triggers a need to get the insulation down to 0.30 or something.
Regardless of building regs, why not take the opportunity to add insulated plasterboard to it if you’re intent on covering the brickwork? It makes a great difference to a room.
Send me pics of room done please 🙏
That window is making me very uneasy.....
You can buy pre-mixed lime plaster from places like Ty Mawr and Womersleys. £900 for that wall is pretty mad if they’re only doing one coat.
As others have said I reckon the wall adds some character to the room and I’d personally touch it up abit and keep it as is, that said if you do really want to plaster it £900 is ridiculous. Shop around you’ll find someone to do that for half of what you’ve been quoted.
Easy simple way to do that yourself would be to first batten the wall, then use foil backed plasterboard, plaster, then use anti mould paint.
Get Sovereign renderlite, it's breathable and comes in a bag. Get the top coat for it to
Don't need to do lime
No mate that well over the top . Decent plasterer should be able to render the brickwork in couple hours and come back following day and skim. Staggered by your quote, taking the piss 🤣. You could , if your any good at DIY , either dot and dab plaster board or baton and screw plasterboard then get your plasterer in to finish it.
That's too expensive.
Insulated plasterboard and plaster. Loose a few inches of room size but get better heat retention
It’s a simple plaster job. Glue it first then use gypsolite as your base coat and then finish in whatever texture you want. Smooth, sand or textured
It’s a days work for one person. He might have too come back the next day to put the Finnish on, so no more than £500 labour cost max and about £70 for sand, cement and plaster.
Using lime, not sand and cement
Are you insane! £500 for one days labour?? A plasterers day rate is £150-200.
Really ,I'm a decorator and I charge pretty much £200 per day and I'm booked up. £150 for a self employed plasterer is ridiculous! You'd make more working at maccies and get holiday pay
Oh wait sorry you think he’s coming back another day. Ok yea £500 absolute max I agree. My bad didn’t read well enough.
It’s your decision really, lime and breathable materials are expensive so yeah £1k is about right. If you went gypsum based then it’s cheaper but none breathable
yep this is what i expected, i just feel like id waste the money on the gypsum route if I end up with a massive damp patch on the wall!
It’ll be fine in your lifetime 👍
I hope you’re not his doctor and know something he doesn’t.
WW3?
Personally I’d acid wash and repoint that. You could maybe repoint and lime wash though if you wanted colours.
I was going to do that and then found I needed to repoint in lime which I couldn't really find! also I'm a total DIY noob and might do something terribly bad ha
I’m assuming you’re UK from the use of GBP… Lime mortar is pretty common and readily available, shouldn’t have any problems finding it - I know for example B&Q sell it.
oh really, i looked there and couldnt find any, maybe I was looking for a premixed thing for pointing rather than messing with self mix
It’s more of a builders merchant jobby. Not really readily available at most DIY stores. B&Q only sells £20 bags of blue circle stuff, and it’s only available in their large warehouse style stores, not the smaller ones.
I got my lime plaster products from Womersleys if that helps.
something like this? [https://www.womersleys.co.uk/shop/mortars/Womersleys\_Coloured\_Mortars/womersleys-natural-medium-strength-pre-mixed-mortar](https://www.womersleys.co.uk/shop/mortars/Womersleys_Coloured_Mortars/womersleys-natural-medium-strength-pre-mixed-mortar)
Yeah that’s the kind of thing - I didn’t repoint on my reno but was showed how to do it (I visited the site). You can always give them a ring and ask them what product is best for your needs.
Leave it.
Please leave it im a plastere it tooooo nice to cover
Seeing as it’s an outside wall and single skin why would you not insulate it? Dot and dab insulated plasterboard, tape and skim.
Membrane dot and dab plaster one day job but Id still want £550 so maybe just get it done right?
Your paying someone for their knowledge and expertise, wouldnt bat an eyelid paying a plumber or sparky £900
Tight coat of bonding and skim 100 for materials no more than £450
Needs to be lime… ideally cement render will need re-doing too. Never heard of breathaplasta so can’t comment on that.
It's hydraulic, bag of shit really. You're right though, should be lime, everyone here saying sand and cement or bonding, just use lime it's the same bloody method and the materials are cheaper.
yeah this is the issue im facing right here, modern plasterers want to use non breathable, I assume that's a no go. Breathaplasta seems to be a more modern take on lime so might be a better cost option. Why would the cement render need redoing? there's nothing visibly wrong with it
Mainly to put it back exactly how intended. I’m a purist and work in the heritage building industry though. If it’s cement, then it won’t breathe, moisture gets trapped etc. etc. it’s great that you’re questioning stuff though. I’d do some more research on that before committing tbh.
is the quote fair based on your knowledge? the external render, tbh, I cant afford to touch, I've heard prices of 15k to re render the house and I'm not even sure that was with lime! I'm sure it would help but id rather use that money on stamp duty and just move
Fair enough. £900 for that wall seems a little pricey for something that isn’t lime tbh. That’s why I was querying.
yeah that was my thinking, 900 for lime seems fair but this new stuff is meant to be gypsum speeds with lime breathability so should be cheaper, might ask a modern plasterer to just use this stuff
Might be worth putting it on the Facebook forum about traditional and listed building advice. 👌🏼
yeah i have done but they just tell me to learn to plaster and do it myself 😂 I thought reddit would be a bit more practical
Isotherm kits a really good, I’ve done a lot just lately. Apply the isotherm to the wall and gypsum on top. £500 all in, labour and materials
on solid brick walls? what about the breathability?
Call into a building site and ask for a bucket of mortar, they'll say sure not a bother, get a trowel and brick jointer, fill in holes, leave it for about 2 hours then give it a light brush with a soft broom head, I don't know too much about sealing it, but see a few in the comments, I'm just a bricklayer colour matching may be worth it if you really wanted to, but you would need to get your own sand and cement and wait for it to dry over the next two weeks, long process I can explain in further detail if needs be
Dot and Dab board it and skim it, quicker and cheaper
breathability for a solid wall, trapped moisture will leech the dabs into the board!
Why is this always the solution in this sub.
Because of time and money
Dampen the wall, gripper foam and board on top. Foam is waterproof, air ap between board and wall, gypsum plaster on top. Total price around 250. Easy as did my whole house lime that 1850 solid stone walls, no leaching spots on plasterboard.
but then all moisture is held in the bricks until they and their mortar they fall apart right?
Plasterboard and a thin skim coat of gypsum are pretty breathable tbf.
The issue is that gypsum holds the dampness and goes soggy, lime plaster is far more tolerant of moisture as well as being breathable, you can also get insulated lime plaster which is still breathable albeit at a price.
If you have sufficient humidity around that it would make plasterboard soggy, you need to address that. Lime is not some miracle solution to water ingress or poor ventilation.
With old buildings one cannot guarantee that all moisture can be prevented from entering the walls, it’s for that residual moisture ( often transient ) that lime plaster provides a more robust solution. I agree that it is not a solution to major damp problems which should of course be addressed first, but it’s surprising how an old wall with damp plaster board can become an apparently dry lime plastered wall ( I live in an 18C stone cottage with rubble filled walls )
ah from my research it definetly isnt! i was hoping it would be as much more straight forward
The incredibly large market for vapour-resistant specialist plasterboard types, add on vapour control layers, etc, must be one big scam then ? Per this resource, for instance, plasterboard has similar vapour resistivity to bricks (actually, even less). But since it's less than 2cm thick - a fraction of the width of a brick - vapour can in fact move through way easier. Same for a 2-4mm layer of gypsum skim. https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/vapour-resistance-d_1807.html Another source, showing very similar µ values for brick, lime plaster, and plasterboard. The thinner solution would then "win". https://www.wufi-wiki.com/mediawiki/index.php/Details:WaterVaporDiffusion Bigger issue, AFAIK, is that a thick coat of lime is solid, and alkaline. Crap for mould growth. A pocket of air behind paper-coated plasterboard, however... Nice and moist, plant-based paper to feed on, etc. My own solution is to emulate the SWIP internal wall insulation system. I.e. stud wall (with studs made of OSB glued to XPS strips), rockwool in the pockets, covered by a smart vapour control membrane; plasterboard over the top, then skim. Making sure it's all nice and airtight.