Lime plaster - the secrets of the masters

Where lime plaster is applied?

Plastering solutions based on lime can be safely attributed to the universal material.Lime plaster trim as the facades of houses and living quarters.It is not an accident: lime plaster is available, reliable and undemanding to the material of which is composed of a wall - is only afraid of water and is therefore not suitable for bathrooms and various basements, but its popularity it is practically not affected.However, in the bathroom you can use a mixture of lime with cement - the so-calleda complex solution, which hardens faster and safely transfers the impact and moisture, and temperature.

lime-based plasters are created as simple for the subsequent painting and decoration for facades.The main difference between them lies in the choice of the component with which the lime is mixed.As can be selected for the preparation of mortar?

• Gypsum.Lime plaster solution very quickly grasped, literally within 10 minutes, so it is prepared in small portions and then allowed to work.Lime-gypsum plaster used for finishing eaves, wood and stone surfaces.
• Cement.As already mentioned, when mixed with cement lime turns complex solution , suitable for humid rooms - bathrooms, basement or just the back room in the old-old house, where for years without sunlight penetrates.Since cement is expensive - lime-cement mortar is almost never used in the decoration of the new premises: it is a method exclusively repairs.
• Sand.Lime-sand plaster - the most common mix for making it suitable for almost any sand.But it is worth remembering that, depending on the type of sand, it is necessary to properly prepare: Rinse with water if it is brought from a river or the sea, or sift, if the sand is extracted away from bodies of water.
• Clay.The use of clay as a filler is not as widespread as the use of sand or plaster.Lime-clay solution used to secure layer pure clay solution, which is not very durable.

Once the master is determined with an additional component, the time comes to prepare a solution.In this process, there are some nuances that are worth knowing, then to a dozen times not to redo the same wall.

How to prepare mortar for plastering?

would seem that in the preparation of the solution is no big deal - take yes and mix lime with anything!But if it were that simple, there would be this article.Plastering of walls with lime mortar requires a lot of experience - in the work must take into account a number of points that a beginner plasterer may be unaware.

In what proportions should be used components?Each figure has its own aggregate: lime-sand mortar is prepared in a ratio of 1: 4 (1 part lime, 4 parts sand), lime and cement - about 2: 1, lime-plaster - 3: 1, etc.

What viscosity should have a solution?Identify it easy: take the spatula, which we use for mixing, and try to separate it from the solution.If the solution easily flows - the viscosity is insufficient, it is necessary to add another plasticiser.If, on the contrary, the blade could hardly resist a thick mass - means too much, it is necessary to dissolve thinner.An ideal variant is considered, when the solution falls on the thin blade - which means that it will stay on the wall well.

How quickly hardens the mixture?It depends on the choice of filler.Lime plaster solution solidifies almost instantaneously, literally within 10-15 minutes, and cement-lime is dry and fasten 2-3 days.To accelerate hardening in the last often add PVA glue.

Note that lime is quicklime and slaked .The composition includes lime plaster slaked lime, which is pre-preparing for many weeks.However, even this term does not always guarantee the quality of the solution: trapped in his outstanding pieces can already after the completion of swell and cause cracks.Therefore, often use much chopped quick-slacking lime, which is preparing for a half hour.

What to remember when working with lime plaster?

• Lime - fragile material.Before using the plastered surface, you need to give it as it should freeze.
• water in the solution is better not to add a jet, while using the spray - such as garden watering: thus washed less binder.
• Before plastering the surface is required to clean up the state of "exactly as in the desert", or lime plaster repairs costing a pretty penny.
• When hydrated lime increases in volume, so you should use a suitable container.
• For prolonged storage lime plaster loses viscosity, and after a few days of waiting has to be added to the binder solution.
• The easiest way to determine the degree of readiness plastered with lime mortar walls - notice how she blanched.

If properly use all of these tricks, you can significantly reduce repair costs and at times enhance the quality of wall decoration!