rendering in winter months Brickwork, drystone walling, render are a few subjects covered here. Click here to post questions and get answers

[dan007]

I have rendered my house using 2 coat render method 4 to 1 washed sand cement scratch coat 5 to 1 top coat I soaked the walls 1st added 3in1 waterproofer retarder and plasticiser as advised worked perfect.,
Do I need to do any thing different on my last wall as its now winter I was advised not to use the 3in1 additive like last time but use feb wintamix by local builders merchants is this correct or is there a better product /method for winter render or am i worrying about nothing have made sure to keep bulk sand bag covered with tarpaulin sheet to protect from frost please advise many thanks

[stoneyboy]

dan007,
Do use some form of frost proofer in your mix and try not to carry out the rendering when frost is forecast. Frost can remain deep in your bags of bulk sand for days - check for lumps of frozen sand or you will be re-doing the rendering.
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[dan007]

thanks for your help much appreciated

[welsh brickie]

Do not render if the temperature is below 3 degrees you have to take into account the fall in temperature at night as the render is drying out.
If you can, build a fire next to the sand this will help to thaw the sand out
and always cover it at night.
Frostproofer only sets the render quicker it doesent really help much.

[dan007]

would feb wintamix help i know some bickies who use this in winter

[stoneyboy]

dan007,
Wintamix claims to protect to -4deg C, most other frostproofers make similar claims. If you are going to render in the winter cover your work with sheets hessian or similar which will keep the frost off. If there is an air temperature of -4deg C surface temperatures may be considerably lower.
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[TheDoctor5]

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