Tembok Carpenter & Building Services
Lime rendering in Kent
Lime render lets old solid walls breathe. We remove failed cement render and re-render in lime, so moisture escapes instead of being trapped in the wall.
Why lime render instead of cement
A solid wall, one without a cavity, manages moisture by absorbing it and letting it evaporate again. Lime render is vapour open, so it works with that process. Cement render is hard and impermeable, so on an old solid wall it does the opposite: rain gets in through hairline cracks, and the wall behind cannot dry out.
That is why so much of our lime rendering work starts with removal. Blown, cracked cement render has to be hacked off carefully, without taking the face of the brickwork with it, and the wall given time to dry before anything new goes on. Removal is usually the largest part of the job.
The new render goes on in three coats: a scratch coat, a float coat and a finish coat, each given time to cure before the next. The finish can be a float texture matched to neighbouring buildings or a smoother rubbed finish, and the final surface is limewash or a breathable mineral paint rather than standard masonry paint.
Lime is the expected material on listed buildings and in many conservation areas, and it suits the Weald's weatherboarded and tile hung cottages wherever they have solid brick or stone sections. We assess the wall at a free site visit, including what is on it now and how damp it is, before quoting in writing.
- Free site visit and moisture assessment
- Cement render hacked off carefully
- Scratch, float and finish coats
- Limewash or breathable mineral paint finish
What's Included
Lime Rendering — The Tembok Way
Lime render lets old solid walls breathe. We remove failed cement render and re-render in lime, so moisture escapes instead of being trapped in the wall. Every project is designed around the space, the property and the way you live — not a catalogue.
- Failed cement render removed
- Three coat lime application
- Limewash and breathable finishes
- Textures matched to the building
Areas covered
Lime Rendering across Kent & East Sussex
FAQs
Lime Rendering — frequently asked
What is the difference between lime and cement render?
Lime render is vapour open, so moisture in a solid wall can evaporate through it. Cement render is hard and impermeable: water gets in through cracks but cannot get out, which is how damp and blown plaster start inside.
Can you render over the top of cement render?
No. Coating cement render with lime traps the same problem under a new surface. The failed render has to come off first, which is usually the largest part of the job.
How long does lime render take to cure?
Each coat needs days to weeks before the next goes on, and the finish coat cures over several weeks. It is slower than cement, and rushing it is how lime work fails.
Does lime render need repainting?
Limewash is sacrificial and wants refreshing every few years, which is part of how the system protects the wall. Breathable mineral paints last longer between coats.
Let's Talk
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