The breakdown regularly appears as a dynamic de-holding of the plaster of mortar/cement from the surface of the solid and for the most part begins with the development of little hollow zones. This condition for the most part weakens until the plaster on an entire divider gets to be unbonded and lumps exteriorly. On soffits, unbonded mortar may just tumble down in substantial pieces. The hollowness can ordinarily be distinguished by tapping on the surface with any metal protest.
The components of breakdown are difficult to understand yet ordinarily identify with mortar or cement being not able to shape great adhesion to thick cement because of the low withholding of the surface. Lightweight cement might have a high suction which additionally brings forward adhesion related issues. Stresses set up thusly, because of differential warm or dampness development between the plaster and cement, will effortlessly break the frail bond between the two materials and cause division, breakdown and bulging.
The danger of hazard is more eminent with cement containing granite or limestone, as these blends have a much lower coefficient of thermal extension than that of plastering. The warm thermal development estimation of cement blends with flint aggregates is nearer to gypsum plastering and the perils of risks is likewise lesser.
On the other hand, for all plaster systems the breakdown is most prone to take place when the structure is heated for first time or curtly after its occupation. Even concrete surfaces formed by plastic or steel faced shuttering are perhaps most at hazard of breakdown but it cannot just be understood that concrete with a uneven surface can be plastered suitably.
Release Agents and Mould Oils
Union of plaster to cement concrete could also be subdued by formwork discharge means. Chemical release means or agents work by restraining the situation of cement which can also direct to the facade of the concrete becoming dirty. Mould oils, as the name hints, can leave traces of oil on surface.
Curing agents
These are mostly applied to the shell of concrete to lessen water evaporation and thus help in the remedial process of concrete. The two major kinds are aqueous solution of metallic silicate and resin in organic solvent.
Plastering over a resin in organic solvent result like Ritecure from Weber Building Solutions is not suggested as film dumped might be weakly bonded to surface of the cement. If it turns out to be essential to plaster a facade covered with this type of mixture, the concrete can either be grit blasted or the plaster applied to extended metal lath automatically fixed to the solid.
The aqueous silicate resources might be to some extent less efficient in plummeting surface evaporation but a firm exterior layer forms on the material and the bond of resources applied afterward is not be affected.
Plastering dense concrete
Abstain from putting thick solid where conceivable yet there are methods for minimizing the dangers. Reference is made in Section 4 of BS 5492: 1990 to the utilization of holding treatment on thick solid foundations because of the low porosity, little suction and the nonappearance of a mechanical key on such surfaces.
Setting up the surface of cement mechanically by scabbling or shot impacting will evacuate any defilement of the solid surface and coarsen a even surface. Such action may enhance grip of the plaster yet won’t expand surface retention and alone might be deficient to avert breakdowns.
Concrete cannot be plastered unless it has had a rational time period to dry out after shuttering has been hit. Plastering cannot positively not begin if free liquid is there on the surface of the concrete.
But on latest building sites it is not sensible to linger until concrete has achieved air dry condition as it may consume quite few months or maybe years in case of very thick structures.
Expanded Metal Lath
Perhaps the safest choice of plastering cement is to apply plaster to extended metal lathing plugged and screwed to concrete. A drawback is that the technique can be pricey in comparison.
Plaster Thickness
The depth of the basecoat used in combination with Thistle Bond-it or any other connecting agents should not go beyond 11mm for walls and 8mm for soffits. The depth of the final coat applied above undercoat has to be 2mm.
Bonding Agents
Using of polyvinyl acetate bonding means like the Unibond is helpful but differing percentages of success were achieved. British Gypsum is now available in the market as Thistle Bond-it, which is ready mixture product used to perk up the bond of plaster to even surfaces.
Plastering Lightweight and No-fines Concrete
Completely compacted lightweight total cement has an alternate warm development value to the plaster and, when solidified, can give a dirty surface a high suction. A case of a lightweight cement is one containing Lytag total. These situations can display challenges when putting and holding treatment, for example, a PVAC holding specialist or Thistle GypPrime may offer assistance.
GypPrime stops the speedy drying out of basecoat plaster that can occur with high suction backdrops. Put Thistle GypPrime watered down with water based on the retaining capacity of the background with use of a fitting roller, brush or spray. It has to be totally engrossed and that no glossy film remnants on the surface. Begin plastering only after it is totally dry. A no-fines solid is, however, an idyllic substance to plaster. It has numerous large voids and provides an efficient mechanism for plastering.
Adhesion Tests
Adhesion tests can be done if there is uncertainty about the bond of the plaster system. The regular technique is to let the wall to dry out and dry center or cut 50mm or 75mm width circles throughout the plaster and down to the solid facade. Metal discs of the same size, and with a stranded hole, are joined to plaster loops with epoxy glue. A pull-off appliance is then joined to the metal discs with help of a threaded stud and direct stress load applied. The load at breakdown is recorded but preferably, the malfunction should happen completely inside the plaster. There is diminutive information of smallest amount bond potency of epoxy resin type breakdowns, however British Gypsum have shown that bond power of bonding plaster to concrete has to be approximately around 500kN/m² to 580kN/m².
Treatment of mixed backgrounds
Where putting is to be proceeded crosswise over various foundations, extended metal settled over the intersection will minimize breaking because of differential developments. Where little widths of one material are included, for instance where a solid segment partitions block boards, the section width is best crossed over totally by settling extended metal over building paper onto the adjoining brickwork keeping in mind the end goal to confine the mortar from differential development. On the other hand, where breaks might be required to frame in the mortar over the intersection of divergent materials, a straight blade slice through the mortar along the line of the intersection will keep the arrangement of unattractive sporadic splitting. Consecutive dabs might be settled over the intersection as opposed to making a blade cut (see Figure 4 from BS 8000-10).
- Metal mesh on building paper spanning over junctions
- Controlled crack line
Plastering Techniques
Precise proportioning and cleanliness on blending are fundamentally critical for all great putting. A measuring box is the most exact technique for proportioning and ought to be utilized wherever conceivable. In the event that a blender is not accessible, blend by turn in a perfect holder or gaging board. Utilize crisp water for gaging, messy water will revive the set. Clean instruments in other water. Clean the gaging board after each blend. Never re-temper the blend once it has begun to set and don’t blend a crisp gaging with an old one. An undercoat must not be connected to a solidified foundation or a completing coat to an undercoat on which a film of ice has framed.
The basecoat has to be ruled to a smooth suface and slightly scratched to make a key ready to get the final plaster.
REFERENCES
- BS 8000-10: 1995 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for plastering and rendering.
- BS 5492: 1990 Code of practice for internal plastering.
- Chemicals (Hazards Information and Packaging for Supply) (CHIPS) Regulations 1994