Patching Up Render
It is normal for render to become damaged and degraded over the years due to exposure to the elements, pollution and other factors. Chips, cracks and holes can become a common sight on older exterior renders. Luckily, there are ways to patch up and repair damaged render that won’t break the bank. It is a fairly straightforward procedure that an experienced DIYer can do. For the best result, however, we recommend getting an experienced renderer out to patch up any cracks or holes.
Continue reading to learn more about patching up render.
Why Patch Up Render?
Two main problems require a patch-up job instead of replacing the whole wall with a new render. These two problems are:
Cracked Render
Cracks can appear in the render due to the natural movement of the building over time. Some render types are more flexible than others and, therefore, less likely to form cracks. However, the downside of cement render (the most common type of render) is that it isn’t flexible and is more prone to cracking.
If cracks go unfixed, it can cause more serious problems.
Cracks break open the render’s surface, allowing moisture to get in. This exposure to moisture can not only make cracks worse but can also damage the structure of a building.
Blown Render
Blown render occurs when the render becomes separated from the wall, resulting in an uneven, bubbly appearance. If the blown render isn’t fixed, the render will eventually crack and fall off. Not only is this an eyesore, but it also allows moisture to enter the structure, leading to further problems down the line.
Patching Compounds
A patching compound is used to fill any holes or cracks in rendered surfaces. Most patching compounds are in a putty form and can be applied with a trowel or putty knife, while others come in the form of powder.
It works well on cement, concrete and wood surfaces, and some varieties also work on vinyl surfaces.
Research
Before beginning any DIY repair job, it is important to read up on the patching-up procedure and understand the basic steps and what equipment and tools you’ll need to complete the task successfully.
Patching up the render includes filling up any small holes or gaps and ensuring that it blends in with the surrounding rendered surface. It is a relatively simple process instead of rendering the entire wall again.
Note that patch-up jobs will only work on small areas of cracks or holes. For cracks spread over a larger area, you will need to remove the old render and apply new layers.
Get Your Tools Together
For patching up the render, you’ll need the following tools:
- Trowel
- Putty knife
- Exterior filler
- Patching compound
- Paintbrush
- A wire brush
- Sandpaper
- Sanding block
- Filing knife
- Masonry cleaner
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Dust mask
Preparation
Before patching up any holes or cracks, cleaning and preparing the wall is essential. Remove all dust, debris and dirt from the wall using a stiff or wire brush and a hose. If you notice any loose or flaking render or paint, remove that to ensure the patch-up job is done on a smooth surface.
It’s also important to protect the surrounding area from spills, dust and debris. Place a plastic cover or drop cloth over nearby plants and the ground to protect them, and tape over any windows or doors that may be near the patch-up job.
Protect yourself from the fumes, dust and debris by wearing safety glasses, gloves and a dust mask.
Repairing a Crack
The process for repairing a crack includes:
- Mix your patching compound: Mix your chosen patching compound with water until it becomes a smooth consistency.
- Apply the compound to the crack: Use a trowel or putty knife to push the compound into the crack, making sure that it covers all the edges to cover up the whole crack.
Repeat this process until the crack is completely filled.
- Smooth the surface: Use the sanding block or the trowel to smooth the crack’s surface and eliminate any excess material.
- Drying time: Leave the patched-up crack to dry for the required time (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
- Final touches: Sand down the surface until it looks good and achieves your desired finish. Add a sealant for protection from the elements.
Repairing Blown Render
- Remove damaged render: Use a claw hammer or an electric breaker to remove the damaged render until the brickwork is exposed.
- Clean the wall: After removing the damaged render, clean the wall to remove the dirt and dust.
- Apply adhesive and render: Apply coats of adhesive and render, carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Final touches: Apply a sealant to protect the render from the elements.
Benefits of Patched Render
The benefits of patched render include:
Straightforward Process
The process of patching up render is a fairly straightforward one and can be a DIY project if you feel confident enough. Just ensure you read up about the process, have all the required tools and protect yourself with the relevant protective gear.
Quicker
It’s a much faster process than removing and replacing the render from a whole wall. Patching up a rendered wall can take a few hours instead of a few days.
It’s Cheaper
Seeing as patching up render is a smaller job and can be a DIY one, it means it is cheaper than rendering a whole wall, mainly because in most cases, you don’t need to hire professional labourers to complete the process.
Less Waste
Very little waste is involved with patching up a rendered wall, especially compared to the waste caused by rendering multiple walls.
The Downsides of Patching Up Render
The downsides of patching up render include:
Appearance
The patched-up render may stand out from the rest of the rendered surface and look obvious, even if you paint over it to match the rest of the wall.
Durability
There is always the risk of the patch-up job not being effective, as there may be more serious underlying causes for the cracks, including a lack of flexibility or exposure to the elements.
If you notice the cracks reappearing or growing in number, it’s best to call a professional renderer to come out and look at the issue.
If you want to know more about patching up render, don’t hesitate to give us a call! At Sydney Cement Rendering, we take pride in being Sydney’s trusted rendering experts. We provide our customers with the highest quality rendering services. Contact us at 0402 704 984 or visit our website: https://sydneycementrendering.com/ to find out more about what we offer!