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How your render cures and dries can determine the final result, including its appearance and durability. To ensure that your render cures and dries effectively, it is important that you adapt to the weather conditions and the type of render you are using, and take the necessary protective measures. Some render types, like cement renders, take longer to cure and dry, while others, such as acrylic render, have much faster curing and drying times.

Curing and drying during dry and wet weather conditions pose their own risks and difficulties. Continue reading to learn more about curing and drying render during dry and wet weather.

What is Curing?

The curing process is a chemical reaction that occurs between the air and the render. Curing helps the render strengthen and requires optimal temperatures and weather conditions to prevent it from curing too quickly.

What is Drying?

As the name suggests, drying is when the moisture evaporates from the rendered surface. If the drying process completes too quickly, it can cause the render to shrink.

Optimal Temperature for Curing and Drying Render

Optimal weather conditions for curing and drying render include clear skies and moderate temperatures (10 to 25 degrees Celsius).

Hot and Dry Weather

Australia is well known for its hot and dry summers, and although it can be tempting to complete DIY projects or undertake construction or renovation work during these warmer months, the higher temperatures will not serve rendering well.

It is common sense that wet things dry faster under a hot sun, and this is also true for render. However, faster drying times aren’t actually beneficial to rendered surfaces.

If moisture evaporates too quickly from the render, it can cause it to shrink, which is not only unsightly (visible cracks in the surface) but can also lead to functional problems, such as issues with the render’s strength and durability.

Wet Weather

Most people would not complete a rendering project on a rainy day; however, as we all know, it is increasingly becoming difficult to predict exactly what the weather will do on any given day, even if you check the weather forecast and think you are prepared. There may be blue skies in the morning, but in the afternoon, grey clouds could begin to appear, and raindrops start to fall, and then there goes the perfect day for applying render.

If you apply render and it begins to rain, the most important thing is to protect the render from the wet weather. The rain will interfere with the drying and curing process by adding extra moisture and preventing the gradual moisture release, resulting in a weakened bond between the render and the walk and surface damage.

Cold Weather

Most of Australia won’t face the problem of rendering in freezing weather. But it is still important to understand how colder weather can affect the curing and drying processes in rendering.

The speed and rate of hydration greatly decrease during colder weather, affecting the bonding process and durability and increasing the risk of moisture damage.

High Humidity

High humidity slows the curing and drying of render, increasing the risk of mould growth and weak, powdery finishes that are unattractive.

How to Protect the Render from the Elements

Here are some handy ways to protect the render from the elements:

  • Protective sheeting: Use plastic sheeting or debris netting to shield render from rain or strong sun.
  • Mist: Use a spray bottle to mist the wall during high temperatures. This helps with the curing process.
  • Apply additives: Choose render mixes with additives, or add additives to help with curing during colder weather.
  • Insulation boards: Insulation boards should be used during winter to protect the render from the cold.
  • Store render materials in cool, shaded areas: Always keep your render mixture in a cool, shaded area to prevent moisture or heat from affecting the mixture.
  • Ventilation: Use fans or other ventilation methods on humid days to prevent excess moisture buildup and maintain a consistent airflow.

Be Prepared for Anything

Check the Weather Forecast

As we mentioned above, the weather can be unpredictable and change without much warning. However, it is still a good idea to check the weather forecast for the next few weeks, as cement-based renders generally take about 28 days to cure.

Look for multiple clear days in a row that aren’t too hot (lower than 25 degrees), and not too humid (below 70% humidity).

We recommend rendering during the milder months of Autumn and Spring.

Protect Your Surface from Moisture

Before even beginning the rendering process, you need to make sure the wall is free of debris and moisture. This ensures better adhesion between the render and the surface, making the curing and drying processes more efficient.

Use protective sheeting or waterproof mesh to shield your walls from rain, the sun and wind.

Keep the Render Mixture and Tools Dry

Store your render mixture and tools in a dry, cool place, away from the sun and rain, so they are not compromised by the elements.

Be Prepared

Make sure you have the correct render mixture and all the tools and equipment you need for the rendering job if you are planning to do a DIY project.

  • Do your research before deciding on a render mixture. Some renders may work better than others, depending on your local climate and the substrate. You may also have a particular design and style in mind.
  • Buy all the tools needed for rendering, including a plastering trowel, a float, a hawk, a bucket, a mixing drill and a straight edge.
  • Ensure you have all the necessary safety equipment on hand: safety glasses, gloves, and protective clothing.

Four Hands Are Better than Two!

If you’re planning on doing the rendering job yourself, get a friend to help you. It will get the job done faster, especially if you know there is bad weather on the way.

Hire the Professionals

If you know you won’t be able to complete a rendering project yourself, and you’re also concerned about the weather, give the professional renderers a call!

Our team at Sydney Cement Rendering will get the job done right and transform your walls from drab to wow before you know it.

If you want to find out more about how the weather can affect the curing and drying process of render, give Sydney Cement Rendering a call! We take pride in being Sydney’s trusted rendering experts and providing 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!