House rendering is a popular way of cladding both traditional and contemporary buildings, and takes several different forms: pebbledash, roughcast or the plain, smooth variety. Render is designed to be tough, but if you don’t take care of it your house could become seriously, and expensively, damaged. Here’s a quick guide to why you should carefully look after your render.
Why are houses rendered?
There are two main reasons. The first is to protect the underlying walling material from the effects of rain penetration and weathering. Some types of brick are liable to become damp over prolonged periods of time, especially if you live in an area that is particularly exposed to the elements. Water can get through the solid brick and into the house, causing a variety of problems.
Reason number 2 is to improve the look of a building. Some houses can have a mishmash of brickwork, areas of wear and tear or just look old and tired. Adding a layer of render gives you the opportunity to give your home a facelift and create a smooth uniform finish.
What does render damage look like?
Render wraps your building in a protective skin, and even the smallest breach could lead to problems. Signs to look out for include areas that are cracked or bulging, blown areas that sound hollow when tapped, or chunks of render falling off and leaving areas of exposed brickwork. If you have pebbledash, take a look round the exterior of your home after a heavy shower of rain – if you see pebbles on the floor the render may be crumbling and in need of some TLC.
What are the implications of damaged render?
The implications of damaged render can be serious. If the wall behind the render moves it will cause hairline cracks, which may become bigger over time. Whilst most houses are prone to some kind of structural movement which is nothing to worry about, you should check that the cracks aren’t being caused by subsidence, as this can be a very expensive problem.
However, the most common cause of cracking and bulging is usually the freezing of moisture trapped between the render and the wall. Hairlines cracks should be sealed when they first arise, otherwise the constant freezing and expanding will blow the surface loose and create larger cracks. Once damp gets in these cracks and penetrates the walls, serious problems can develop.
How can I maintain the render on my home?
Render cleaning should be your first line of defence. A professional from X Render can inspect your house for cracks, water damage and algae growth that you may not have noticed from the ground. Then, using a softwashing technique that won’t damage your home like pressure washing can, we will remove all dirt, grime and organic growths that can contribute to harming your render. Not only will your home look refreshed and beautiful, but you will have the peace of mind of knowing that your render is being well looked after.