Sat, 27 Jun 2026 01:23:53 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=275&Focus=3028#Comment_3028 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=275&Focus=3028#Comment_3028 Thu, 10 May 2007 21:13:46 +0100 Joatex https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=275&Focus=3029#Comment_3029 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=275&Focus=3029#Comment_3029 Thu, 10 May 2007 22:46:20 +0100 tony
The sand could be controversial subject and a matter of opinion. I prefer a "washed or river washed" building sand, i.e. a cleaner type of sand and also prefer to add 20% of a finer grained sharp sand into the mix.

Lime putty is good but it is not at all difficult to slake your own lime if you live near any chalk hills why not have a go?.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=275&Focus=3030#Comment_3030 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=275&Focus=3030#Comment_3030 Thu, 10 May 2007 23:03:20 +0100 biffvernon Posted By: tony
Lime putty is good but it is not at all difficult to slake your own lime if you live near any chalk hills why not have a go?.What do you mean?

Joatex, use a sharp sand - you want a range of grain sizes. I can't see any point in paying a premium for 'washed'. Dirty sand with lots of fines will do fine. You can even add earth! If you want a very smooth finish, then use a very fine sand (silver sand) with a more lime-rich ratio, say 2:1ish, for the finishing coat.

Goat hair is often said to be the best. Many old houses just had chopped straw incorpoarted in the base coat of plaster.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=275&Focus=3035#Comment_3035 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=275&Focus=3035#Comment_3035 Fri, 11 May 2007 08:01:39 +0100 Gervase Webb Posted By: tonyLime putty is good but it is not at all difficult to slake your own lime if you live near any chalk hills why not have a go?.

Building a kiln and firing it at a constant 800C is quite a major exercise, and definitely not something to be done just to make a batch of lime plaster. There's also the matter of getting permission to dig the chalk. And slaking and settling enough of the resulting quicklime under water for long enough to make a putty that doesn't 'pop' when made into a plaster...
To be honest, I'd rather make my own putty from bagged, hydrated lime than attempt to slake my own for professional use.

Biff's right about the sand - ordinary sharp sand, complete with fines, is what you want. Builder's sand is a definite no-no, however, as the rounded grains make for a very weak mix. You can buy the hair (usually cow hair these days) from most places that supply lime putty. Teasing it into the mix is a tedious business, but where would building be without those tedious moments when the mind can wander off...? ]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=275&Focus=3080#Comment_3080 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=275&Focus=3080#Comment_3080 Fri, 11 May 2007 21:15:23 +0100 Joatex But about mixing quicklime with water. It is most unwise to be involved without sufficient protection. Particularly the eyes. Acid burns are bad enough at least with irrigation most of the acid is quickly diluted and washed away but alkali burns are devestating, quickly penetrate into the cornea and result in gross corneal opacities and fibrosis of the conjuctiva. Thereafter a long haul to achieve some sight recovery.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=275&Focus=3084#Comment_3084 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=275&Focus=3084#Comment_3084 Fri, 11 May 2007 22:14:31 +0100 Gervase Webb