Tyrolean render looks great when it's been applied properly. But that's the key: applying it properly.
If you've noticed problems with your tyrolean rendering project (whether you've carried out the work yourself or hire 'professionals' to do it for you) then it can be frustrating to understand why it has happened and what will need to happen moving forward to get the tyrolean finish you were hoping for.
Today, then, we'll cover some common tyrolean render issues and talk about how these problems likely happened, and how it can be fixed.
Often it's helpful to remind yourself about how a tyrolean finish should be applied to a wall in the first place so you can decide if the rendered wall has been done correctly or not.
Whether you hired someone else or tried a DIY job, knowing the steps that should have been taken often helps you understand what was missed and, therefore, why you're facing problems now.
The first step is cleaning the brickwork of the whole house, using a hose without too much pressure. Too much pressure, and moisture can get stuck in the brickwork, creating damp problems inside your house.
Next, you'll need to fill in any cracks in the wall, and if the wall is new, then you'll need to apply an undercoat to make it more adhesive so the following coats can adhere to the wall properly and prevent cracking or slipping later.
A base coat is then applied directly to the wall made of a cement mix with clean water. This cement mixture should be thick and creamy and have a slightly tacky feel to it so it can stick to the surface of the walls more easily. A scratch comb should then be used to create a suitable base for the tyrolean render to be applied.
Once a scratch coat has been created, you'll need to wait 24 hours before the first coat of tyrolean can be applied to the building.
Now that the base coat is dry, take your tyrolean gun (or flicker gun, it's known by different names) and apply the tyrolean mixture to the exterior walls evenly until a thin coating covers the brick/stonework.
At least two coats may be necessary to achieve the textured finish you're looking for. Remember to allow the coats to dry between each layer.
In its most basic form, that is how you apply a tyrolean render to your houses, but if you're facing a particular problem, you'll need to understand how it occurred and how it can be fixed - so this next section is perfect for you!
The cement render is usually the first thing applied to your walls before any other renders are applied because the cement mixture acts as an adhesive layer of plaster/render.
Problems here, then, should be immediately obvious before work finishes - it's unlikely that you'll even be able to apply tyrolean render at all if this layer isn't right.
So, what are some of the problems you may see?
If any of these problems occur, it's almost certainly because the cement mix used isn't the right consistency. When wet, the cement should be thick and able to coat the walls effectively. It needs to have a tacky feel to it.
In order to fix the issue, you'll need to make sure the mix has been put together right. Focus on the amount of materials (sand, lime, cement, and water) that ought to be included. If any part of this is off, then you can produce a mix that isn't capable of providing that adhesive layer to begin with.
Remove the old layer and start again with the new mixture if it isn't sticking at all.
The scratch coat is another part of the job that can go wrong - and it can face many of the same issues as discussed above, so we won't repeat ourselves here. If the mix isn't thick, creamy, and tacky, then the mix is wrong and you'll need to start again.
However, there's another issue which is important to note with a scratch coat.
The number one issue is that a DIY renderer/builder can often forget to scratch it. Failing to do this will mean this coat doesn't provide the right texture to the surface for subsequent rendering to actually stick to the wall.
It's crucial that you scratch this coat with a scratch comb before it dries. It will cost far more money in repairs if you get this wrong and the tyrolean render falls off the walls in a few months, exposing the masonry/concrete beneath and leaving it exposed to the weather.
If you forgot to apply a scratch coat and the tyrolean render won't stick, this is why. Unfortunately, stripping it back to bricks or finding a professional who can apply a new coat is your only option here, because fixing the issue yourself will be complicated and could lead to a costly mistake.
Applying coloured tyrolean in the moment is no different to applying regular tyrolean, it just simply has a colour dye mixed through.
Problems with coloured tyrolean usually happen later down the line, however, when repairs are necessary to damaged tyrolean render.
Matching the colours is near impossible, because colours naturally fade over time. Even if you remember the exact colour of the rendering, applying a new patch of the same colour render with the same materials will still likely stand out.
That's why it's so important to have coloured tyrolean applied by professionals (or at the very least, you ought to be a highly skilled and knowledgeable DIY enthusiast) in the first place, so you can guarantee the tyrolean render will last for years to come.
If a repair must be done on a patch of tyrolean that is already coloured, then your best solution is to repair it, and then paint the entire building to hide the patch. Painting your whole rendering can be a big task, so hire professionals if you need assistance. Picking the wrong paint can be another costly mistake, so leave painting your rendering to professionals if you aren't confident yourself.
Using a tyrolean gun or flicker gun for the first time can be stressful, especially the hand operated ones which take time, patience, and skill to use before the wall is covered in the tyrolean finish.
There can be any number of issues here:
Our best advice here is that if you aren't confident in using a tyrolean gun, then don't try it yourself. Applying it in a thin, even layer to the surface is integral to getting a good finish on your exterior wall.
Of course, practice also makes perfect, so if you insist upon doing it yourself, practice it first so you can get an even application.
If it isn't applied evenly the first time, it'll need to be removed and you'll need to start over.
We won't repeat ourselves here, but the tyrolean mix itself can also be too thin/thick. Check the package instructions when mixing and apply only in even layers.
Once dry, there's no quick fix, so be sure to get it right first time, or else you'll likely need to take it off again before starting over.
If you haven't left the old coat to rest and dry before applying more, then the mix will just slide off the wall. Remember, 24 hours (minimum) between each layer is standard.
Over time, any rendering/plastering applied to your home will become worn and tired. This is natural. But how soon is too soon for your old tyrolean to start showing cracks, wear, tear, and signs of aging?
Applied correctly, tyrolean render should last between 10 and 30 years. Of course, this depends on where the building is located and the severity of the weather in the area.
If you're noticing issues quickly after it's been applied, then this is a sign it hasn't been done correctly to begin with...
If you're noticing problems with your tyrolean render, we'd recommend at least consulting with professionals first.
If you dive in and try to fix the issue yourself with no advice, you can often make the problems worse. Besides, professionals have seen all sorts of rendering problems in their career, and will be able to identify the issue and rectify it quickly, ultimately saving you time and money in the long run.
Reach out to professionals today and discuss your issues. That way you can be sure that your tyrolean problems will be fixed quickly and efficiently - protecting your home for the future!
