How to cement render a wall

This diy article is about how to cement render a wall. Rendering a brick wall with cement is not an easy job, but is an ancient technique which has proved its efficiency and utility over the years. Consequently, although it might seam as a complex project, we kindly recommend you to use the cement rendering method, if you want to apply a durable finish on your brick or block walls. From the very beginning, we have to point out that this method is applicably only in the case of masonry walls, not for drywall. Therefore, these things being said, we advise you to read carefully our step by step guide, and to pay attention to our tips.

In order to prepare the cement render, you could use a pre-mixed mortar (you only have to add sand and water), or you can do it the old way, by using cement, lime , cement and water. If you decide to use pre-mixed render (we strongly advise you to in this way, as it contains special additives designed for this purpose), you have to read the instructions labeled on the bag, but usually the recipe is: 1 part of cement render to 2.5-3 parts of fine sand.

If you want to use the old style method, you have to mix 1 part cement, 1 part lime and six parts sharp sand. In order to get a proper render, you have to use a power mixer and pour in the cement, lime, sand and then the water. You have to mix these compounds for at least 5 minutes, making sure you get a material with the consistency of pinnate butter. Don’t forget to check out the masonry projects, if you want to see more step by step guides.

 

Made from this plan

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In order to cement render a wall, you need the following:

Materials

  • Fine sand
  • Cement render

 

Tools

 

Tips

  • Make sure the pillars are plumb
  • Use the right cement render mix

 

Time

  • One day, 30 sq feet / 10 m2

 

 

 How to cement render a wall

Brick wall

Brick wall

 

Before applying the cement render, you have to check a few aspects regarding the brick walls. Therefore,  make sure the wall is plumb and it doesn’t have any irregularities . If you have to render an old brick wall, you have to remove first the coats that covers the bricks, by using a chisel, a hammer and a palette knife.

Brush thoroughly the walls, making sure there are no residues left, as well as no dust. After that, you could apply a fungicide, this step being optional, but recommendable for old houses.

 

Rendering a brick wall

Rendering a brick wall

 

Next, you have to apply the first coat of cement render. First, remove all objects in the room, as there is a high probability of covering them with cement render. The first coat of render is essential for the project, as it should adhere to the brick wall and support the second layer of render and the plaster.

The first coat must have the following recipe: 1 part cement render to 2.5-3 parts of fine sand. Read the instructions labeled on the bag. Load the mixer with cement and sand, and add water progressively until the compound has the consistency of cream.

 

Building the render pillars

Building the render pillars

 

Next, in order to apply the second coat of cement render, you have to build vertical guidance pillars every 3′ / 90 cm. As to build the pillars, you have to start by constructing two bumps, one at the bottom of the wall and the other at the top of the wall.

The thickness of these bumps will represent the thickness of the render layer, therefore you must make sure it is around 1/2” – 1.24 cm. In addition, these protrusions must be plumb one with another, otherwise your wall will look bad.

 

Making sure the plaster is plumb

Making sure the plaster is plumb

 

In order to check if the bumps are plumb, you have to use a long aluminum straight edge and a spirit level. If the bottom and the top guidance points aren’t plumb, then you have to add more cement either at the bottom or at the top of the wall, making sure the thickness doesn’t exceed 1/2”.

After you have built the first pillar, you have to build the rest of them, every 3′ / 90 cm, in the same way as above. In addition, make sure the pillars are aligned one with another, especially if the bricklaying have been done poorly.

 

Building two pillars

Building two pillars

 

In order to build the guidance pillars, you have to apply cement render on the wall, between the bottom and the top bumps. In order to level the pillar, you have to use the large aluminum straight edge. As you can see, you can learn easily how to cement render a wall, if you read carefully our step by step article.

Before loading the rest of the wall with cement render, you have to build another pillars, every 3′, in the same way as we have described it previously. It is essential to work with patience and with great care, otherwise your wall plaster won’t have the desired quality.

Smart Tip: Let the pillar to dry out for several hours, before filling the rest of the wall with cement render. In addition, we have to highlight that after you apply the first coat of cement, you have to let it dry for at least a day, before constructing the guidance pillars.

 

How to cement render a wall

How to cement render a wall

 

Next you have to load the wall (between the guidance pillars) with cement render. Consequently, you should use construction buckets or a wheelbarrow to transport the material inside your house. Next, use a hawk and a margin trowel and “throw” the render towards the wall, making sure you cover the whole surface.

Smart Tip: Work with patience and be careful as to build a coat of render as even as possibly. If your render is not even, then you will have to work hard to straighten the wall.

 

 

Rendering a brick wall

Leveling cement render

Leveling cement render

 

In order to straighten the cement render coat, you have to push the aluminum straight edge (moving it from left to right, like sawing), making sure it goes along the guidance pillars.

When the straight edge is filled with material, you have to get it off by using your margin trowel. You can reuse the material, but you have to mix it again with the power mixer. Allow the cement render to dry for 15 minutes, before loading it again with material, if the surface is not uniform. Use the straight edge again to smooth the surface.

 

Cement rendering a wall

Cement rendering a wall

 

As you can see in the image, you won’t get a proper surface from the very first time, you have to add another coat and straighten it till you get the desired result.

However, the thickness of the render (determined by the guidance pillars) will influence to a high degree the process. If the render coat will be thin, then you can pull it through from the first time, but if you want to apply a thicker coat of cement render, than you need  several loads.

 

Screeding a floor

Cement render

 

Last but not least, in this image you should notice the final look of the cement render. Consequently, make sure the coat of cement render is uniform  all over the surface of your walls, otherwise you will spend more money on the finishing layers you have to spread, before painting the room.

As a general rule, the more uniform the coat of render, the easier and cheaper will be the plastering process. Therefore, work with patience and great care, and let the render to dry out for at least 1 week, before applying the plaster.

 

Sprinkling water on the wall before finishing the polystyrene

Sprinkling water on the wall

 

As to get a nice finish you have to use a polystyrene float over the whole surface of the wall. Nevertheless, you have to wait for about an hour before finishing the wall, as to let the cement render to bond to the wall.

Smart Tip: Use a large brush to sprinkle water over the wall, as to ease the finishing process. Nevertheless, be careful as too much water might damage the wall.

 

Using a float to finish the polystyrene sheets

Using a float to finish the cement render

 

Next, use a polystyrene float and finish the cement render, by moving it circularly. This technique is not difficult and you will enjoy changing the look of the cement render.

Smart Tip: Finish the whole surface of the wall and sprinkle watter if necessary. You have to move the float several times around the corner of the room, from top to bottom and on both sides, till they are right-angled and perfectly straight. Allow the render to dry out (2-3 days will be sufficient) and then plaster the walls before painting them.

 

 

Thank you for reading our article on how to cement render a wall and we recommend you to check out the rest of our articles. Please SHARE our articles with your friends, by using the social media widgets. LIKE us to be the first that gets our latest projects.




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