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Housing - New Build: Render that doesn't go green

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    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2016
     
    I've been reading up on render and quite a few posters suggest k-rend has a tendency to go green when close to trees or areas shaded from the sun. Can anyone suggest any alternative render systems that are suitable for a house in the woods?
    • CommentAuthorcjard
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2016
     
    Regular jetwashing? The greening is probably algae, growing on sap and other organic particulates stuck to the surface. Even the smooth finish of upvc cladding can suffer it so I think you might struggle to find something that inhibits its growth in a densely wooded area
  3.  
    Posted By: cjardRegular jetwashing? The greening is probably algae...so I think you might struggle to find something that inhibits its growth in a densely wooded area

    +1
    If it's damp and shaded then it's pretty certain that you'll get algal growth sooner or later on almost any surface. We even get it on our (little used) car on the side that is shaded where it is parked!
    • CommentAuthorMarkyP
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2016
     
    I think there are some treatment products on the market for this. K-rend do a product that you apply and leave on and they claim that the algae will be removed without scrubbing and will just weather off over the days following application. They suggest treatments every 6 - 12 months will keep the render clean. I'm not sure it's very green though.

    I think otherwise it will be a case of detergent and a good scrubbing brush.

    Or have your render tinted green!
    • CommentAuthorvord
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2016
     
    How about lime render maybe covered in limewash? That's what I have used - it is alkaline so green stuff doesn't like it, and is breathable so you don't have condensation sitting on the surface for quite so long as the modern rubbish.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2016
     
    Limewash certainly helps to keep growing things away, but bear in mind that they used to repaint the milking parlour with it every year! It's not fit and forget.
    • CommentAuthorvord
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2016
     
    It has anti-bactrrial properties too which is why farm buildings were re-limewashed every year. For a house they reckon about once every 5 years.
  8.  
    It depends on the look you're trying to achieve. The other option is to choose a colour of render that works with the algal growth.

    My Aunt and Uncles place is a slightly yellowy/beige render (with cedar cladding now weathered to grey above). There are trees surrounding the house on most sides. The section of North East facing wall that's sheltered has a beautiful multi coloured growth on it.
  9.  
    Only on about 2 and a half years old yet but our STO silicone render shows no signs of any greening yet.

    There is an area on our metal roofing which is beside a dormer and never gets any sun which has developed a green patch so I guess that is a good indication of the performance of the render by comparison. [Must get up there are scrub the green off the roof when the weather gets a bit warmer.]
    • CommentAuthortychwarel
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2016
     
    My K rend wall has gone an amazing range of colours reds,oranges ,black all as long vertical algal bands and that is on a South West wall in full sun :surprised:
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2016
     
    Would the trick with copper wire which is supposed to work on roofs also work on render, I wonder?

    As I understand it, you put a bit of copper wire (like some solid core mains wire with the insulation removed) across the top of the roof. Rainwater dissolves a very tiny amount of it which is sufficient, though, to kill of the algae.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeFeb 10th 2016
     
    Posted By: vordit is alkaline so green stuff doesn't like it
    I just did a quick google and it seems that lime wash has a pH between 8 and 9 when cured (higher before then, but not as high as concrete).
    'Things' have a habit of growing anywhere. I would not rely on the coating to stop that.
    And, don't they sell an acid wash to clean concrete?
    • CommentAuthornikhoward
    • CommentTimeFeb 10th 2016
     
    Posted By: Ed DaviesWould the trick with copper wire which is supposed to work on roofs also work on render, I wonder?

    As I understand it, you put a bit of copper wire (like some solid core mains wire with the insulation removed) across the top of the roof. Rainwater dissolves a very tiny amount of it which is sufficient, though, to kill of the algae.


    Did this on our roof, there a thread about it on here somewhere. After 5 years some moss is starting to grow, but much less than it used to be.
    • CommentAuthorskyewright
    • CommentTimeFeb 10th 2016
     
    Posted By: nikhowardDid this on our roof, there a thread about it on here somewhere. After 5 years some moss is starting to grow, but much less than it used to be.

    Did you just use a core (or cores) from old wire, or did you use one of the sold-for-the-purpose bands?
    • CommentAuthornikhoward
    • CommentTimeFeb 10th 2016
     
    Posted By: skyewright
    Posted By: nikhowardDid this on our roof, there a thread about it on here somewhere. After 5 years some moss is starting to grow, but much less than it used to be.

    Did you just use a core (or cores) from old wire, or did you use one of the sold-for-the-purpose bands?


    2.5mm CSA solid mostly.

    Using made for bands, no - would not be reduce or reused and would mean getting it shipped in (more road miles=CO2)
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2016
     
    If you use copper wires, won't you get some green streaking on a light coloured wall. Don't show on a dark roof.
    • CommentAuthorskyewright
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2016
     
    Posted By: nikhoward
    2.5mm CSA solid mostly.

    Interesting. A while ago I tried an experiment with some cores from old 1.5 T&E on a sloping concrete path that gets mossy & the moss didn't seem to mind at all, even where I'd put a pair of cores.
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2016
     
    Wonder if it needs a bit of acid in the air to dissolve the copper. Nice clean west-coast rain might just run off.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2016
     
    You can get powdered copper, often used in the cold casting process.
    Maybe a bit of that mixed in with the coating may help.
    • CommentAuthorskyewright
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2016
     
    Posted By: Ed DaviesWonder if it needs a bit of acid in the air to dissolve the copper. Nice clean west-coast rain might just run off.

    Interesting theory. Not thought of that possibility. The exposed SW facing side of the roof doesn't have a scrap of moss, but it would be nice to find a solution for the 'lee' side (& parts of the ridge, especially at the gable end where a buzzard likes to perch!)
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2016
     
    Posted By: skyewrightespecially at the gable end where a buzzard likes to perch!

    Spikes?
    • CommentAuthornikhoward
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2016
     
    Posted By: SteamyTeaIf you use copper wires, won't you get some green streaking on a light coloured wall. Don't show on a dark roof.


    Good to here off you Nick.

    Dark ish roof, so not problem, nothing on any wall
    • CommentAuthornikhoward
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2016
     
    Posted By: skyewright
    Posted By: nikhoward
    2.5mm CSA solid mostly.

    Interesting. A while ago I tried an experiment with some cores from old 1.5 T&E on a sloping concrete path that gets mossy & the moss didn't seem to mind at all, even where I'd put a pair of cores.


    Did you clean the moss of first?

    Doubt it will get rid, but i think it does help
    • CommentAuthornikhoward
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2016
     
    Posted By: Ed DaviesWonder if it needs a bit of acid in the air to dissolve the copper. Nice clean west-coast rain might just run off.


    This is the green building forum? But I must confess, after cleaning, "wiring up", sweeping, composting (a few buckets full), I did spray a mild bleach (sorry) solution which I decided to let it go into the soaw aways as that may discourage worms from pooing (soil) into them (rather than going into sewers (the sea)
    • CommentAuthornikhoward
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2016
     
    Posted By: Ed DaviesWonder if it needs a bit of acid in the air to dissolve the copper. Nice clean west-coast rain might just run off.


    And we've had plenty of that!
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2016
     
    Posted By: nikhowardThis is the green building forum?
    I meant the acid which is already in the rain water, albeit from human sources, not adding more.
    • CommentAuthorskyewright
    • CommentTimeFeb 12th 2016 edited
     
    Posted By: nikhowardDid you clean the moss of first?

    Yes. In one place moss is now happily growing over the wire, let alone "downstream" of it!
    • CommentAuthornikhoward
    • CommentTimeFeb 12th 2016
     
    Posted By: Ed Davies
    Posted By: nikhowardThis is the green building forum?
    I meant the acid which is already in the rain water, albeit from human sources, not adding more.


    Of course, not every ones rain is as clear as good old Cornish rain.
    • CommentAuthornikhoward
    • CommentTimeFeb 12th 2016
     
    Posted By: skyewright
    Posted By: nikhowardDid you clean the moss of first?

    Yes. In one place moss is now happily growing over the wire, let alone "downstream" of it!


    That's both us that wasted our efforts then, glad it's not just me that's so OCD
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeFeb 12th 2016
     
    Posted By: nikhowardOf course, not every ones rain is as clear as good old Cornish rain.
    You noticed the residue left on a windscreen the last few days?

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