3.2 Cold weather working

Also see:

6.11

3.2.6 Rendering, plastering and screeding

Rendering, plastering and screeding shall not be carried out in cold weather unless suitable precautions are taken.

Rendering, plastering and screeding should not be carried out if there is frost on the structure.

Where warm air heaters are used to warm the structure before screeding and plastering takes place, they should:

  • keep the temperature of the structure above freezing during the curing period
  • not produce water vapour (the building should be ventilated to disperse moisture)
  • be placed in the room a day before plastering is to start
  • be used for longer following a prolonged cold period (as ground floors and walls near to floor level may be slow to respond)
  • continue heating for at least 48 hours after completion of the work but not be excessive (to avoid damage to screeds, plaster finishes and woodwork).

Render should not be applied if:

  • the temperature is below, or likely to fall below, 2°C (temperatures should be checked throughout the day on a thermometer)
  • backgrounds are saturated or frozen, or
  • there is a possibility that new work will be subjected to frost before it has set.

Last updated: 2nd January 2024

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