pebbledash

[naomi66]

I got my whole house re-dashed about 6 months ago and now find that the gable end is sounding hollow when it is tapped.Should it be doing this or should I get the man back that dashed it and get it done again? The front and back walls seem to be ok.

[Tatty Rollox]

Sounding hollow indicates that it is not bonded to the backing and must be done again, otherwise in time it will fall off. However, this is a tricky subject, and if you care to explain exactly what the man did I will try to shine some light if you would like that. For instance, was old rendering hacked off and then new rendering applied ? Or is it new rendering on old rendering ? Was a bonder used ? Do you happen to know the proportions of the cement and sand the man used ? Did he spray the wall with water first ? Did you specify what he should do or did he ? Do you have a written specification and contract ? Everything that you know about it will help.

[naomi66]

Dear Tatty Rollox, I had the old dashing taken off and done from new.The man put on first layer of what looked like cement and then he put on a layer of scratch coat and then he plastered it and put the stones on.I do not know what proportions he used but I think he put a plastersizer in cause he said it made it easier to work with.The day that he done the work it was raining but I don't know if this has any bearing on the outcome.I have been told not to worry about it as this sometimes can happen.As for specifing what had to be done he told me what he would be doing as he had done other houses in my area so I left it to him.That is all I can tell you as I assumed he knew what he was doing.If it does have to be done again will he have to do it free of charge? Thanks for your help. 

[Tatty Rollox]

Hello naomi. The specification used by your man is well known and when properly applied is satisfactory and enduring and will last for a minimum of 20 years and probably twice that. However, for this to be the case each coat must be bonded to the other and the whole of it must be bonded to the wall. The hollowness you have noted indicates that some stage of the bonding has failed with the consequence that the affected area is substantially defective. It is a little bit dangerous as it will ultimately fall off, and in a frosty winter the falling off will be accelerated due to moisture in the cavity expanding when turning into ice and adding further pressure. What has caused the hollowness is in fact the subject of much technical analysis over the years (even the Victorian's were plagued by it) but it is academic so far as you are concerned - the affected area's are defective and unsafe and you need say nothing more. You may encounter a number of inexperienced and unknowledgeable people who will try to persuade you otherwise - ignore them. You are entitled to have the defect remedied quickly (because of the safety implication)  at absolutely no cost to you.

(cont)

[Tatty Rollox]

(cont)

You should firstly talk to your man and give him the opportunity to pop along and put it right without fuss. Failing this, you should write specifying the area which is hollow (some generality like north gable wall will do) and giving 14 days to remedy, otherwise action will be taken without further notice. If still not remedied, you should employ a Chartered Building Surveyor to report upon the defect in a form presentable to a Court (the Surveyor will know what this means) and then employ another plasterer to remedy the work. On completion attach the Surveyor's report together with the plasterer's and Surveyor's bills plus your own costs to a Small Claims Summons in your local County Court and proceed for the return of your money. But it is unlikely to get to this - spoken to properly your man will probably put it right without difficulty.

[naomi66]

Thanks a lot your answer has really helped me know where I stand as far as what I can do about it.I will do as you suggest and give the man a chance to remedy the fault and I will take it from there.Once again thanks.