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Post by turkey on Jun 29, 2012 9:43:15 GMT
Pete, I never saw your post on the waterproofer. I think I might get some for the outside render I would not use it with the vermiculite however, from my experience with the stuff because you add alot of water to it and dust with cement its acts as tiny wet sponges. I think mine has been on 3 weeks so far and the oven has been fired 3 times, and still the cement whilst looking dry is the wrong shade of grey and if I pull of a vermivulite bit and squeeze through the cement its still wet inside. If you make the cement "waterproof" I suspect you will be locking this moisture in or at least making it harder to come out. I intend to try to keep the vermiculite open to dry for as long as possible and then finally render it with waterproofing gunk in the render. I also think I might then pain on some clear silicone breathable waterproofer I have in the shed for external brickwork. Will probably try to do the stand in that also to keep it all as dry as possible.
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Post by cannyfradock on Jun 29, 2012 15:29:57 GMT
....sorry Faz, but I agree with Danno. Vermecrete is a bugger to work with. I've used a semi-dry mix and built it up from the base.....which you seem to need lots of patience with.....and I've made it wet (and added a bit of sand and lime) and troweled it on.....although the less water you can use..the better as you have to extract all the moisture from the oven through gentle firing, before fully firing the beast.
Try to get your insulation blanket to fit snug on the dome itself. If there are any "springy pockets" this will hinder the application of the vermiculite layer.
Even though this layer is difficult......it really does work and the vermecrete forms a nice solid crust for a final waterproof render coat, but ...like Danno.....I'm still trying to find an easier way or method of creating this thermal layer....I'm still learning !!!
Terry
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cec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 160
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Post by cec on Jun 29, 2012 17:01:06 GMT
I found it ok to work with but like terry I put lime in mine and made it 5-1 , I also put some pva on to help a bit . I started at the top and went down ( it worked for me ) , when I tried to do it base up it just kept falling off , strange I know , when you start to do it you will find your own way to do it .
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Post by pete123 on Jun 29, 2012 19:07:19 GMT
Thanks all lots of tips.
I made a start earlier so I'll add the photos and talk you through it. I didn't use the water-proofer but I did add a touch of plasticiser. I noticed on the back of the can it said something to the effect that it could be used to replace lime.
I've gone for a 6:1 mix and it seems to go on better the wetter it is. Although I totally agree with the principal you should use the minimum of water. I had a small cave in once & I thing it was a touch dry & that's what caused it.
Turkey do you remember what brand of water proofer it is? ... and will it still be able to breath i.e. to let the moisture escape?
Terry your right there are some springy bits. So far it's working out OK.
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Post by pete123 on Jun 29, 2012 19:39:36 GMT
I mixed it by hand in the tub at 6:1 - I plan on sticking to this throughout now. Attachments:
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Post by pete123 on Jun 29, 2012 19:41:47 GMT
This is the first bit down. The only way I could see to do it was rubber gloves and putting it in place by hand & patting it down a bit. Attachments:
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Post by pete123 on Jun 29, 2012 19:44:25 GMT
I tapped the chipboard with a mallet on the lower layers to help it keep it's shape. Attachments:
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Post by pete123 on Jun 29, 2012 19:45:43 GMT
And the other side. Attachments:
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Post by pete123 on Jun 29, 2012 19:47:05 GMT
Going up. Attachments:
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Post by pete123 on Jun 29, 2012 19:50:19 GMT
This is as far as I got. I've used 2 bags of Vermiculite so far. I've one more left so I'll have to reorder some more to finish it. Attachments:
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Post by pete123 on Jun 29, 2012 20:04:03 GMT
..and the other side. The thickness varies a bit from 3 - 4" I should really label the thermocouple wires...although the top one have further to travel & so the wire's shorter. Attachments:
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Post by pete123 on Jul 1, 2012 15:06:10 GMT
It's a bit higher now. There is 3 bags of vermiculite on there now. Attachments:
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Post by pete123 on Jul 1, 2012 15:10:52 GMT
I've run out of Vermiculite now so I'll have to order more tomorrow. My local branch doesn't stock it so it will be a day or 2. It's a good price with the discount. £10.79 instead of £18 per bag. Attachments:
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Post by pete123 on Jul 2, 2012 17:03:14 GMT
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Post by pete123 on Jul 2, 2012 20:22:53 GMT
OK Jewsons didn't have any in stock & they couldn't justify sending a lorry to Kent to pick some up. They can get it in but they couldn't specify when it would be. They did point out that it costs them £7 a bag & they would only be making a pound on it! Fair enough. So I dashed to Buildbase before they shut as they had some in stock. The brand was Micafil but the consistency is identical to the Silvaperl from Jewson. I bought 2 bags which cost £47.88 that's nearly £24a bag! I was a big boy & didn't cry in front of him. I waited until I got back to the car. If anyone lives near Jewsons in Hertford - aren't you the lucky ones! Thev've got over 400 bags in stock! I could have driven over to Hertford & picked some up but the cost of filling up the Bentley is just extortionate Also I wanted to crack on. There's a bit more to do yet. It took longer to do this time because every time a flake of vermiculite dropped on the floor I had to jump down & pick it up. ... actually I'm near the top now so I'm tipping it on & patting it down. Sorry no photos. Off to cry myself to sleep now.
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