Harling
Introduction
The lime coating known as harling or wet dash is the most commonly applied external finish to be found on vernacular architecture in Ireland. The harling material is a combination of aggregates and lime, mixed into a slurry consistency and applied in a fluid state. Historically the harling was applied directly onto the masonry walls which had previously been evened out by pointing the wall flush and filling small holes with stone pinning's and mortar. Towards the end of the nineteenth century it became commonplace to apply one or two toweled undercoats to flatten the background before casting on the lime harling.
An extension of this practice became known as dry dashing or pebble dashing, where dry shingle is cast into a wet adhesive coat. However, in traditional harling the finish coat is applied directly to the masonry background.
Preparation of the Masonry
Background
Successful application of lime harling depends greatly on
the amount of preparation that is carried out on the masonry
background. External lime coatings are generally applied in
relatively thin coats, therefore any masonry defects in the
form of hollows or missing pointing must be corrected before
the application of the harling coat. The correction of these
defects should be carried out during masonry preparation and
not rectified through coats of “dubbing out”.
Areas of varying thickness are prone to shrinkage, carbonation
and curing problems. Careful background preparation plays
a vital part in the weather resistance capability of the wall.
Materials to be used in background preparation, should, wherever
possible, be matched to the existing fabric. In doing so,
the repair will be compatible and produce a similar performance
pattern. Where previous remedial work has taken place with
unsuitable materials, (i.e. dense cement mortars), these should
be removed and repaired with matching mortars or stone.
The background must be free from dirt, grease and vegetation.
These elements should be removed several weeks before repairs
are underway. The removal of biological growths should be
thoroughly carried out, as any remaining lichen, algae, etc,
will grow back and attack the bonding between lime finishes
and the background.
Suction Control and Bonding
Before the application of any new lime coatings it is vitally
important to check the degree of suction within the background.
Poor or excessive suction can result in a weak bonding with
the substrate caused by rapid de-maturing of the newly applied
render. This will result in a weak and powdery interface which
could lead to later failure and separation.
In situations where suction needs to be controlled, wetting
down will be required. On dense blocks or near impervious
masonry, simply dampening the surface with a mist spray may
be all that is required.
On very porous surfaces such as old brickwork considerable
wetting will be required. Wet the wall with a hose, working
from the top of the structure, downwards, this may need to
be carried out the previous day and several times on the day
before rendering commences depending on the substrate.
The objective of the suction control is to achieve a thoroughly
damp surface, but not wet, i.e., the surface must not have
running or standing water remaining on the masonry or brick,
this could form a barrier between the coating and substrate.
A certain amount of suction is required for lime mortars to
adhere and stiffen so the exact amount of wetting down is
decided by the plasterer’s experience.
On dense or near impervious background, it may be necessary
to apply a sand/splatter dash coat to the background to act
as a mechanical key.
Salt Contamination
Where new lime coatings are to be applied to masonry which
is salt contaminated, the masonry should be allowed to dry
fully before applying new renders. This will allow salt to
be detected on the masonry and mortar joint surfaces, if excessive
salt is identified clay or lime mortar poulticing may be required.
Specialist advice should be sought. Salt contaminates should
never be washed from the surface, as this will result in the
crystallized salt returning to a soluble state and retreating
back into the pores of the masonry or brick. Salts should
be brushed from the surface and cleaned away from the structure.
Techniques of Application
New applications of lime harling are generally applied in
2 coats with an approximate thickness 8mm to 6mm respectively,
single coats can be applied, but it must be remembered that
these thin coats will not have the same durability. The overall
thickness will of course be effected by the size and shape
of the aggregates used. To replicate a traditional harled
finish, the selection of tools used and method of application
is essential. The best tools for harling are the purpose made
harling or scudding trowels (many plasterers use a small coal
shovel with great effect), these tools allow an even spread
of material over the whole blade of the trowel, which helps
with an even coat of material against the wall. The technique
of application requires that a small amount of the lime harling
is scooped up with the trowel, and with a flick of the wrist
dashed against the wall.
This method requires a degree of practice to achieve an even
material thickness. Forehand and backhand casting techniques
will allow difficult and awkward areas to be reached and ensure
total coverage. Variation of texture and pattern are typical
of traditional harled finishes and are an indication of different
casting techniques and style of tradesman’s personal
preference. Machine applied sprayed finishes have been introduced
into lime finishing, and although their performance is technically
sound, the finished work bears little resemblance to a traditional
finished harl.
Harling up to Details
Where details such as stone quoin of window dressing are encountered,
which stand proud, the harling can be tucked neatly behind
the finished edge, this will protect against water penetration,
where stone details have no distinct edge the harling can
be feathered out, this can be achieved by using progressively
thinner material.
Harling Finishes
It is generally considered that there are 2 distinct styles
of finish to lime harling, the first style is the “as
cast” style, where the material is simply left as cast
onto the masonry without any further adjustments, the second
style is a flatter finish in which the cast harling is pressed
back against the wall with the aid of a timber float to even
out the surface. Both styles are traditional and choice of
finish should follow existing examples.
Health and Safety
Harling by its nature of application carries a risk factor,
and therefore personnel should wear protective equipment,
particular attention to be given to eye and skin protection.