The shuttering is secured to the Dochans and the Hemp and Lime is cascaded in. A plasterers ‘Hawk’ makes an ideal guide. Rather than stratifying layers with a flat tamping tool a sharp stick is used to ‘poke it’.
With no stratified layers the Hemp and Lime is pushed against the shuttering, into the wall and is more knitted together. Along with the pegs this reduces the risk of ‘shear’ before the material is set.
The shuttering is removed immediately.
The volume of each mix is used to calculated the progress up the wall. The tendency is to pack it too tight, which would leave us short.
Now we’re of the ground the boxes of Hemp and Lime are hung from the shuttering using ‘S’ shaped kitchen hooks, speeding installation and catching any overspill.
At the top, handheld shuttering, a plasterers ‘Float’, work fast, freehand and sideways.
Cast across the ceiling and the hygroscopic thermal capacity is reinstating where needed most. Suspended under the original ceiling, homemade plywood I beams hold the Hemp and Lime in place. The shuttering is struck of straight away.
Plastered, stuck up and pasted. Plaster, coving and wallpaper to finish.
Methodology
Preparation
Resurrection of a unique surface preparation method and traditional wall fixing. The timber ‘Dochan’ quickly flattens out any uneven surface for a true, flat, vertical finish that holds together rather than disturbing old lime mortar and loose stone or brickwork.
Mixing
Revolutionary small scale hempcrete mixing process for safe clean material handling making domestic projects accessible and affordable. Measured and consistent mixing with the correct amount of water will prevent drying problem and improve performance.
Casting
The shuttering is secured to the Dochans and the Hemp and Lime cascades in. No stratified layers with a flat tamping tool, use a sharp stick to ‘poke it’ and knit it together. Quicker, easier, cheaper and more effective than building out with a lime plaster base coat
Results
No moisture build up, no correlation with internal humidity. Interstitial humidity follows external temperature. Relating to outside not in. Out performs u-value due to thermal inertia and hygroscopicity, no latent heat effect from condensation or evaporation. Hydrothermal passive heat recover from buffering the peaks of warm moist air?
Case Studies
Hemp Lime projects
The damp Victorian terrace, steamy hygroscopic bathroom and open plan emancipated kitchen, every home has cold spots.
Talks and workshops
Hemp Lime training
Renovation, conservation and new build construction. Preparation, mixing and casting onto existing masonry, infilling traditional timber frames and solid wall monolith construction.
Advice and consultancy
Hemp Lime preparation
Damp pathology, building principles, design critique, project planning and team building.
Bristol Hemp and Lime
Hygrothermal passive heat recovery, solves damp problems with the secondary effect of improving the thermal efficiency of older buildings.