Poor K-rend - suggestions for fixing

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Pyrrolo

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Hi everyone,

First post, so please forgive any errors in etiquette etc.

We've recently had a garage with space above built, and opted for a K-rend finish rather than a 'normal' cement render and paint. However, the finish in our opinion isn't very good - there are lots of light/dark areas, some very evident scratch marks, and a couple of cracks. All in all, it's very inconsistent. Please see pics.

The builders we used for the garage construction has been very good overall, but sub-contracted the K-rend to a one-man-band as it wasn't their area of expertise. The plasterer had done K-rend before but not for the builder. In total, there's about 100 m2 of wall. 50 bags of base coat, and 100 bags of K1 top coat (white) were ordered. The green mesh was applied over all of the wall area, and beading nailed in on corners and edges. The next day, base coat was applied and keyed ready for the top coat - but only 32 bags of base coat were used. Due to poor weather, top coat wasn't applied until the 4th day. It was applied by hand (rather than spray) and left overnight prior to scratching - but again not all of the bags were used, only 67 out of the hundred. The next day the surface was scratched using a hedgehog float.

We immediately pointed out our concerns, but were told it was a normal finish and could take several months to dry out for the colour to be consistent.

However, it's now been about a month, and there has been absolutely no change in the colour consistency. The plasterer did come back out to attempt to fill some holes and cracks, but that was all and not very successful. We were told that as the K-rend will have hardened the surface couldn't be re-scratched.

We've been in contact with the builders as we feel it's their responsibility to resolve as our contract is with them. They have said that taking it all off and starting again is NOT an option as the walls are aircrete and would likely be damaged during removal.

So, can the experts on here suggest some suitable remedies please?
 

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Pyrrolo said:
Hi everyone,

First post, so please forgive any errors in etiquette etc.

We've recently had a garage with space above built, and opted for a K-rend finish rather than a 'normal' cement render and paint. However, the finish in our opinion isn't very good - there are lots of light/dark areas, some very evident scratch marks, and a couple of cracks. All in all, it's very inconsistent. Please see pics.

The builders we used for the garage construction has been very good overall, but sub-contracted the K-rend to a one-man-band as it wasn't their area of expertise. The plasterer had done K-rend before but not for the builder. In total, there's about 100 m2 of wall. 50 bags of base coat, and 100 bags of K1 top coat (white) were ordered. The green mesh was applied over all of the wall area, and beading nailed in on corners and edges. The next day, base coat was applied and keyed ready for the top coat - but only 32 bags of base coat were used. Due to poor weather, top coat wasn't applied until the 4th day. It was applied by hand (rather than spray) and left overnight prior to scratching - but again not all of the bags were used, only 67 out of the hundred. The next day the surface was scratched using a hedgehog float.

We immediately pointed out our concerns, but were told it was a normal finish and could take several months to dry out for the colour to be consistent.

However, it's now been about a month, and there has been absolutely no change in the colour consistency. The plasterer did come back out to attempt to fill some holes and cracks, but that was all and not very successful. We were told that as the K-rend will have hardened the surface couldn't be re-scratched.

We've been in contact with the builders as we feel it's their responsibility to resolve as our contract is with them. They have said that taking it all off and starting again is NOT an option as the walls are aircrete and would likely be damaged during removal.

So, can the experts on here suggest some suitable remedies please?
Click to expand...
That is truly horrific. There is absolutely no way that time is going to make that look better.
Your builder should, and probably did, know straight away that it was substandard.
 
Pyrrolo said:
Hi everyone,

First post, so please forgive any errors in etiquette etc.

We've recently had a garage with space above built, and opted for a K-rend finish rather than a 'normal' cement render and paint. However, the finish in our opinion isn't very good - there are lots of light/dark areas, some very evident scratch marks, and a couple of cracks. All in all, it's very inconsistent. Please see pics.

The builders we used for the garage construction has been very good overall, but sub-contracted the K-rend to a one-man-band as it wasn't their area of expertise. The plasterer had done K-rend before but not for the builder. In total, there's about 100 m2 of wall. 50 bags of base coat, and 100 bags of K1 top coat (white) were ordered. The green mesh was applied over all of the wall area, and beading nailed in on corners and edges. The next day, base coat was applied and keyed ready for the top coat - but only 32 bags of base coat were used. Due to poor weather, top coat wasn't applied until the 4th day. It was applied by hand (rather than spray) and left overnight prior to scratching - but again not all of the bags were used, only 67 out of the hundred. The next day the surface was scratched using a hedgehog float.

We immediately pointed out our concerns, but were told it was a normal finish and could take several months to dry out for the colour to be consistent.

However, it's now been about a month, and there has been absolutely no change in the colour consistency. The plasterer did come back out to attempt to fill some holes and cracks, but that was all and not very successful. We were told that as the K-rend will have hardened the surface couldn't be re-scratched.

We've been in contact with the builders as we feel it's their responsibility to resolve as our contract is with them. They have said that taking it all off and starting again is NOT an option as the walls are aircrete and would likely be damaged during removal.

So, can the experts on here suggest some suitable remedies please?
Click to expand...
Hold on, they put the mesh on then base coated the next day? As In pinned it to the wall or some thing?
 
Oh dear yeah as owls said a thin coat system over the top may be the only way without creating a shitload of work! It’s still gonna cost you though as seems your builders not gonna get the correct team in, bummer :(
 
Pyrrolo said:
Hi everyone,

First post, so please forgive any errors in etiquette etc.

We've recently had a garage with space above built, and opted for a K-rend finish rather than a 'normal' cement render and paint. However, the finish in our opinion isn't very good - there are lots of light/dark areas, some very evident scratch marks, and a couple of cracks. All in all, it's very inconsistent. Please see pics.

The builders we used for the garage construction has been very good overall, but sub-contracted the K-rend to a one-man-band as it wasn't their area of expertise. The plasterer had done K-rend before but not for the builder. In total, there's about 100 m2 of wall. 50 bags of base coat, and 100 bags of K1 top coat (white) were ordered. The green mesh was applied over all of the wall area, and beading nailed in on corners and edges. The next day, base coat was applied and keyed ready for the top coat - but only 32 bags of base coat were used. Due to poor weather, top coat wasn't applied until the 4th day. It was applied by hand (rather than spray) and left overnight prior to scratching - but again not all of the bags were used, only 67 out of the hundred. The next day the surface was scratched using a hedgehog float.

We immediately pointed out our concerns, but were told it was a normal finish and could take several months to dry out for the colour to be consistent.

However, it's now been about a month, and there has been absolutely no change in the colour consistency. The plasterer did come back out to attempt to fill some holes and cracks, but that was all and not very successful. We were told that as the K-rend will have hardened the surface couldn't be re-scratched.

We've been in contact with the builders as we feel it's their responsibility to resolve as our contract is with them. They have said that taking it all off and starting again is NOT an option as the walls are aircrete and would likely be damaged during removal.

So, can the experts on here suggest some suitable remedies please?
Click to expand...
@John j
 
Pyrrolo said:
Hi everyone,

First post, so please forgive any errors in etiquette etc.

We've recently had a garage with space above built, and opted for a K-rend finish rather than a 'normal' cement render and paint. However, the finish in our opinion isn't very good - there are lots of light/dark areas, some very evident scratch marks, and a couple of cracks. All in all, it's very inconsistent. Please see pics.

The builders we used for the garage construction has been very good overall, but sub-contracted the K-rend to a one-man-band as it wasn't their area of expertise. The plasterer had done K-rend before but not for the builder. In total, there's about 100 m2 of wall. 50 bags of base coat, and 100 bags of K1 top coat (white) were ordered. The green mesh was applied over all of the wall area, and beading nailed in on corners and edges. The next day, base coat was applied and keyed ready for the top coat - but only 32 bags of base coat were used. Due to poor weather, top coat wasn't applied until the 4th day. It was applied by hand (rather than spray) and left overnight prior to scratching - but again not all of the bags were used, only 67 out of the hundred. The next day the surface was scratched using a hedgehog float.

We immediately pointed out our concerns, but were told it was a normal finish and could take several months to dry out for the colour to be consistent.

However, it's now been about a month, and there has been absolutely no change in the colour consistency. The plasterer did come back out to attempt to fill some holes and cracks, but that was all and not very successful. We were told that as the K-rend will have hardened the surface couldn't be re-scratched.

We've been in contact with the builders as we feel it's their responsibility to resolve as our contract is with them. They have said that taking it all off and starting again is NOT an option as the walls are aircrete and would likely be damaged during removal.

So, can the experts on here suggest some suitable remedies please?
Click to expand...

Absolutely horrific job...problem is builders pay peanuts to plastering contractors to maximise their profits. Rarely do you find a quality plasterer working for a builder. You are better off sourcing your own contractor. Regards sorting the job...needs base boat and mesh over the existing, new beads and thin coat to finish. Around £75 per m2.
 
There's always been cheap trades, it's nothing new. when my grandad was a kid in the 40s there were cheap trades looking for beer money he says. I guess social media just gives them a bigger platform these days, 20 years ago it would have been an add in the paper, another good reason for me not to be on Facebook I guess.
 
Thanks to everyone for their input.

To answer a couple of questions:
- yes, the mesh was nailed directly to the aircrete blocks (as was the beading)
- no, we haven't paid anything yet

As I understand it, there are essentially two options:
- paint over it
- put a skim coat on

Any other thoughts?
 
Pyrrolo said:
Thanks to everyone for their input.

To answer a couple of questions:
- yes, the mesh was nailed directly to the aircrete blocks (as was the beading)
- no, we haven't paid anything yet

As I understand it, there are essentially two options:
- paint over it
- put a skim coat on

Any other thoughts?
Click to expand...
Do not pay a penny for that turd, shocking, got to be some of the biggest scratches I’ve seen
 
I know its an awful drama but... take it off and start again! There is no point in spending money on a thin coat system to go over the top if its not bonded to the building. Try a test patch on the smallest wall. If its only held on by a few felt tacks then you will know quickly the right way to proceed.
 
Pyrrolo said:
I don't know if it's fibreglass, but it was the proper K-rend mesh and, yes, it was nailed on
Click to expand...
Parts have most probably blown then, take it off, I would say tc over it but I wouldnt want it going onto a floppy background and there shoddy work,
 
Pyrrolo said:
Hi everyone,

First post, so please forgive any errors in etiquette etc.

We've recently had a garage with space above built, and opted for a K-rend finish rather than a 'normal' cement render and paint. However, the finish in our opinion isn't very good - there are lots of light/dark areas, some very evident scratch marks, and a couple of cracks. All in all, it's very inconsistent. Please see pics.

The builders we used for the garage construction has been very good overall, but sub-contracted the K-rend to a one-man-band as it wasn't their area of expertise. The plasterer had done K-rend before but not for the builder. In total, there's about 100 m2 of wall. 50 bags of base coat, and 100 bags of K1 top coat (white) were ordered. The green mesh was applied over all of the wall area, and beading nailed in on corners and edges. The next day, base coat was applied and keyed ready for the top coat - but only 32 bags of base coat were used. Due to poor weather, top coat wasn't applied until the 4th day. It was applied by hand (rather than spray) and left overnight prior to scratching - but again not all of the bags were used, only 67 out of the hundred. The next day the surface was scratched using a hedgehog float.

We immediately pointed out our concerns, but were told it was a normal finish and could take several months to dry out for the colour to be consistent.

However, it's now been about a month, and there has been absolutely no change in the colour consistency. The plasterer did come back out to attempt to fill some holes and cracks, but that was all and not very successful. We were told that as the K-rend will have hardened the surface couldn't be re-scratched.

We've been in contact with the builders as we feel it's their responsibility to resolve as our contract is with them. They have said that taking it all off and starting again is NOT an option as the walls are aircrete and would likely be damaged during removal.

So, can the experts on here suggest some suitable remedies please?
Click to expand...

The mesh not being bedded in ie 1st apply material then tooth comb and press the render in is the ultimate sin everything else is cosmetic.

This needs to all come off but only after evidence provided and paid out via small wins claim court.

Your massivley overlooking the worse issue if they have just nailed fiber glass mesh before rendering it will 100% fail.

If your posatuve this is the case all else is irrelevent now im afrsid!
 
zombie said:
The mesh not being bedded in ie 1st apply material then tooth comb and press the render in is the ultimate sin everything else is cosmetic.

This needs to all come off but only after evidence provided and paid out via small wins claim court.

Your massivley overlooking the worse issue if they have just nailed fiber glass mesh before rendering it will 100% fail.

If your posatuve this is the case all else is irrelevent now im afrsid!
Click to expand...
I Agree, but I hacked a house off done in Weber pral m similar circumstances real s**t job,
At first breaking away at it thought there was no mesh same thing they had stuck it to the block work but it had stuck like s*** to blanket pulled the blocks to pieces which I was shocked about,
I hope it comes off with the mesh for the man like you would imagine, if not there aerated blocks they will just shatter and smash the pieces
 
Could do a few pull tests to see how strong it is. If it’s ok then scrim and pin into the substrate with a poly modded base. Silicone/Acrylic finish
 
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