How to slak lime: rules, what you can do, video

The choice of lime for whitewashing walls is due to the fact that this coating has antiseptic properties and does not deprive the surface of its ability to breathe. Whitewashing is quite simple without the involvement of a specialist, and the material is quite easy to work with. Lime whitewashing of walls allows you not to worry about the formation of fungus or mold. The only nuance that should be taken into account is the preparation of the composition in compliance with all the nuances. The most popular is considered to be fluff. It is a white powder that has undergone a quenching process and requires the addition of liquid and various fixatives before application. Lime is sold in two versions - slaked, in the form of a dough (paste) or powder, quicklime, produced in the form of small or large lumps, as well as granules. The latter variety cannot be used for whitewashing. And if only this is available, the mixture is first extinguished. Quicklime is used as an additive in plaster and cement mixtures to improve plasticity properties and bind the components together.

Safety precautions when slaking lime at home

Quicklime and the process of slaking it pose a threat to human health.
The interaction between calcium oxide and water is characterized by a violent reaction: a lot of heat is released, the water boils, and the mixture begins to splash in all directions. Before extinguishing lime, it is necessary to protect the skin, mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth, and protect the respiratory tract. To avoid burns, wear safety glasses, rubber gloves and long sleeves.

The procedure cannot be carried out in a room with closed windows and doors. If it is not possible to check the room, you should use a respirator or gauze bandage. To avoid getting burned by the steam, it is best not to lean over the container.

Why do you need to extinguish?

Whitewashing lime can be slaked in several ways. It's important to do it right. But first, let’s understand the concepts themselves, since quicklime produces a variety of mixtures that differ from each other in composition and purpose.

As a rule, in the store we buy medium or large pieces of burnt limestone. They have not completely completed the chemical reaction, so for now it is not lime, but quicklime. The addition of water is characterized by a violent reaction with the release of CO2, and at the same time a lot of heat is released. Don’t expect a fire, but everything needs to be done correctly and all precautions against burns must be strictly observed.

In construction, both fluff and lime dough (and milk of lime) are often used. Let's see how to slak lime according to the instructions.

Step 1

Take clean, deep dishes. We bring cold water.

To get fluff, put our lumps in a bowl and fill them with clean cold water. A very violent reaction will begin, the mixture will heat up very much, hiss and splash. Be very careful during this time. The right decision would be to immediately put on safety glasses and gloves on your hands.

Subtleties of use

The product is also effective when carrying out repairs, for example, for whitewashing walls. In these cases, a hydrator is often used for slaking - a device for automated slaking of lime and producing hydrated lime (fluff). The required composition is prepared in advance, a day or two before the main operations. In order to obtain rich and light tones of diluted fluff, the proportion is 1: 1. A thoroughly mixed solution is applied to the material with a brush or using a sprayer in 2-3 layers.

Fluff is often added to various formulations. So, added to cement, it forms a viscous consistency that does not crack even after drying.

Lime is a caustic substance, so when working with it, it is important to adhere to safety measures:

work in special glasses and gloves;
during the extinguishing process, you should stay away from the container where the reaction is taking place, since the latter proceeds so actively that you can get burned from flying splashes;
protect the respiratory system with a cotton-gauze mask;
in case of contact with the skin, it is necessary to remove the drops with cotton wool soaked in vegetable oil, and place a compress of gauze pre-treated with 5% vinegar on the injured area;
If the mixture gets into your eyes, rinse them immediately with water and, if necessary, go to the doctor.

Preparing sand for preparing lime mortar

Several types of sand are used at construction sites:

River.
Career.
Crushed mining waste.
Quartz sand is used for textured or artistic plaster.
Barite - for medical institutions and for protecting walls from background radiation.

Sometimes, instead of sand, marble chips are used as filler for decorative surface finishing.

Sand is selected taking into account the fraction and shape of the grains. Coarse grain interspersed with shells is not suitable for forming and leveling walls.

Quarry with a small addition of clay will be an ideal filler for cement-lime plaster. The small cross-section and irregular shape with sharp edges contribute to good adhesion to the surface. A small percentage of clay will prevent the emulsion from settling quickly.

Before mixing, the sand is sifted through a fine sieve with a fine mesh of 3 to 5 mm. This fraction is suitable for starting plaster. For finishing, sift through a sieve with a mesh size of 1-1.5 mm. In the process, pebbles, shells and other foreign inclusions of the large fraction are eliminated. Shell inclusions are suitable for exterior decoration of facades.

River sand, sifted through a sieve Source www.stroyportal.ru

Safety precautions when obtaining a pure mixture

Small particles of lime easily rise into the air and therefore penetrate the respiratory tract. Due to the high humidity of the mucous membranes, the material begins to be extinguished directly in the body.

When extinguishing, a drop of lime can cause severe burns, so you need to adhere to safety precautions:

respiratory protection. To do this, you need to ensure good ventilation; it is better to extinguish outdoors. A respirator or at least a dust-proof bandage is applied to the mouth and nose;
protection of the skin and mucous membranes. To work with lime, you need to use elbow-length rubber gloves, as well as safety glasses, and clothing should cover your entire body.

Cement

Cement plaster mortar. Photo 2

Cement is most often used to prepare plaster; it is the most durable. For mortars, cement M400 is usually used, but other brands can also be used. Hardening of the material occurs in open air and in water within 15 minutes after dilution with filler. The cement surface gains full strength in 28 days.

Kinds

There are two types of lime, which are distinguished by the amount of calcium silicates and aluminoferrites they contain: air and hydraulic. They perform various functions, for example, air accelerates the hardening process of concrete, and hydraulic accelerates reactions in water.

It is important that all fragments of the substance are the same size. This moment indicates that the raw material has been completely calcined in the oven.

If pieces are too large or too small, they may not be completely heat treated, and this will reduce the quality of the finished material.

Based on the type of processing, there are several types of material:

quicklime lump (boiling liquid);
quicklime ground (powdered);
quenched hydrate – Ca (OH) 2;
lime dough;
lime milk.

Lump lime

Lump lime is a mixture of lumps that differ in size. It contains calcium oxide and magnesium, as well as materials such as calcium carbonate, aluminates, and silicates. Magnesium or calcium ferrites, which are formed during firing of raw materials, can be added.

The good strength of concrete is ensured due to the fact that lump lime requires very little water (due to the fine grinding of the material) and produces virtually no waste.

Ground lime

Ground lime has the same composition as lump lime, but the difference is that the lumps of raw materials are ground much stronger and more thoroughly.

The main advantages of ground lime:

strength;
water resistance;
fast hardening.

To increase or decrease the hardening rate, calcium chloride or sulfuric acid is often used (gypsum material is also suitable).

Hydrated lime

Hydrated lime (also called fluff) is a slaked type of material with a highly dispersed composition. Slaking occurs by adding water to the lime raw material. To prepare such a solution, add from 70 to 100% water to the powder.

In order for the lime to completely go through the slaking process, it must be placed in a special pit for 2-3 weeks. This way it will gain optimal strength and ductility. The minimum cancellation period is 36 hours. To prevent the raw material from burning out, it is advisable to add water gradually until steam stops being released.

Lime paste is formed when sufficient water is added to form a plastic material. You can also find a solution such as lime milk (mainly used for whitewashing tree trunks). Lime milk is made by adding excess water to lime dough.

paints and varnishes

Water emulsion is good, but fluff is cheaper and better for disinfection . This is due to the fact that lime, in addition to its coloring ability, has an antiseptic property, and therefore prevents the formation of fungus and mold on any surfaces. This article will discuss the preparation of lime.

Content:

Lime composition

Lime is the name given to materials after firing and special technology for processing natural materials such as chalk, shell rock, limestone and other carbonate rocks. Thermally treated in furnaces of various types at +1000 - 1200 degrees, blocks of rock are transformed into pieces of various shapes.

For further use, they undergo special processing without any chemical components or catalysts. Therefore, the result is a 100% natural material, which may contain a small amount of mineral additives and clay impurities.
Lime is most often used in construction. And not only. Special grades of lime are widely used in the ferrous metallurgy, food, pulp and paper, leather, chemical, textile and sugar industries. Lime is also used by agricultural workers and environmentalists to neutralize flue gases or water runoff.

Popularity of lime

History has not preserved the name of who was the first to think of using the unique capabilities of lime. It is quite possible that this was one of the first finishing materials for decorating the homes of our ancestors. Obtaining patents and copyrights for innovations appeared already in modern history. Now he would be among the richest oligarchs in the world.

Indeed, according to experts, approximately 300 million tons of lime are produced annually in the world. Of this, 120 million tons are sold on the market. Russia is among the leading producers of this finishing material. About 10 million tons of lime are produced annually in the country. Of these, 4 million tons are for construction.

Lime is used the longest and most often for whitewashing of all decorative materials. Its use does not require special skills or physical effort. It is reliable and not too burdensome for the family wallet.

How to slak lime: tips and tools

When quicklime reacts with a small amount of water, lime paste is obtained, to which sand and other materials are added. The resulting substance is used in construction to hold bricks together as a binder.

If the mass is diluted with a large amount of water, you get a lime suspension or milk of lime. In agriculture, the suspension is used to treat the bark of fruit trees against sunburn and to destroy the embryos of parasitic organisms that cause diseases. The solution mixed with other substances is also sprayed on fruit trees and shrubs, and whitewashed borders and building walls.

To extinguish lime, do not forget about safety precautions and follow these tips:

During slaking, lime releases heat. To prevent the container from melting, use enamel cookware.
The fumes released are toxic to the body and can also cause atrophy of the respiratory tract, so wear a respirator.
When slaking lime, an ebullient reaction occurs, accompanied by splashing of the substance. To avoid burns, use goggles, rubber gloves and work clothes that cover exposed areas of the body.
Suppress lime outdoors. If there are windows in the room, open them to create conditions for ventilation.
During the procedure, stay away from the container until steaming ends.
When preparing the substance, use a wooden spatula.

The method of extinguishing depends on the purpose of use.

During this procedure, lime paste is used. It is obtained by mixing lump lime with tap water.

The solution is prepared in a ratio of 1:4. Water is added in small, even portions. After the rapid boiling stops, the substance should be stirred well and filtered. After 1 hour, the solution should be left in a dark room for 1–2 weeks.

To whiten trees, a lime slurry is prepared. For this purpose, lime dough is diluted with water. For 1 kg of lime take 10 liters of water. The solution is used immediately.

When slaking lime, the following tools are used:

enamel container;
wooden spatula;
bucket or watering can for water.

Make sure that during the extinguishing process there are no lumps left and the substance of the ball is homogeneous. You can use a sprayer to treat walls, trees, and shrubs. In this case, do not forget to wear a respirator.

Variety of compositions

Lime plaster is a composition that can be prepared with the addition of sand, gypsum or cement. In each individual case it will have its own distinctive features and qualities:

To prepare a cement-lime composition you will need not only sand and lime, but also M300 cement. Taking 1 part cement, 1 part lime and 3 parts sand and mixing them thoroughly, all that remains is to add water until you obtain a mixture whose consistency resembles thick homemade sour cream. This is a very elastic composition that takes a long time to dry and is not highly resistant to various types of damage. It is easy to work with such a solution, but you need to take into account that it is better to apply it on a solid base. This could be a concrete or brick wall. This solution is used for interior work, but for plastering facade walls the proportion should be changed. You will need 1 part cement, 4 parts sand and only 10% of the amount of cement should be lime. Plaster with lime will be very plastic and quite resistant to the negative effects of precipitation and changes in ambient temperature.
Lime-gypsum plaster is used when carrying out work exclusively indoors. This is due to the fact that gypsum absorbs moisture well, and a composition made on its basis will not provide effective protection for external walls. The composition applied to the walls is characterized by a high degree of strength, quick drying, and elasticity. Gypsum is added to the mixture in small quantities. Thanks to this additive, the hardening time of the mixture is significantly reduced. However, when preparing the solution, you need to remember that it will have to be worked out no later than in 3 - 5 minutes, so mix it in small portions and try to finish the work as quickly as possible. It is much easier to carry out all manipulations with a liquid solution, but this reduces the strength of the finished coating.

This plaster is suitable for both interior and exterior use.

Lime plaster with the addition of clay has been used for many years to create a coating on walls both indoors and on the external walls of houses. Most often, this mixture is used in country estates. Plastering walls with lime mortar and clay is not very durable, so the facade walls of private houses are plastered by adding cement, sand, and gypsum to the solution. This increases the reliability and stability of the coating, reducing the hardening time.

The use of lime plaster to create a coating on interior walls is justified by the ability to perform work on any surface. Wooden walls will not be damaged by rodents and insects, and a mixture with the addition of cement or gypsum will be quite durable.

What additives are added to lime?

Before applying it to the walls, diluted lime is refined by adding various substances to it. Such additives include liquid glass, salt, soap, glue, flour, milk, egg whites and paint colors. Colors for paints go well with lime and allow you to give it any shade.

Adding linseed oil to whitewash makes it more suitable for treating very smooth surfaces that are difficult to coat with paint. Glue and salt make the whitewash viscous; after drying, it leaves no traces when touched. If you add glue or salt and color to lime, it will make an excellent material for interior work in a residential building. In terms of cost, using lime is more profitable than painting walls with water-based paint or other types of materials, and in terms of quality and disinfecting properties, it even surpasses many of them.

What should a high-quality whitewash look like?

The finished composition is checked by scooping it with a spatula. A film should appear on it, thick and white. If necessary, you can add cold water.

The process of whitewashing a wall with lime

The slaked mass is homogeneous, without lumps. To improve the smoothness of the coating, it is recommended to strain it through a mesh. To whiten with a spray gun, strain through cheesecloth.

To improve the properties of the finished solution, it is kept in a cold room for several days. After this, it lies more evenly.

The density of the working solution is also determined by the consumption of the starting substance. The basis of 10 liters of whitewash is 1 kilogram of lime.

Lime can only be tinted - pigments should make up no more than 5% of the total volume. Only natural or alkaline-compatible dyes are used. For a snow-white coating, blue is added.

Facts to note

Treatment should not be carried out more often than once every 4-5 years. On soils with an intensive type of agriculture, it is carried out once every 2-3 years, in accordance with the results of control measurements of pH in the areas.
The use of lime is most rational on heavy (clay) soils, due to its high acidity and high density. The fact is that lime destroys the clay structure, making the soil looser and lighter.
To neutralize excess acidity, lime can be fully replaced with ash from tree species. It just requires 3-4 times more ash compared to lime.
Liming is best done in the fall. This will give time for calcium dissolved by rain to penetrate into the deep layers of fertile soil, it will have time to enter into all the necessary reactions with the formation of soluble and easily digestible minerals by plants, and possible excesses under the influence of winter cold will be neutralized.
The appearance of mosses on the edges of fields, as well as wormwood and horsetails, indicates that it is time to liming the soil.

Lime properties and balance

Plants suffer from excess calcium. But its absence in the soil is even worse. Without it, the soil will not retain hydrogen ions, which provide the correct pH for these types of plants. Adding lime to the soil of a site can greatly, sometimes to critical levels, reduce acidity. You can find out the pH of the soil in a garden or vegetable garden using a set of litmus papers, on the packaging of which you can find all the colors in which they are painted as the pH readings appear, or, what is the same thing, the measured acidity.

The table below shows the desired values for various plants.

Soil pH	Cultivated
6,0 – 7,0	Eggplants, zucchini, tomatoes. Beets, carrots, pumpkin, honeydew melon, cucumbers, leeks, shallots, chives, spinach, rhubarb, chicory, kale, cauliflower, kohlrabi, radishes.
5,0 – 6,0	Potatoes, sorrel, watermelon, parsnips
5,5 – 7,0	White cabbage, corn, garlic, pepper, peas, beans
7,0 – 7,8	Asparagus, parsley, onions, lettuce, celery, artichoke, cauliflower
4,0 – 5,0	Erica, heather, hydrangea
5,0 – 5,6	Juniper
5,0 – 6,0	Pine
6,0 – 7,0	Annuals and perennials planted for site decoration, lawn grasses, ornamental trees (thuja, bonsai). Cherry, plum.
5,5 – 7,0	Pear, apple, wild strawberry, strawberry
4,0 – 5,0	Raspberries, currants, gooseberries, cranberries, blueberries
7,0 – 7,8	Clematis, peony, delphinium
5,0 – 6,0	Phlox, lily
5,5 – 7,0	Rose, iris, carnations

For vegetables, the pH range ranges from slightly acidic to neutral. And we have to look for a compromise, which will be expressed in the desire to allow plants to fully absorb nutrients, which is only possible on slightly acidic soils, up to a maximum pH of 5.5. With such acidity, phosphorus is perfectly absorbed, without which the formation of a full-fledged root system is unthinkable, as well as iron, manganese, and boron.

If you over-acidify the soil and bring the pH value to 4.0 - 3.5, instead of improving nutrition, the plants will begin to refuse to absorb these microelements. But an alkaline environment with pH levels above 7.0 has a similar effect on crops! What was previously actively absorbed and contributed to growth becomes inaccessible. Or, as in some species, hyper-absorption of these elements begins, so much so that the plants become toxic.

The benefits of calcium at normal acidity levels

Activates root nodule bacteria in legumes previously planted on the site, releasing the nitrogenous compounds they contain and enriching the soil with them.
ensures the delivery of carbohydrates to the ripening parts of plants. Thus ensuring their taste, sugar content in the pot, carrots, beets, corn, etc.
Strengthens and cements the walls of capillaries, through which nutrients enter all vital organs of the plant
When added to a compost heap, it helps bind nitrogen and minerals into digestible organic compounds.

The use of dolomite lime flour, fluff lime (a slaking product of quicklime), chalk or drywall (lake lime) can reduce the acidity by the required number of steps. Doses of liming are determined when it is used on test plots of land using indicator (litmus) paper, soil probes and pH meters. These products help determine acidity very accurately.

But there are unmistakable non-hardware ways to recognize this parameter. One of the methods is to target the weeds living on the site and around it.

Rules for using slaked lime

Depending on the purpose of use, slaked lime must be properly diluted and, if necessary, mixed with other materials:

For fertilizing and neutralizing soil acidity. In order for calcium from lime to be better absorbed by plants, calcium acetate must be prepared from the prepared raw materials. For this, 2 tbsp. l. the fluffballs are poured with 0.5 liters of 9% table vinegar. The composition is stirred and left for 1 hour. The concentrate is added to 12 liters of water. Apply 0.5 liters of solution under each root.
For whitewashing country houses. For the fence or walls of a house, take 1 kg of lime powder per 3 liters of water. The resulting solution is enough for 12 square meters. m.
For whitewashing tree trunks from pests. To prepare the solution, 2.5 kg of fluff is poured into 10 liters of water. For better attachment of the whitewash, add 2-3 tablespoons of flour paste, PVA, 10 tbsp. l. shavings of laundry soap or 1 kg of clay.

Fluff is a necessary material in a subsidiary farm. In order not to purchase it in the store, you can prepare slaked lime at home without spending a lot of effort.

Video description

The video will show how to cheaply plaster the walls of a house with lime-cement mortar:
Heavy cement-lime mortar is used for exterior work. It is waterproof and protects the building from low temperatures. For internal ones, light ones with a lot of sand are suitable. It is taken into account that lightweight plasters last less and crumble faster. The frost resistance of such mixtures is lower than that of heavy ones.

Cement-lime mortar for plaster takes a long time to dry, so make a large batch at once. The finished emulsion is left for 15 minutes to “ripen”, mixed again and applied to the walls. If a large volume is prepared, stir the mixture from time to time to maintain homogeneity.

Lime differs in the composition of carbonate impurities. Therefore, before starting the main work on leveling the plane, test batches are made and tested in small areas to determine the optimal proportions of cement mortar for plastering walls.

Test batch for plastering Source yandex.net

Terrasite plaster

Designed for decorative finishing of facades. It has fast setting, so the entire composition is prepared dry and mixed with water in small portions, immediately applied to the facade. After drying, the decorative parts are rubbed down to expose the colored filling.

The complex includes the following components:

Lime fluff.
Mica.
Marble chips.
Broken ceramics or glass.
White cement.
White sand.
Kohler (pigment).

Application of ready-made terrazite plaster Source stroyfora.ru

Water purification

To purify water, bleach is used, which has high disinfection properties. Chlorination of water allows you to avoid outbreaks of intestinal infections and other epidemics.

Constant consumption of such water leads to allergic reactions and contributes to the formation of carcinogens in the body. In water, chlorine can combine with other substances, which affects the appearance of intoxications.

In order to reduce the effect of chlorine on the body, it is necessary to drink water that has been passed through carbon or other high-quality filters. At the same time, bleach is considered one of the most effective means; it prevents the occurrence of cholera and dysentery. Bleach must be used to disinfect wastewater.

Help with burns

A lime burn is a chemical damage to the skin that is fraught with the most unpleasant consequences. Quicklime is an alkali that emulsifies and dissolves sebum, penetrating into the deep layers of the epidermis. Externally, the burn looks like complex necrosis of off-white tissue with the formation of loose scabs. When it comes into contact with the skin and mucous membranes, the alkali penetrates in all directions, so the lesion is much larger than the area of contact with lime. Damaged tissues partially lose their ability to regenerate and wounds take a very long time to heal.

In case of injury, medical assistance should be provided immediately. It is necessary to promptly call a doctor, and while she is on her way to try to improve the victim’s condition. If slaked lime gets on your skin, you should rinse the affected areas with cold water for at least 15 minutes, and then treat with chamomile infusion or anti-inflammatory ointment.

But if a burn occurs with quicklime, then rinsing the skin with water is strictly prohibited, because this can aggravate the situation and cause irreparable damage to health. Most of the substance will come out along with tears, and its remnants should be removed with a cotton cloth and lubricated with oil or grease. By the way, this is the only type of chemical damage when their use is allowed. For any other types of damage, such reagents are strictly prohibited. The wound should be covered with a sterile cloth and then immediately taken to the hospital.

The situation is more complicated if lime gets into the eyes. It causes quite dangerous consequences, including partial or complete loss of vision. Small and medium fractions are not so dangerous; they can only cause conjunctivitis. Large parts literally stick to the mucous membrane of the eye and actually corrode them, penetrating inside and causing sharp pain, burning and spasm of the eyelids.

First aid includes:

instillation of disodium salt, which binds metal ions;
use of painkillers, including local ones.

To learn how to extinguish lime with your own hands, see the following video.

How to slak lime - let's get to work

Lime slaking technology

is such that we need to make fluff, and for this we need to put lump lime in a prepared container. The container should be free of rust, and its depth is determined by the amount of diluted mixture.

Next, the material is filled only with cold water. Moreover, the amount of water is calculated from a 1:1 ratio (1 kg of powder per 1 liter of water)

During the interaction of water and material, the extinguishing temperature can reach 150 degrees, so caution will not hurt

Before slaking the lime, you need to know that during slaking it will splash, but depending on the time of the procedure (from 5 to 30 minutes), the mixture will need to be stirred all the time.

Once the lime has been properly slaked, it is not recommended to use the mixture immediately. It must be covered with a lid, placed in a cool, dark place and kept for 2 weeks to a month. Only in this case will the solution adhere efficiently and perform its functions.

Naturally, the fluff may require additional dilution before use. This must be done gradually to achieve the correct thickness of the mixture. If a dense white mark remains on the stick when stirring, then the mixture is ready for use.

The instructions on how to slak lime are briefly clear to you; you can supplement your knowledge with some specific advice on a specific brand of material by reading the instructions on the package of the purchased mixture. Moreover, you can purchase a slaked, ready-to-use mixture, then these manipulations will not be necessary.

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Lime is a popular material widely used in construction. It is produced by burning chalk or limestone. Usually, to use it, you first have to extinguish it.

Most often this material is used for the following purposes:

creating different types of plasters or mortars intended for creating brickwork, and it is lime that guarantees a mixture with high strength and excellent ductility;
formation of concrete structures, which guarantees an increase in their resistance to moisture;
production of lime whitewash, which has an affordable cost, and it is safe and environmentally friendly, therefore it is used to create wall coverings in various medical or educational institutions;
the creation of various means that cover garages or agricultural buildings, and lime has high antiseptic parameters, and therefore effectively protects these structures from the effects of numerous microorganisms;
the formation of a lime solution, which can be effectively used for whitewashing various surfaces, however, this solution is rarely used in the process of finishing rooms, since modern finishing materials are more in demand;
production of a special whitewash intended for trees, and the material protects the bark from ultraviolet radiation and numerous pests.

Video description

Watch in the video how mechanized plastering of walls occurs:
Before throwing the material onto the plane, beacons are placed so that after drying you can see how much shrinkage has occurred. Mixture consumption per 1 square meter with a layer thickness of 5 mm is 5-6 kg. If the thickness is 10 mm, the consumption will accordingly be 10-12 kg per square meter.

Using a spatula or trowel, apply the finished emulsion onto a grater or rule, moving it from the bottom to the top for uniform distribution over the plane.

Apply onto small areas with a spatula or trowel. After spreading over the entire area, the plaster is finally leveled with a trowel. Large volumes of work are divided into separate sections so that the mixture does not fall off and you do not have to do everything again.

The finished plaster lays down beautifully and evenly Source tekato.ru

Drying of the finished layer takes several days, sometimes it takes two weeks for the cement-lime mortar to completely dry and shrink. It is advisable that during this period the air temperature does not exceed 10-20 degrees. At a comfortable temperature, moisture evaporates gradually, which prevents cracking and peeling.

In hot weather, it dries quickly, first microcracks appear, then large ragged cracks. At elevated temperatures, it is advisable to shade the wall or cover it with polyethylene. Needless to say, sub-zero temperatures are unacceptable for the drying process.

After drying, apply a thin finishing layer and dry again. The wall is ready for painting or other decorative finishing.

Wall alignment Source diy.obi.ru

Varieties

All limestones are divided by origin, color, chemical composition, physical properties, structure, and application features.

The most common colors of this breed are:

White or greyish. Chemically pure limestone rocks, consisting almost exclusively of calcium carbonate, have this color.
Brown and yellow colors are due to the presence of iron compounds.
Red, pink and brown limestone is obtained in the presence of an admixture of manganese compounds.
The green color of this rock is given by the remains of seaweed.
Dark and black colors are associated with the presence of heavy hydrocarbon fractions in this rock. These types of limestone are very rare.

In the first case (the most common option), the reason for their formation is the accumulation of calcareous shells and other fossils in the thickness of the seabed. In the second - chemical transformations during which calcium carbonate is formed. In the latter case, the formation of new strata is associated with the natural transformation of previously destroyed limestones.

Based on the time of occurrence, Jurassic, Triassic, Cretaceous limestones and other types are distinguished. The name of limestone corresponds to the geological period within which its formation took place. Since natural conditions were different in different eras, the limestones themselves were not the same. The composition of the imprints of ancient organisms also depends on the time of their origin, since different types of living beings predominated in different geological periods.

Limestones are also classified by variety. The following types are common:

Dolomitized. Contain a significant admixture of magnesium oxide. At its maximum content, dolomites are obtained.
Coral. They are formed in modern warm seas and form the basis of coral reefs. They have a porous consistency.
Clayey. Such rocks contain a significant admixture of clay. As it increases, marl is formed.
Marbled. Relatively dense limestones of light or gray-blue color. May also contain fossils.

The technology for processing natural raw materials determines the division of construction lime into two types:

quicklime containing CaO;
slaked (hydrate), the main component of which is Ca (OH) 2.

The distinctive features of fatty lime are:

high extinction speed;
heat generation;
plasticity of the composition.

This material is added to mortars to increase the elasticity of the mixture and ease of use. A lean composition has a higher extinguishing rate, and much less heat is released. As a result of processing, the composition turns out to be granular and heterogeneous, and the dough itself has low plasticity.

Lime that tends to harden in air is called air lime. A mixture that can harden in air and water is called hydraulic. In airy lime, up to 12% of the composition is made up of silicates and calcium aluminoferrite, in rare cases this figure reaches 20%. This mixture is widely used when painting porous surfaces of concrete, brick, plaster and natural stone.

According to the parameters of the oxide in the composition of lime, we can roughly distinguish:

calcium – contains up to 2% MgO;
low magnesium – contains 2–5% MgO;
magnesia with a magnesium oxide content of 5–20%;
dolomite, including 20–40% of this component.

Depending on the type of processing of natural raw materials, the following options for pneumatic lime are conventionally distinguished:

quicklime lump or boiling liquid, which mostly consists of Ca (OH);
quicklime ground - this is a material obtained by crushing lump lime, characterized by a powdery structure;
slaked lime is formed by slaking lump lime;
lime body is another material produced as a result of slaking of a lump composition with a dough-like structure;
milk of lime is light-colored lime; calcium hydroxide is present in it both in a dissolved state and in the form of particles.

Based on the rate of extinguishing, the material is divided into three types:

fast-extinguishing (extinguishing speed no more than 8 minutes);
moderately extinguishing (reaction time ranges from 8 to 25 minutes);
slow-burning (requires 25 minutes or more)

How to properly slak lime?

Hydrated lime, that is, slaked lime, is formed during the interaction of lumps or granules with a catalyst, which is water. A correctly carried out procedure is crucial, since, depending on the specific technique, you can get completely three different compositions: lime water, fluff - dry calcium hydroxide, suspension - lime milk.

The quenching process is accompanied by the release of a large amount of heat and is, in fact, a chemical reaction when a substance passes from one state to another

A person pouring calcium oxide with water must take all precautions to avoid getting burned. Along with a lot of heat, splashes are usually present, so wearing personal protective equipment is essential

To carry out cancellation according to all the rules, you need to follow a clear algorithm of actions. Each stage requires thorough execution, since it ultimately allows you to obtain high-quality fluff for whitewashing the surface of the walls. The difference between the compositions is not significant, but it does affect the quality of the work performed, so the recipe should be followed.

First stage

It is necessary to prepare the container. It should be washed well. It's best to take a saucepan. Water should only be used when cold. It is taken in large quantities. Limestone is poured into a prepared clean container and filled with water. For 1 kg of potassium oxide you need 1 liter of liquid

Additives are not always introduced, but it is thanks to the additional components that it is possible to obtain a better quality whitewash. At this stage, extreme caution must be taken. The mixture will begin to heat up, bubble, and splash

Therefore, you should initially work with gloves and glasses. Otherwise, the hot solution may burn your skin and get into your eyes. The reaction takes more than half an hour. You cannot touch the composition until it completely “calms down”. Next, it is mixed with a previously prepared stick. The latter should be wooden.

Second phase

Slaked lime is not used immediately. It must be left to infuse in a cool place. The longer the preparatory solution sits, the better the adhesion properties become. The optimal holding time is considered to be from 5 to 10 hours. Some sources say several weeks, which is quite a long time. Usually a few hours are enough to get a fairly good whitewash, which will then fit perfectly onto the wall surface.

How to increase the durability of the resulting whitewash?

To ensure that the whitewash not only adheres well to the walls, but also does not crumble for a long time, soap or wallpaper glue is introduced into the solution. Lime is also used for exterior wall finishing. Facades are exposed to the harmful effects of atmospheric precipitation, so it is necessary to increase the durability of the composition, which can be achieved by drying oil, which prevents the whitewash from quickly being washed off, repelling moisture. Another disadvantage of lime that worries many is the ability to stain anything that touches the whitewashed surface. To eliminate this disadvantage, ordinary table salt is added to the solution. Its quantity is 1 kg per 10 liters. The amount of drying oil is about 100 ml per bucket of ready-to-use whitewash. Laundry soap must be passed through a grater and then poured with hot water to obtain a solution, which is poured in during the preparation of the mixture. If you don’t have wallpaper or PVA glue, you can use carpenter’s glue. It should be pre-cooked in a steam bath. A similar hot admixture is added before the actual whitewashing, that is, into the already prepared lime whitewash.

Features and recommendations for whitewashing walls with lime

In order to whitewash walls and ceilings, you do not need to have special skills: almost every package of lime contains instructions for use. However, in order to get a smooth and beautiful white surface, you need to know some features of applying lime. So, before whitewashing, the surface of the ceiling and walls must be carefully prepared: remove the old coating and wash thoroughly.

In addition, in order for the lime to lie evenly and not swell, you must use the following recommendations:

To get the best result, you should use a spray gun. In this case, it is necessary to hold the tool at a right angle. It is better to choose a spray gun that has a compressor.
The nozzle of the sprayer or spray gun should be kept at a distance of 150-200 mm from the surface. Apply lime from a sprayer using circular, smooth movements.
Brick walls can be whitewashed with a natural brush. Before whitewashing, the brush must be soaked in warm water for several hours.
When working with a brush, the second layer of whitewash must be applied in the direction of the light: this way the streaks from the tool will be less noticeable.
It is highly not recommended to use it for applying whitewash: when rolling the second layer of whitewash, the first one may not hold up, and the lime will move away from the surface.
It is best to treat surfaces with lime in cloudy weather. So, bright sun rays will not be able to distort the perception, and the coverage will be uniform.

In addition, it is necessary to work in protective equipment. So, you should wear safety glasses over your eyes, cover your hair and skin with a cloth, put a respirator or gauze mask on your face, and protect your hands with rubber gloves.

How to prepare a solution for plastering walls with your own hands. How to dilute, composition and proportions

For plastering walls, ceilings and external facades using “wet” technology, various solutions are used, which are usually classified as:

simple (one-component): lime, clay, cement;
complex (multicomponent): lime + clay, lime + gypsum; cement + lime.

The components of any plaster mixture are binders, fillers and a thinner (water). In order for the plaster to have sufficient operational strength and be convenient to apply, it is necessary to follow the sequence of preparing the mixture and mix the components in optimal proportions.

Some interesting points about lime

If there is no lime to apply as a fertilizer, then ordinary wood ash can replace it. It can also reduce soil acidity and is rich in potassium. This type of fertilizer is applied in larger quantities than traditional limestone or dolomite.
Many inexperienced gardeners make the mistake of replacing quicklime with regular gypsum. It is not worth introducing this element into the soil, since it has no effect on acidity. Its application is required only in highly saline soils in order to crystallize the excess salt mass.
The frequency of use of this type of limestone directly depends on what other varieties are added to it. When adding mineral elements, adding lime is required more often than when adding organic matter. Organic matter is a strong fertilizer in itself, after which additional limestone is not required.
Not all popular garden crops take well to lime; this fact also needs to be taken into account. Lime is categorically intolerant to potatoes, tomatoes, sorrel, peas, parsley, carrots, zucchini and pumpkin. In gardening, there are also plants that react extremely negatively to the addition of lime to the soil, among them it is worth noting aronia, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.

Cooking features

Premature addition of water can reduce the quality of the solution, which also depends on the fat content of the lime itself.
It can be determined during the kneading process. Lime dough sticks to the shovel - lime is greasy and you need to add a little sand. If the solution falls off the shovel without stopping, there is too much sand and you will have to increase the amount of lime. The quantity is determined experimentally. It is added little by little, taking into account that the solution should adhere well to the surface of the wall, giving up some of the moisture.

To prepare a cement-lime mortar, ready-made slaked lime (fluff) is mixed with dry cement in a 1:1 ratio, then 4 parts of clean dry sand are added and mixed thoroughly. Now you can gradually introduce water at the rate of 1 liter per 10 kg of mixture. If necessary, increase the amount of water without stopping mixing the composition.

The clay filled with water should stand for 3 days.

Making a lime-clay composition is perhaps the most difficult thing. First you need to prepare the clay itself. It is filled with water and left in a cool place for at least 3 days. Once saturated with water, the clay becomes soft and pliable. After the allotted time, excess water is drained and lime dough is added to the finished clay mixture. Only after obtaining a homogeneous composition can sand be introduced into it. As it thickens, add water.

It is possible to make any plaster lime composition with high quality only by observing all existing proportions:

3:1 – lime and gypsum;
1:4 – lime and sand;
1:1:4 – lime, cement and sand;
1:3 lime and clay.

Self-lime extinguishing

When slaking lime, it is necessary to follow basic rules so that there is no metal oxide residue, otherwise the quality of the material will deteriorate. It takes about 36 hours for the extinction to occur fully.

First you need to prepare a container for lime; metal products with no corrosion are allowed. Lime is poured into the prepared container.
After this, the powder is filled with water to obtain fluff, add 1 liter of liquid, for lime dough, half a liter per kilogram of material.
Then they begin to mix the entire composition, doing this gradually until the steam begins to disappear.

Basic requirements for slaking lime:

When using slow slaking lime, water is added in several portions.
If work is carried out with quick and medium slaking lime, then water is added until steam ceases to be released, so the powder will not burn out.
You need to know that for whitewashing walls and treating trees, lime is diluted and settled in different ways.
When spraying plants with lime to get rid of pests, the mixture is made two hours before use. Add a significant amount of water and add copper sulfate.
When working with lime, it is necessary to protect your eyes and hands from burns, so you should wear goggles and rubber gloves. When preparing the mixture, do not bend low over the container to prevent burns from the vapors.

Extinguishing rate

Lime is divided into varieties not only according to the recipe, but also according to the time of the procedure. The quenching period is calculated depending on when the temperature subsides, that is, heat ceases to be produced when combined with water:

fast pace - from 5 to 12 minutes;
average pace - from 13 to 22 minutes;
slow pace - 25 minutes or more.

The extinction period has a direct impact on the quality of the resulting solution; it is prepared with some differences. It is necessary to decide in advance at what rate the extinguishing will take place. Otherwise, the quality of the whitewash may suffer.

Slaked at fast and medium rates

The pan is filled halfway with limestone and then filled to the brim with water. Lumps or granules begin to dissolve when steam appears. Stir it with a wooden stick and add a little more liquid. They continue to dilute the substance to obtain the desired consistency even when the extinguishing has already been completed. It is recommended to pour the resulting composition into a working container in which it will be used for whitewashing. Lime that is slaked at an average rate is no different from lime that is slaked quickly. The proportions are also one to one. The difference is that dilutions are not carried out until the chemical reaction process is complete.