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Render repairs in Chesterfield
Cracked, hollow or missing render repaired properly, with the cause found and fixed so the problem does not return.
What we repair
Cracks
Hairlines, cracks from window corners, and splits along the line where an extension meets the house.
Hollow render
Patches that sound drummy, bulge out or have started to drop.
Missing sections
Areas that have already fallen off, often on gables and chimney stacks.
Damp walls
Rain getting in through failed render on exposed walls.
Window and door edges
Broken reveals left after new windows or doors were fitted.
Old render on stone
Failed cement render on stone cottages, replaced in lime.
Fix the cause first
Render does not fail on its own. Something makes it fail, and if that is not dealt with, the repair will go the same way.
- Water running down the wall from a gutter or downpipe
- Render taken down to the ground, soaking up water
- No mesh at window corners
- Hard cement on soft brick or stone
- No movement joint where new work meets old
- Old ground movement in former mining areas
We check all of these before we price a repair, and tell you if the fix needs a different trade.
Repair or re-render?
We tap the whole wall and mark the hollow areas so you can see them for yourself.
If the damage is in one or two places and the rest is sound, a repair is the sensible choice. If a large part of the wall is hollow, roughly a third or more, patching costs nearly as much as starting again and leaves you with a wall full of joins. Where it is close, we give you both prices and let you decide.
Repair questions
Can a crack in render just be filled?
A fine crack in sound render can sometimes be filled and painted. A wider crack usually means water is getting behind it or the wall is moving, and filling it alone will not last. We check the cause first.
Why does my render sound hollow when I tap it?
That part has lost its bond to the wall. It might stay up for years or fall in the next frost. We cut it out back to solid render and re-render it.
Will a patch show?
On painted render it can be blended in once repainted. Coloured render is harder, because the old wall will have weathered. If a patch would stand out, we tell you and also price the whole wall.
Should I repair old render on my stone cottage with cement?
No. Cement on a solid stone wall traps moisture and is a common reason old render fails. Repairs on stone should be in lime, so the wall can keep drying out.
Could the cracks be from mining subsidence?
It is possible in parts of the area. Old, stable movement can be rendered over with the right system. Cracks that are still growing, especially diagonal ones through brickwork, need a structural engineer first. We will say so if we think that applies.
Describe the damage
Where is it, and how long has it been like that?
Cracked or loose render?
Call and describe it. If it sounds urgent, we will tell you.