Unveiling limewash
Welcome to Heritage Lane's guide to Discovering how you can make your own limewash for less than today's shops are charging, plus explore the natural benefits of this traditional coating.
What is limewash?
Limewash is a traditional coating made from limestone that has been burned, slaked, and then diluted with water. It's been used for centuries on buildings, especially period properties, providing a beautiful, breathable finish.
Why pay lots of money for shop bought products, when you can easily make your own limewash?
Why pay shop prices when you can make your own, achieving the best and cheapest finish? Heritage Lane shows you how to create high-quality limewash at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for homeowners looking to save money without compromising on quality for their period buildings.
Calbux 90 is a powdered quicklime that consists of a minimum of 90% pure lime, it costs around £20.00 for a 25kg bag, and there's are approximately 5-10 seperate limewash mixes per bag, so just add it to clean water! CAVEAT! - when you add this to clean water, you commence the 'slaking' process which is a highly exothermic reaction, so safety gloves, goggles, and outdoor mixing is very highly advised!
Start with a 5ltr METAL bucket (the exothermic reaction will normally melt plastic!) Add 3 litres of cold,clean water. Next, slowly add 1 litre of calbux 90 powder to your water, and stand back as the reaction commences! YOU WILL GET BURNED VERY QUICKLY, IF YOU TRY ACTING SPEEDILY, OR STUPIDLY, SO DON'T! Next,
GENTLY stir the mix to ensure the lime is absorbed into the water, and then leave it alone to cool slightly, but try to use it as warm, but as you safely can because as the lime absorbs the water it expands, so by applying it warm means that the limewash cools on the surface, and obviously shrinks back, which improves adhesion to the surface (substrate) you are coating.
When finished using it, just keep it covered and air tight in a clean container, which ensures it's usable again the next time you need it.
If you want it thinner, just add and stir in, more water to your desired consistency
You can also colour your limewash; most good lime suppliers will supply colourants.
Benefits of limewash
Limewash offers natural moisture passage, allowing walls to 'breathe', which prevents damp and structural damage through salt hydrolysis.
It is naturally anti-bacterial, which helps to create a healthier environment.
Why stop at buildings?
Limewashing the base of trees, (fruit trees especially) helps to keep little climbing robbers from eating your crops!
