In the UK we often think of weather issues as being something at the other end of the spectrum – too cold, too wet or too windy to work – rarely do we ever highlight the fact that it's too sunny! It’s important to keep an eye on temperatures when working outdoors as keeping yourself and your materials cool is essential on any project.
Hot weather in particular can cause cementitious materials to go off much quicker than usual. Render that stiffens too quickly can become weakened, as the cement has not given time to hydrate fully and reach its full strength.
We've outlined some of the main things to watch out for when applying render in hot weather, as well as some top tips for looking after you and your crew when working in the hotter months:
Check the temperature of the substrate before applying - not just the air temperature – retained heat will affect freshly-applied mortar.
Be careful not to saturate the substrate as this can lead to cracking and a poor bond between render and substrate.
Follow the sun around the building to avoid applying in direct sunlight
Hot, windy, or other conditions that can cause faster-than-usual drying conditions mean it may be necessary to mist the render twice daily for three days after applying to avoid it drying too quickly.
It’s not just materials that need extra attention when it’s warm. It’s important to take care of yourself and your crew when working in hot conditions. Here are our top tips for keeping cool on site:
In hot weather it’s particularly important to stay hydrated. Consider bringing a fridge on site for the duration of the heatwave and keep it stocked with water. Physically intensive work (like what you’ll be doing on site) in heat will cause you to sweat more than usual, so make sure you’re drinking lots of fluids. It’s best to drink small amounts often so as not to become dehydrated.
As much as we all love our morning coffee, caffeine can be dehydrating, and is best avoided in high temperatures. If you really can’t do without a cup, keep it to a minimum, and make sure you’re drinking enough water to compensate.
If you’re working inside you might be thankful to be out of the direct sunlight, but you could be missing out on the breeze too. Depending on the trades that are working on site, keep doors and windows at opposite sides of the building open to create a nice cross breeze.
While you may be tempted to go for the bare-chested look under your high-vis, it actually won’t make much of a difference in cooling yourself down, and will leave you open to sunburn. Instead go for a loose, light-coloured cotton t-shirt.
Where you can, keep to the shade. Take lots of breaks, and make sure people are rotating in and out of the sun.
Protect yourself further from the sun by using and reapplying SPF throughout the day.
The most important thing is to keep yourself cool when working in hot conditions. If you feel lightheaded or dizzy at all, take a break, find some shade, and drink some water.
We care about building better for people and the planet, so ensuring you look after yourself and those around you during the hotter months is key to producing your best work.
Discover more top tips for rendering in different weather ->
If you're unsure about using our products in hot weather, please feel free to ask us a question – we're always here and happy to help.