What do you mix with Limecrete?
The lime concrete is mixed in the following ratios: 1 Part NHL5 : 1 Part sharp sand : 2 Parts 12 – 18 mm aggregate and approximately 5 – 6 litres of water per 50 kg of lime. This is mixed in a nearly dry condition with only just sufficient water to allow the material to be bound in the hand.
How do you make Limecrete?
Ingredients: Two parts lime, two parts sand, one part brick dust, one part ash, one part straw, an egg white or two (to taste). Method: Mix it all up in a cauldron, whisper a few encouraging words at the mixture, then pour.
How thick should Limecrete floor be?
Whilst some companies will lay these floors at 125mm thick it is usually recommended at 150mm deep. Limecrete is never left without a covering of tiles, flags or engineered timber on battens and these are laid on a screed and bedding mortar above the insulating limecrete.
What is a Limecrete screed?
A limecrete screed is laid down at an approximate depth of 80mm using a mix of Natural Hydraulic Lime (NHL5) and coarse sand. Movement joints will be required in large areas of screed with heating pipes. The perimeter of the screed is insulated with a cork insulating board.
Can you reinforce Limecrete?
Limecrete is strong enough under compression to be used as the floor slab in a home. It can be strengthened by increasing the lime content and by adding fibres.
Can you polish a Limecrete floor?
Can I polish limecrete? Polished Limecrete is not something that we generally advise, although it can be done successfully.
How long does Limecrete take to set?
The curing time is approximately 7-14 days depending on temperature, care should be taken to ensure the screed does not dry/cure too quickly. To avoid rapid drying mist spray to add moisture to the screed.
Is Limecrete any good?
It prevents damp penetration, provides insulation, maintains breathability and provides a solid, durable floor, in character with the original building. But it is an expensive option using materials that are tricky to work with, and not necessary as often as might be imagined.
How thick is a Limecrete slab?
100mm thick
The slab is a mixture of 0-20mm uncoated clay aggregate and NHL5, it is mixed at 3:1 (Aggregate : NHL) and then gently compacted to form the slab. The slab is usually laid at 100mm thick.
How long does Limecrete take to cure?
Is Limecrete stronger than concrete?
It has a certain amount of flexibility compared to concrete. It is strong enough under compression to serve as a floor slab material, and can be strengthened by adding fibres and increasing the lime content.
What is Limecrete made from?
Then on level and compacted ground lay the loosefill sub base before a geotextile membrane to prevent the next layer, the limecrete slab (made of 3 parts clay aggregate to 1 part NHL5 by volume), contaminating the sub base.