Façade renovation: mistakes to avoid before covering the wall

A crack alone does not determine whether filling, monitoring or a more substantial intervention is appropriate. Record its location, known development and associated signs. Where the cause is uncertain, ask what further investigation is needed before finishing. Resin injection is not a universal response.

Buildwise’s introduction to NIT 296 relates cleaning to material, dirt and façade condition, with trials and protection of adjacent areas. Agree a trial area and expected outcome. Visible dirt does not automatically justify an aggressive method.

The substrate may have been repaired, painted or assembled from different materials. Ask for its identification and an explanation of system compatibility. Age alone neither dictates one binder everywhere nor establishes that every old layer can remain.

Request the chosen system’s requirements for substrate condition, drying between coats, temperature, rain, wind and protection. One product’s threshold or waiting period is not a rule for every render. Agree how unsuitable conditions will be handled.

Buildwise distinguishes substrate checks from acceptance of render on insulation. Agree appropriate inspection points before repairs, junctions and intermediate layers are covered. Retain photographs and observations; these support checks but do not alone prove complete compliance.

Review preparation, areas, scaffolding, protection, junctions, waste and exclusions. Clarify how newly discovered work will be priced and approved. A low total does not prove dishonesty; different scopes can explain price differences.

Check proposed alterations with the municipality. Guichet.lu describes the Luxembourg framework; French procedures do not apply automatically. Where insulation grants are involved, check their conditions separately before starting.