Lime is a cost-effective alternative to cement plaster. This versatile building material is not only used as an exterior plaster but is also suitable for designing interior walls. Depending on the purity and quality of the slaked lime, the mortar is creamy white or light beige. In this way, you can ideally achieve a beautiful, radiant white look.
Water usage in the lime & plaster manufacturing industry
Lime plaster is a mix of lime, sand, and water. This blending creates a malleable putty that can be applied to structures to form a cost-effective plaster. The form of lime plaster that uses the most water is known as hydraulic lime. This form of lime plaster is originally a powder but becomes a putty when it comes into contact with water.
There exists no overall figure for the amount of water used in the lime and plaster process. However, data says that current water usage on construction sites was 148 cubic metres of water per one million spent in construction.
Sustainability in the lime & plaster manufacturing industry
Water sustainability in the use of lime plaster comes down to two main practices: water conservation within hydraulic lime and the use of non-hydraulic lime.
Hydraulic hardens by a chemical reaction called hydrolysis caused by water. This reaction leads to a quicker and tougher setting, making these limes more frequently used for outdoor applications, especially in exposed or humid environments. Hydraulic limes come as powders in grades of hardness.
The amount of water required for each batch of hydraulic plaster can normally be found in the instruction manual included, or in the case of a construction site, it should be obtained from the supplier. The water needed for lime plaster depends on where it was sourced but the nearer the source the better to lessen the carbon footprint.
Non-hydraulic sets by carbonation; this makes it set far more slowly, and the lime remains softer and more porous.
Castle Water’s services
At Castle Water we understand the importance of effective water management and industry-specific water services; which is why we provide a range of water services tailored to your business, such as:
- Ensuring your trade effluent license is appropriate for your water usage and that your allowance is adequate.
- Providing consolidated billing if you operate multiple manufacturing plants.
- A host of wastewater management services for leftover by-products.
- Helping with the installation of new connections.
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FAQs
What's the history of lime plaster?
Lime plaster is one of the more inexpensive types of plaster today and is therefore popular with many builders. However, since ancient times, advanced cultures have been engaged in lime production for their buildings.
Pure natural lime that is burned has always been known as a building material. Egyptians, Romans and Venetian architects have long used lime plaster applied to walls as decorative elements.
At that time, the more lime plaster, the better educated and wealthier the builder or owner was.
Where does lime come from?
Limestone is a naturally occurring raw material that covers up to five percent of the earth's surface. Limestone is a sedimentary rock and consists mainly of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), composed of the minerals calcite and aragonite. Limestone is a very variable rock.
Its properties, formation and appearance are very diverse, and its economic uses are far-reaching. Due to its complexity, limestone has even given geology its own specialisation, carbonate sedimentology.
Most limestones are of biogenic origin. However, there are also chemically precipitated and clastic limestones.
How is limestone mined?
Limestone is mostly mined in open quarries, and rarely is underground extraction in mines. Before mining, however, the deposits must be explored in detail. They are surveyed using geophysical methods and core drilling to verify their quality and condition.
Permission to dismantle after the assessment depends on several factors. The operator of the future quarry must observe many laws, ordinances and official provisions.
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