We are frequently being asked this by people coming across forums on the web that express deep concerns about spray applied textured coatings especially those who have read the Ask Jeff article in the Telegraph online or have had a bad experience with a company going bust.

Wethertex have nothing against the concept of spray applied paints and clear coatings as several of our own products – namely CRC and our Masonry paint – can be sprayed as well as rollered or trowel applied. We believe it is not the method of application that is important but the type of product being sprayed onto certain walls is unsuitable and also poorly trained spray technicians do not follow the correct application guidelines.

What to avoid with spray applied textured paint coatings.

We have put together the following guide to help concerned home-owners spot poor practices:

1. Ensure adequate access equipment is being used to allow the spray gun to be held at right angles to the wall and approx 2 feet back from the wall. In other words avoid companies using ladders or towers on large areas or long-lance type guns.

2. If your walls are solid ie no cavity or you have damp issues try to avoid using any coloured spray textured coatings. These type of walls need to breathe and to our knowledge hardly any spray applied texture coatings come within the British Standard for breathability recommended for older solid wall homes. If in doubt ring the British Board of Agrement for advice .

3. Always find the manufacturer and contact them directly to see if the company doing the work is authorised to do so and that the product they are using is able to deal with damp in the walls. Unless the product is a clear coat it is very unlikely to avoid causing more damp problems.

4. Avoid having the spray applied during autumn and winter as the primer used needs to have around 16 hours curing at 20 degrees and the paint coating itself cannot be rained upon for quite a few hours after treatment so the wall will need to be fully sheeted over.

5. If the spray paint is being applied over a new or replacement render and the house is solid wall you must first apply to Building Regs as it is the law to include solid wall insulation.If the spray company are using sand and cement render then again avoid winter or late Autumn applications.

6. If an existing render or pebble dash finish is being over sprayed make sure the guarantee you are given covers remedial work if the render underneath the new coating comes away from the wall .

Eliminate the Risks

By taking these simple steps you can avoid a lot of misery and extra costs but to remove all risk and worry why not just use the services of Wethertex and our industry leading kite marked wall coatings instead !!