jvc

Wasn't sure if there are any reputable french builders/painters on here? We have a home which has crepi on the exterior and would like to know if it is easy to get it painted over? We have noted there is no Inox in one of the chimneys, hence the reason we have lost some of the rendering (Crepi) on the outside of the chimney due condensation. We have someone to repair the Crepi in the Spring next year, but also wan't to get the Crepi repainted on the whole of the house? I have read that Crepi cannot be painted, or at least is a sod to do. Does anyone have any useful comments on this material?

dmu

Hi, I wouldn't say he's reputable, but my OH says it's quite possible to paint over crépi. For old crépi, you look for "façades extérieures dégradées" at your local DIY shop and simply paint over the crépi. It's relatively quick and simple, using a roller....

Chatter Static

Get a painter in as they will spray the house which would make the whole process a lot easier but the term Crepi is pretty loose as it includes concrete renders as well. It would make sense to check that none has blown hollow taping sound i.e. it unbonds from the wall but doesn't fall off.

Is the house insulated as if it is not now days you can get it wrapped in a big blanket then re rendered with an epoxy mesh to prevent future cracking.

jvc

Ok good thanks. Yes the house is extremely well insulated, we are lucky in that respect. It is just the chimney that requires new rendering as the condensation has formed due to the lackof the inox in the boiler chimney. The wood burner one was done and is fine, it is just the Boiler chimney.
All good advice thanks.

InVinoVeritas

Well I like to think I'm a reputable builder but I've retired now after 20 odd years building and renovating in France.
You don't mention how the chimney is constructed which is important as putting in a stainless steel duct may not solve the problem.
If the house is recent is should be with boiseaux which are terre cuite insulated square blocks normally 40x40 stacked on each other (often fitted upside down in error which can give the same problem).
If the crépis (I've always seen it with an s at the end) is dropping off you should be able to see what's underneath.
Let me know and I'll give you some more advice on how to deal with it.

dmu

I beg to differ, it's "crépi" in the singular!

InVinoVeritas

Well if you want to be pedantic…crépi is the past tense of the verb crépir so it can be neither singular or plural.

Like many words in French the spelling of this word varies - in the building industry it more often appears with an "s" on the end than without. See the following suppliers for example:-

http://www.fdmmarseille.fr/produits/monocouche/
http://www.sopas-sa.ch/

dmu

Well, I like being pedantic! The term "crépi" is the past participle of the verb "crépir" and is used both as a noun and as an adjective. Look in any dictionary....
With all due respect, you were also being pedantic, "correcting" our spelling!

InVinoVeritas

I did not correct you, I merely said I had seen it more often with an "s". If you wish to fall onto this particular sword then so be it but a language is, after all, defined by common usage so in this case there is no right and wrong spelling.

jsbach

Returning to the subject, I used a roller to paint my crépi façade. I bought an expensive, shaggy roller which succeeded in holding more than enough paint to get into all the nooks and crannies. It was hard work and involved plenty of ladder-work. Getting a professional to spray the house was clearly the most effective way, but the costs involved were prohibitive.

InVinoVeritas

In many ways there are advantages in painting over crépi/crépis as it’s so much easier to repair the odd chipped corner. Also the discolouring caused by humidity near the ground or the drip lines up near the roof tiles can be covered up.

What paint did you use in the end?

Peabrain

I'm afraid I have to agree. 'Crépis' with an 's' is a wild flower, to be found in fields. It has yellow or pink flowers. Also known as 'crépide' (feminine), and for those classics scholars, its etymology is Greek, then Latin. I'm not sure it would be of much use on an outside wall.

'Crépi' is the correct spelling for what you might want to cover your walls with. Un beau crépi may refer to excessive use of make-up for a woman; depending on what the speaker is looking at.

Interesting, innit, although perhaps not important enough to get one's knickers in a twist.

jvc

Eeek! To spray or not to spray? Either way, judging on the cost of painting the interior of this place, it ain't gonna be cheap!!!!

Tweedpipe

I've seen manual crépi machines in my local Bricomarche, and often wondered if they're any good. Looks like THIS.
I note that one can also hire them - THIS one's a little more sophisticated.
A couple of different types in action follows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmGO_SS5lp0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgJz9qglSHs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8M0qJ0HZrk

Chatter Static

I can find plenty of examples of "Crépis" with google but imho think it's an old word which is more out of fashion in France in relation to coating walls.

That aside the OP needs to clean the walls first a get a good jet washer clean off any mildew that has grown before painting the house.

I had one of them it got tossed in the bin