Wondering what the best cement or render product to use to patch up around my new kitchen plumbing. The wall is an internal brick wall. Thanks in advance.
Hi @HReno,
Please note that plumbing work needs to be completed by a licensed professional for safety and compliance.
For patching around the pipework in an internal brick wall like this, I’d suggest filling the deeper chases and voids first with a https://www.bunnings.com.au/dingo-10kg-structural-mortar-repair-bag_p0363480 in layers rather than trying to fill it all at once. Building it up incrementally helps reduce shrinkage cracking and gives the material a better chance to cure properly.
When working around the copper pipework, avoid packing the mortar or render too tightly against the pipes. Copper expands and contracts slightly with temperature changes.
Once the deeper sections have firmed up, you can then apply a finishing coat of render or skim coat over the top to level the wall and achieve a smooth finish ready for painting or tiling.
A product such as https://www.bunnings.com.au/dunlop-20kg-multipurpose-acrylic-render_p0760242 would work well for this type of repair. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
I was curious how you ended up going with patching around the new plumbing and whether the repair blended in nicely once everything cured.
Internal brick patching can sometimes take a bit of experimenting to get the finish level and texture consistent, especially around pipe penetrations.
If you’ve still got the project underway or ran into any issues while rendering the wall, feel free to post an update. Would also be great to see how it came up once finished.
Hi @MitchellMc thanks for following up. I’m running a bit behind schedule and couldn’t find the structural mortar in-store so haven’t started yet.
I did have another question. This wall will be our kitchen splash back and won’t have tiles over it (we’re doing a folded stainless steel benchtop instead). To achieve the best finish for the finishing coat of the wall, is it best to use a fine coat render or a Gyprock plaster topping compound? Or what would you recommend? Thanks in advance
Hello @HReno
Thank you for sharing your question about the render finish on your wall. Your first suggestion of a fine coat finish is definitely possible using the https://www.bunnings.com.au/dunlop-20kg-fine-coat-render_p0760244 . You also have the option of using https://www.bunnings.com.au/gyprock-csr-20kg-hardwall-plaster_p0731635 over the render for a superior finish.
Getting a flat, even finish with render is challenging especially if you've not done it before. I suggest thinking about having your wall finished professionally if the budget allows. Especially if you are after a totally flat, level finish.
Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How To White Set Internal Render
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Pack newspaper around the pipes @HReno. Use mortar mix with some bondcrete to level and finish off wall. I used this method around 10 years ago and it's still good.
