[Strawbale] plaster/stucco application

[Jeff Ruppert]

The difference between the Tirolessa sprayer and a real mortar or 
plaster pump is quite significant.  The Tirolessa sprayer is very 
effective, but it means scooping out of a wheelbarrow and can get 
tiring.  A mortar sprayer can spray 1/3 of a cubic yard in minutes.  We 
have had a mortar sprayer for years.  It sprays so fast, two people on a 
mixer cannot keep up with it.  We are not doing that work anymore and 
ours is for sale.  A mortar sprayer is an expensive piece of equipment 
that requires skilled operation and maintenance.  They are difficult to 
find for rent because they can be broken if not used correctly.  They 
are not cheap to fix. 

We have used the Tirolessa sprayer on smaller projects with great 
results.  Both are effective for the appropriate scale jobs.  A mortar 
sprayer will cover 3000 to 4000 sf in a day with a crew of 7.  That is 
some serious coverage and cuts the plastering time down to a fraction 
compared to applying it by hand. If you do not have a crew, do not try 
to find a mortar sprayer.  You need skilled people to trowel immediately 
or it will set up in the hoses and on the walls before you get to touch 
it. 

Jeff Ruppert, P.E.
Odisea LLC
www.odiseanet.com





Jefferson Davis wrote:
> I'm building a straw bale house in CT. I'm all ready to apply the 
> stucco/plaster, but for a number of reasons I'd like to spray on at 
> least the scratch coat. I'm having a hard time finding any good 
> information on spray applications. It seems to me that in the broadest 
> sense it is simply a matter of having a hose (what size?), a hopper of 
> mixed material, a compressor and the correct nozzle. Anyone got some 
> good info?
>
>
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