Masonary painting

[John]

We are having the outside of the Church painted (not too sure I am impressed) but as part of the specification we asked (on the advice of a builder) for the old painted render to be cleaned down to remove all visible traces of algae, etc. and then a suitable fungicide to be applied before the paint.

I got back from work tonight to find they have painted about 50% however at the edges of the new paint I can see the odd signs of dirt/algae and no visible signs of a fungicide.

My (limited) experience is that a fungicide wash would leave slight stains/water marks on the old painted render.

Anyone give me any tips as to what to look for and, if they haven't applied it, what action should we take?

Many thanks

[stuart noble]

I guess the fungicide would be a clear liquid so may not leave signs when dry, but one imagines they would have have applied it over the whole building before starting the painting. If the edges are dirty, it rather sounds like that hasn't been done. Masonry paint is well able to bind up reasonable amounts of dirt and grime, and almost certainly contains its own fungicide. I doubt the pre-treatment would make much difference but obviously you shouldn't be paying for it. I might ask them to show me the empty fungicide containers....

[Bruce]

Tell them to go to Hell.

[Dave Liquorice]

Did they start that day? I'm assuming that this is a reasonable sized building. If so they really haven't had the time to clean down (wet?, let that dry) apply the fungcide and presumably let that dry as well and paint

50% of the building.

They don't appear to be fullfilling the terms of the contract (under English Law a verbal statement and agreement forms a contract, though can be impossible to prove one way or the other).

If that piant doesn't contain a suitable fungicide get them to remove it all, properly clean down, apply fungicide and/or fungicidal paint all *at their expense*.

[John]

I have written them a letter asking them to confirm in writing that they are complying with the specification (which they included in their quote) also stating why I am doubting that they are compliant.