Traditional renders and plasters were almost always lime based and therefore breathable. Under normal circumstances, older buildings will function well if they are allowed to work as they were intended.
Mortars, plasters, renders and finishes should all be made of lime and allow moisture to pass through and evaporate away. Cement, gypsum plaster and plastic paints are universally available and there are very few old buildings which have not had some modern materials applied to them. If your building has already been treated with modern materials watch the building carefully for any signs of problems.
Repairing lime based buildings with lime based materials can often solve many of these problems and will invariably prevent more from developing.
Abode Renovation Faversham Ltd
Canterbury Road
Faversham
Kent
ME13 8LY
Office. 01795 530 503
Mob. 07734 559 089
Mob. 07716 434 500
www.traditionalbuildingsupplies.co.uk