Tyvek causes cracks;
Whitewash

hey Reggie 

I'm a third generation lather/plaster from Baton Rouge,
 Louisiana. I read your column today for the first time. Reggie, it has
been my experience, that tyvek aids in improper curing of cement 
plaster causing awful cracks. Expansion joints over doors and windows
aids in preventing cracks. Also the use of felt paper is the proper
way to go over plywood. Zinc corner beads and expansion joints won't rust and I recommend to use them every twenty feet and over and under
windows and over doors at the corners. Expansion joints go under the
lath; control joints go over the lath. I'm not a very good writer so
don't laugh at my spelling. I was happy to see someone wrote a news
letter on
stucco .By the way, I hate synthetic also.

thanks 
Brandon Collins 
Collins Contractors
since 1936

 Thanks so much for your e-mail. I have always thought felt paper was superior to Tyvek.
First of all, they used it in the old days, before this modern crap was invented. If I'm in doubt what to do, I do things the old way.
Usually, tyvek is on the wall before we start so I lath right over it.
From now on, I'm going to rip it off and put on  tar paper.
 

I was surfing and read the part about white wash.  I've used this and it
works.

Mix this in a five gallon bucket and a good way to measure is with two sizes
of coffee cans.

   * 3 large coffee cans of hydrated lime
   * 1 1/2 small coffee cans of salt
   * 2 gallons of water

Mix this together a little at a time or you won't be able to stir it.  It's
best if you let it sit overnight so that the salt dissolves, but it won't be
a problem to use immediately if the salt was very fine.  It's a wash not a
paint so it should be very thin or watery.

Slop it on with a big brush.  Just give it a stir once and awhile as you use
it.  Going on it will appear as if there is no coverage.  That's due to the
water.  When it dries it will be white.