Specialists in Lime Mortar Repointing

Buildings constructed with traditional materials last a very long time with regular, sensible maintenance.

From 1919 there was a major change in how buildings were constructed. Between the wars cavity walls and concrete blocks were used prolifically. After 1945 cement and gypsum became widely used in order to meet the need for fast buildings after the war. 

Virtually all old buildings were constructed using lime. It was relied upon as a vital ingredient in mortar, render, plaster and decoration before the use of cement and gypsum became more widespread. 

Lime was slower to build with and required skill and patience from the builder, but produced durable, attractive and healthy results. Damp was allowed to evaporate away harmlessly, and the ‘soft but tough’ materials worked in harmony with seasonal changes in humidity and temperature.

Cement and gypsum set very hard and are impervious to damp. Any moisture which is drawn through even tiny cracks will be trapped and unable to evaporate. As a result, problems will arise such as the dissolving of the lime mortar making the bricks loose.

This is most likely to happen where hard and brittle modern materials are applied to a building whose underlying structure is of the softer, more flexible lime construction. Mixing these two entirely different technologies almost invariably leads to problems sooner or later.

We use the most permeable natural hydraulic lime and a mixture of sharp sands. An appropriate lime mortar to use in the conservation of old buildings where maximum permeability is required.

The more slowly the lime dries out and takes to set, the better and stronger the end result. Frost can be very damaging to lime. As lime takes much longer than cement to go off, the threat from frost is greater and protection may be needed. Usually, external lime application is between April and October. The use of any type of anti-freeze should be completely avoided.

There is no point applying lime products over impermeable modern cement, gypsum, paint and plastic surfaces. All of these and loose lime mortar have to be removed (‘raked’).

Great care needs to be taken in preparation for lime pointing. Removing old mortar may be easy if it is soft and crumbly. However, please be aware that deep, hard cement pointing may be difficult to remove without some damage to the surrounding softer stones or bricks.

We provide friendly, knowledgeable and impartial advice – We’ll tell you if we think that your property does not need repointing.

In fairness to all, we invest time by visiting and assessing each property before providing our bespoke report and fixed price quote for our repointing service for that property. Our customers know that, providing nothing changes, our charge is agreed and fixed.

A recognised mantra across the industry is that none of us knows what we cannot see. Sometimes the removal mortar reveals an unknown. We always talk to our customers if that happens.

At LimeCraft Pointing, we are committed to quality customer service. We listen to our customers enquiries – All queries should be raised with Jeremy.

We are committed to social and ethical values for all.

I am a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), which believes that old buildings have a future. From cottages to castles they are here to help buildings and the people who care for them. Through their unique training schemes they help people put their expertise into practice.

Founded in 1877 by William Morris, SPAB was established in response to the work of Victorian architects whose enthusiasm for harmful restoration was causing irreparable damage. Today SPAB encourages excellence in new design to enrich and complement the built historic environment. They train new generations of architectural professionals and building craftspeople to shape this landscape with sensitivity and skill, and they play a statutory role as adviser to local planning authorities.

Jeremy Clough

www.spab.org.uk