Lime mortar pointing
It is important to keep walls in good repair, particularly solid walls. Damaged lime mortar pointing can let damp through, causing deterioration to the building fabric.
Pointing may need to be repaired if the original lime mortar has gradually degraded over time. This can be caused, for example, by leaking rainwater pipes, or may simply be due to the age of the mortar.
mortar pointing
The other common reason for needing to replace pointing is that the lime mortar has been replaced with inappropriate cement mortar.
Old stone buildings should always be pointed with lime mortar to allow them to breathe. This helps prevent damp problems and keeps the stone and mortar in good condition.
We are very experienced in pointing with lime mortar. Many conventional tradesmen prefer to use cement mortar because it is easier to use, but this can be very detrimental to your property. It can also be extremely difficult to remove, as it is so hard!
Lime Plastering
To ensure an old, solid walled building can breathe, it is also important that lime plaster and breathable paint is used on the internal walls. If non-breathable plasters and paints are used, damp can’t pass through them, and you may be faced with the depressing sight of plaster and paint flaking off the wall.
If lime plasters are used, then a small amount of damp or condensation in your walls will not cause a problem, as the moisture can pass harmlessly into the air when conditions are right.
Lime plastering is quite an art, and is something we specialise in.
Lime Rendering
In many old buildings, the stone or brickwork was covered with a lime render, and often limewashed. Sometimes, unfortunately the old render has been replaced with a modern, cement based equivalent, causing breathability problems and damage to stone and brick work. There’s a common theme here, and if render is used on an old building, again it is vital that it allows the building to breathe, or problems are inevitable at some point.
off brick wall
