Lime pointing

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A badly eroded, cement pointed wall.
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After careful descaling and pointing in lime
Lime based mortars have been used successfully for a thousand years. They have stood the test of time due to the fact that they are flexible, breathable and softer than the stone itself. The mortar should be there to act as a barrier to support the individual stones, not a glue to stick them together.

Cement mortars have been used more recently, as they seemed a relatively cheaper and easier option to lime. The truth is  that they are only a short term fix. They are hard, brittle and non-breathable, trapping water in the stone, creating serious long term damage through cracking and shearing.

This is all before you consider the beauty of lime pointing compared to its counterpart.

For a lot more examples of our lime pointing please view our  gallery
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Typical stone damage caused by cement pointing
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 We use only the finest quality natural hydraulic lime. It is combined with a sharp sand of suitable colour and  consistency.

Firstly we rake out the old mortar back to a sound base,  being careful not to damage the stone. Then the lime mix is pressed into the void. It is brushed off as it slowly cures revealing the aggregates within. It is covered in damp hessian to set slowly for two weeks and protect it, finally revealing its beautiful finish .

We will carry out any type of lime pointing, whether it be ashlar or rubble stonework or brickwork.
Tel:  07543 692392  or  07711 409410