Diagnosis first
We start by establishing what the wall was built with and what is failing. That means the stone or brick type, the original mortar, any later cement repairs and the exposure of the elevation. Only then do we specify the mix.
What we specify
- Lime mortar matched to the building: NHL 2, NHL 3.5 or NHL 5, or lime putty for the most sensitive work
- Aggregate chosen to match the colour and texture of the original
- Joints finished to the original profile
- Work carried out in accordance with BS 7913:2013 and any listed building consent conditions
Too strong a lime on soft stone causes the same problems as cement. Getting the grade right matters as much as choosing lime.
Removing cement from a lime building
Cement pointing on a lime-built wall holds moisture in the masonry. In winter that water freezes and the stone face spalls. Removing it is careful work, mainly by hand with chisels rather than power tools, so the stone arrises are not damaged. Where faces have already gone, masonry repair comes before the pointing. Read more in why cement pointing damages Yorkshire stone and how to spot failing lime mortar on a listed building.
Price
Lime repointing is in the region of £55–£150 per m², including raking out. Listed and conservation work may sit toward the higher end because of material matching. Scaffold, where needed, is included in your quote as a separate item, not in the per m² rate. We give a written quote after a site assessment. See all prices.
Weather
Lime is sensitive to frost and fast drying. We do not point when frost is forecast within 48 hours of completion, and we protect joints in hot or windy weather. Spring and autumn are often the best time for lime work.
Where we work
Conservation areas and listed buildings are common in Saltaire, Harrogate, Ilkley, Skipton and Bradford. For the method in full, see lime mortar repointing.