The short answer
- Built before about 1920, stone-built, listed or in a conservation area: lime.
- Modern or post-war construction, originally pointed in cement: cement.
How to tell what you have
Lime pointing has a soft, slightly textured look, often buff, cream or grey, and crumbles slightly rather than snapping or chipping. Cement is harder and greyer. If you are not sure, describe the property when you contact us and send photos.
Why the difference matters
Lime is breathable, slightly flexible and sacrificial. It lets moisture out of the wall, takes up seasonal movement and is the weakest point by design, so the mortar gives before the stone does.
Cement is less permeable. On a solid lime-built wall it holds moisture behind the joint. In winter that water freezes and the stone or brick face spalls. Once a face is gone it generally cannot be repaired without replacement. See why cement pointing damages Yorkshire stone.
On the right building, cement is the right repair. Correctly applied cement pointing on modern brick lasts well. We do not quote cement on buildings that need lime.
What it costs
- Cement repointing: £50–£70 per m²
- Lime repointing: £55–£150 per m², including raking out
Scaffold, where needed, is included in your quote as a separate item, not in the per m² rate. Cement is cheaper on the day. On a lime-built wall it costs more later, in damaged stone. See all prices.
Either way: rake out properly
Both repairs start by raking failed mortar out to 15–25mm minimum without damaging the arrises. A thin layer over shallow joints does not bond and fails early.
Not sure?
If the wall is damp or the pointing is failing and you do not know why, start with a leak and water ingress inspection. Then read our pages on lime mortar repointing and cement mortar repointing.