Lime Mortar Pointing Yorkshire
Our professional team have undertaken all of the required training at the Scottish Lime Centre Trust and are working towards achieving a Level 3 SQA in Conservation Masonry which also covers lime mortar conservation.
Lime Mortar
Our professional team have undertaken all of the correct training at the Scottish Lime Centre Trust and are working towards a Level 3 SQA in Conservation Masonry which also covers lime mortar conservation. For more information on lime mortar pointing in Yorkshire feel free to get in touch with Gillards Building Services today, we can always be on hand to answer any queries or questions that you may have. Lime mortar first came around in the ancient Egyptian period and was also used a lot when building the Roman Empire. It’s considered to be a traditional building material and has predominantly been used up until the 20th century, with this in mind, it’s important to remember that it is not a cement mortar.
Traditional lime mortar does not include cement it is also not made with hydraulic lime, hydraulic lime sets by reacting with water whereas quick lime is more renowned for the traditional elements it possesses as well as avoiding using any modern ingredients, it was concrete and cement that took over the popularity of lime mortar.
Lime Mortar Repointing in Yorkshire
Lime mortar can be used for many things and this includes: building conservation, much legislation involves that lime mortar is used for listed buildings and buildings that are in conservation areas. As well as traditional properties, a lot of heritage property owners may opt to repair their property using the original materials in order to preserve period details. Lime mortar can also prevent damp, it is important to match the capillary rate of the existing mortar. It is a breathable material and must remain so, especially in older traditional buildings that have solid walls. Lime mortar is also great for structural movements, this is due to its flexible nature as it can move. Another reason why lime mortar is popular is because it is environmentally friendly, the carbon footprint of lime is a lot lower than cement so it is responsible for up to 10% of the global C02 emissions. So with this in mind, there are many advantages of using lime mortar repointing. Please get in touch with us today for more information about lime mortar repointing in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.
Conservation Lime Mortar
A popular use of lime mortar is for conservation projects, for a number of years, those who specialise in historic building repairs are aware of how using lime mortar for repairs and restoration can provide a range of benefits. Lime mortar will take longer to set and must be left overnight to shrink, this will help to reduce the risk of cracks after beating back the lime. Pozzolans need to be added to the lime mortar to harden it, this provides more protection from the elements or weather.
The lime mortar can harden quickly and provide protection from the weather, as well as being a substance that is reliable and predictable in use. Lime mortar also comes in different colours, so when you are repairing a heritage property or listed building, you can match the colour of the existing render or mortar.
Lime Mortar Pointing in Yorkshire from Gillards Building Services
At Gillards Building Services we are fully equipped and experienced to provide lime mortar pointing in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas. Our expert team have undertaken all of the correct training and have all relevant qualifications in Conservation Masonry which also covers lime mortar conservation in Yorkshire. Whether you have a heritage build property or a traditional building, we can provide the best lime mortar testing to suit your needs, our team will be in touch with the Scottish Lime Centre Trust who will verify the materials that have been used and recommend the most suitable service going forward. For more information about lime mortar pointing in Yorkshire, get in touch with Gillards Building Services today.
Client Testimonials
We had a problem with deterioration of a sandstone wall due the joints being pointed over with cement mortar stopping the drying of the stone. We were advised by a specialist that the mortar needed to be taken out and repointed with a lime mortar and advised that it needed to be done by hand not mechanically and we should look for a mason experienced in such work. Thankfully we found Gillards. Lee and his team were very knowledgeable and knew exactly what the problem was and have done a fantastic job. I would highly recommend Gillards Building & Maintenance Services and will use their services again if the need arises.
Yorkshire Lime Mortar Pointing
The look and appearance of the brick and stone masonry will involve the mortar joints as much as the stone and bricks themselves. The wrong type of repointing can affect the durability and the look of the masonry. It tends to be the most common cause of damage to the fabric and character of historic buildings and properties. Repointing of a building is needed when it comes to buildings exposed to the weather or if they are affected by specific problems like leaking pipes or gutters. Sound historic mortar should be left as it can be an essential part of the significance and character of a building.
Modern cement render isn’t compatible with the construction of older buildings and it can cause and lead to decay. Modern building’s structures use outer layers and cavities that will help to keep moisture out, older buildings will rely on permeability and breathability which allows water to be absorbed and then evaporated. Using a cement render instead of traditional lime mortar pointing can restrict this evaporation process. Hairline cracks may form, this is due to the mortar being a lot more rigid than the wall, they will then draw in water which will become trapped in the material. Timber and earth constructed buildings may also suffer from structural damage if the moisture builds up behind the cement.
Pointing is the process of filling outer parts of joints, joints that are between masonry units, it can be done as a part of other work, or it can be carried out by striking off the bedding mortar flush with the face of the masonry or separately if the outer part of the bedding mortar has been left or has been taken back from the surface. When it comes to brickwork and stonework the profile, texture and width will affect the visual character and in these cases locally available materials may need to be used as they will support the building visually. Over the years bricklayers have tried to ensure that their projects look as regular as possible, from the Elizabethan and Tudor periods, there was a trend towards narrow joints, this is because bricks of consistent sizes were more readily available. Joint width also tended to be associated with status, for example, the quality of the brickwork, the narrower the joints, culminating in gauged work when joints could be less than millimetre wide.
For Choosing The Right Binders and Aggregates
Lime binders are available in different types and are suitable for many applications and locations, the two main types of lime binders are non-hydraulic lime and Hydraulic lime mortars, they are mostly known as being made from lime putty, burnt lime stone or hydrated powders quick lime and nhl Both are available in a hydrated powder form this is why it is referred to as ‘builders lime’, it is used as a plasticiser in a cement mortar or more suited for applications where a natural air lime won’t set usually in very damp or wet conditions it isn’t suited for making traditional lime mortars.
Hydraulic lime has been found to have similar properties to cement after stated setting times. NHL lime hardens by reacting with moisture and needs wetting down periodically after applications this is needed to create the hydraulic reaction.
Quick lime sets by reacting with co2 as air circulates the building the lime reacts pulling the moisture content out this reaction is also part of the curing process. If supplied as lime putty, the lime will be protected from the air because it’s saturated with water and then can be covered with a film or water from the moment that it’s made. In its dry form, the lime will be supplied in bags or sacks as dry powder or small granular lumps of quick lime it is important to store the lime in the correct conditions or premature carbonation will be inevitable and its performance will be less predictable.
Stone Conservation
When it comes to stone conservation, traditional masonry wall construction tends to include walls that have been built before 1919 and will work on the basis that moisture going into the wall will be able to escape as water and water vapour as easily as possible. Lime mortars can handle the transmission of water and water vapour when it comes between the inside and outside of masonry walls. Cement mortars are known for being essential to buildings and structures and they can change the way that a wall handles water and water vapour. Cement mortar will have consistent structures that will trap water, rather than letting them breath, something that’s not an issue with modern cavities and wall construction. Trapped moisture will expand in freezing cold conditions and the mortars will fail, this can cause damage to the surrounding masonry. Masonry walls should be maintained and repaired, like roofs need to be, where they are solid without a cavity, ensuring that they are in good shape is needed when it comes to the interior remaining functional and dry. Pointing tends to be the most common and effective repairs.
Why consider lime pointing repairs:
- If the original lime pointing has decayed over time and needs replacing, this may just be gradual decay from weathering or poor maintenance.
- The masonry has been repointed with cement mortar and its causing problems to the building, this will need replacing.
For Lime Mortar Pointing in Yorkshire, Contact Gillards Building Services
For lime mortar pointing in Yorkshire, Gillards Building Services can help, we are home to a team who are qualified and equipped to provide lime mortar pointing. So if you need lime mortar repointing or conservation lime mortar in Yorkshire or any surrounding areas, we have got you covered. At Gillards Building Services we are specialists in lime mortar and can help with all of your needs and requirements. We have been fully trained by the Scottish Lime Centre Trust and our team have a Level 3 SQA in Conservation Masonry which also includes lime mortar conservation. For more information on lime mortar pointing in Yorkshire, simply get in touch with Gillards Building Services today, our team will be available to answer any queries or questions that you may have.
Lime Mortar Pointing Near Me
Our Work
FAQs
What is lime for pointing?
Pointing involves filling the gap that is between masonry units such as joints, with mortar, this protects the masonry from water and decay. Before starting lime for pointing, it’s essential that an assessment is carried out, by considering the original masonry, you will be able to see small stones that have been laid between bigger stones, the stones are there to provide support and will be big areas of aggregate that will reduce the amount of mortar used in the joint. For more information on lime for pointing, please get in touch with the team at Gillards Building Services today, we can always be on hand to help.
Should I use lime mortar for pointing?
Using lime mortar for pointing in masonry means that you can use a material that will be both porous and softer in comparison to mortars that use cement. This also means that the moisture can then evaporate from the joints more efficiently, this will then reduce the moisture that is in the fabric of the building. Using lime for pointing can also decrease the chance of soluble salts rising to the surface of the stone, over time salts will build up and can cause brickwork to spall or the surface to start breaking down. Should you require more information on using lime mortar for pointing, simply get in touch with Gillards Building Services today.
What is the correct mix for lime mortar?
There are a number of lime mortar mixes used, however they don’t always work, a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio tends to be recommended for bricklaying or repointing, it may depend on the type of sand that you are using too, sand will vary depending on the quarry that it has come from. Mortar mix ratio will be related to the percentage of voids that are in the sand and this will be established through void testing. It can be determined by the amount of binder that is used. British Standards – BS 812-2:1995, Testing aggregates presents the way to determine voids and other properties of the sand like absorbing water, bulk density and particle density. Should you have any questions or queries regarding lime mortar mix, get in touch with Gillards Building services today.
What is the best mortar mix for pointing?
Again this will all depend on a number of factors such as where you are using the lime mortar as well as the type of sand that you are using. The standard mix for lime wall pointing tends to involve 5 parts sand, 1 part cement then add plasticisers, this should be done following manufacturer’s instructions. We then recommend that you use the maximum amount when you are mixing by hand, when it comes to brickwork or patios, you may need to make a stronger mix, such as 3 parts sand, cement. Should you require more information on lime mortar pointing, simply call on the team at Gillards Building Services today.
What sand should I use for pointing?
When it comes to using sand for pointing we advise that you use a dry building sand, plastering sand or kiln dried jointing sand. Some choose to use a sharp or coarse sand however this may result in a rough-looking finish when it is used for dry grouting. It is important that the surface is completely dry before application as this can result in the sand sticking and causing a stain. For more information on the type of sand used in lime pointing, you can contact one of our professional experts today.
What colour is lime mortar?
Again this can vary and will all depend on the type of sand used, lime mortar that is mixed with locally sourced sand will become a pale yellow or off white colour. When it is burned at particular temperatures it will produce a hydraulic or non hydraulic quicklime, this will produce a dry surface that will be white or offwhite in colour.
Can I use sharp sand for pointing?
Yes you can, however it is not recommended should you require the best possible finish. Using a dry building sand, plastering sand or kiln dried jointing sand is recommended, you can use a sharp sand but you will receive a more rough looking finish to the surface.
How to mix lime mortar?
When mixing lime mortar it’s essential that this is done consistently this is to make sure that any fine agglomerations have been broken down. At the time of lime being mixed it will need to be controlled, we advise using a paddle or pan mixer as this is known for being the most effective action and can be used if a longer mixing time is needed.