Lime Mortar Pointing Yorkshire

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.