Repointing old stone cottage gable ends

arroli

We have received a quote for repointing a random stone cottage, 2 x gable ends

We did some searchiong on internet, and advice seems to be that its best to use lime mortar and sand, which appears to air dry to form a moisture repellant barrier

Our builder has mentioned today that if they use lime additive, it will make filler look white...which is what we dont want, really want a medium brown colour

We also have a query as to if cement mix should also be added...have tried to find out on internet but all seems a bit vague..

any advice welcome
thanks

Mojisola

Is your builder a specialist in old buildings? You can create problems for the future if you don't get this right. A good builder experienced in dealing with old buildings will know exactly what to do.

If you tell an ordinary builder how to do the job, there will be no come-back on him if there are problems. He will have just followed your directions.

bobhawke

If it is a listed building then you will probably have to use lime pointing with no added cement. I don't know the ins and outs of it but cement pointing is too strong and causes the stone to fail first, lime pointing is weaker and causes the pointing to fail rather than the stone and so preserves the building.

The colour of the pointing can be matched. You can take a sample of the mortar to some businesses who can analyse it and tell you what lime and sand to use in what mix.
Check the contents tab on this site to read more about it.
http://www.masonsmortar.co.uk/

It sounds to me like your builder doesn't have a clue what he is doing. I would probably employ a stonemason for the job.

arroli

My builder tells me he will use a mix of 3.1.1 sand, cement and lime mortar, as without cement part, render may not set with just sand and lime

he is coming on Monday to mix some mortar to do some test pointing so we can see finished results

basically, we want something that is going to waterproof the joints as at present, most of old grouting has fallen out or been repaired with lumps of cement

bobhawke

http://www.periodpropertyshop.co.uk/acatalog/Plastering.html

Lime and sand has been used for a hell of alot longer than cement.
I would keep the builder well away and get someone who knows what he is doing.

Mojisola

bobhawke wrote: »

. I would keep the builder well away and get someone who knows what he is doing.

Totally agree with this!