Damp patches..repointing at this time of year?

Clairabella

I moved into a new house last summer. At the time the surveyor did point out that the pointing needed attention at some time but, money is tight so I put it off. I now have three largish damp patches appeared which I think might be water ingress. I dont think its rising damp as the damp looks to be running down from the patches which are about 70cm above the skirting boards. Is this the wrong time of year to have the house front repointed, should I wait for warmer weather? How do I find a decent builder,I dont want a botch job and know none as I'm new to this area. Thanks.

LauraS56

It's not the ideal time of year for repointing, but if water's coming in that could be worse. Before assuming it's the pointing, make sure it's not something like an overflowing gutter above.


Many local councils have a 'trusted tradesman' register (it might be called something else - Safe Trader is the name for it here). Tradesman get to be on it on the basis of good reviews.

Clairabella

Thanks. Via a house rental company I managed to find two reputable builders. Both suggested I wait until spring to do the work. One said it had to be a lime mortar and other a reinforced cement mortar. The house is Victorian era build of sandstone (I think). Does anyone else have views on what the mortar should be made of?

dj1471

Clairabella wrote: »

Thanks. Via a house rental company I managed to find two reputable builders. Both suggested I wait until spring to do the work. One said it had to be a lime mortar and other a reinforced cement mortar. The house is Victorian era build of sandstone (I think). Does anyone else have views on what the mortar should be made of?

Lime. The walls of old houses need to breathe which cement mortar doesn't allow. It'll cost more but it's the right way to do it.

Have a look at this article for some info: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertyadvice/10360509/Jeff-Howell-do-I-need-to-point-stonework-with-lime-mortar.html

Clairabella

dj1471 wrote: »

Lime. The walls of old houses need to breathe which cement mortar doesn't allow. It'll cost more but it's the right way to do it.

Have a look at this article for some info: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertyadvice/10360509/Jeff-Howell-do-I-need-to-point-stonework-with-lime-mortar.html

Thank you. I've read the article and done a bit more googling re the lime mix.