Lime Wash Best Wall Protection?

Frank99

Recently done some mortar repairs to house brick wall, i now want to find the best way to protect the mortar from cracking or falling away in the future.
I was considering masonry paint but i notice most of it is not breathable, a brickie friend told me to look for lime wash paint as it is fully breathable compared to masonry paints and he claims will allow moisture to escape easily.
Anyone have experience of this?

stuart45

What type of wall is it? eg cavity or solid. Did you use lime mortar to repoint? It may not need a shelter coat, depending on how exposed it is, and if you get a lot of driving rain on to it.

Frank99

stuart45 wrote: »

What type of wall is it? eg cavity or solid. Did you use lime mortar to repoint? It may not need a shelter coat, depending on how exposed it is, and if you get a lot of driving rain on to it.

It is a house brick wall. I used some coloured mortar which seems to match the brick better i think it was call stomelux but it was very expensive.
I don't know if mortar only cracks or falls out if it is proud of the other brick or if it eventually would anyway, i did consider some of those brick slips but they were to thick and this was only across a couple of bricks.
Do get some rain going up against the wall however, most of the wall is in perfect condition.

Frank99

Sorry yest it is the outer wall of a cavity wall and thankfully no damp problems inside.

stuart45

The mortar joints are normally OK without the need for a sheltercoat. The joints are designed as a sacrificial item, to be replaced every 50 years or more.