Lime In The Area Of Lincolnshire

Traditional lime mortars play a crucial role in the restoration and long-term preservation of historic masonry, helping to maintain buildings in their original condition and architectural integrity. These mortars are carefully formulated to match the physical and chemical properties of the original materials, ensuring that repairs remain compatible with the existing structure. Lime’s breathable nature allows moisture to evaporate naturally through the masonry, reducing the risk of trapped moisture, decay, and internal damage.

Unfortunately, over the past century, many historic properties have been compromised by the widespread use of impervious Portland cement for repointing and repairs. While stronger in the short term, cement lacks the flexibility and vapor permeability of lime. It traps moisture within the walls, leading to damp issues, salt deposits (efflorescence), spalling brickwork, and longterm structural deterioration.

Replacing incompatible cement mortars with traditional lime-based alternatives is essential to reversing this damage and safeguarding our built heritage for future generations.

Lime wall work examples

Lime Pointing Before And After

Stone deteriorates through the action of moisture and affects of frost. Stone naturally absorbs water which then dries out – a process generally referred to as “breathing”. 

The use of cement mortar can prevent this breathing process, leading to damage in many ways. Cement pointing traps in the moisture, which through the action of frost and the concentration of salts accelerates the decay of the masonry.

Many older stone buildings, or those incorporating cob or timber, shift and move subtly over time or with the seasons.

Sand and cement mortars set much harder than the historic fabric and have little inherent flexibility. When they are used to repair original walls, natural movement can cause cracks through the much softer masonry rather than the mortar joints, whereas soft, durable, and breathable lime mortars, however, will move flexibly with other materials, and have self-healing properties.

All of these problems shown can be rectified by the removal of the cement mortar and repointing with lime. Any stones or bricks that are too damaged can be chopped out and replaced.

lime mortar wall

More Before And After Shots

This stone built field wall was re-built and repointed using Unity Lime’s hot-lime mortar and natural hydraulic lime products.

Lime wall work examples
Lime wall work examples

Before & after: cement pointing removed and repointed with traditional lime mortar

Lime wall work examples
Lime wall work examples

Large section of stone walling repaired using traditional lime mortar

Lime wall work examples
Lime wall work examples

Using Lime with Insulation Boards

We can see in this instance how Unity Lime IWI Lime Plastered system was a recommended solutions to solve significant damp problems using woodfibre insulation and lime plaster. The full system was supplied by Unity Lime.

Using Lime with Insulation Boards

We can see in this instance how Unity Lime recommended solutions to solve significant damp problems using woodfibre insulation and lime plaster. The full system is supplied by Unity Lime, more information can be found on our website.

Lime wall work examples
Lime wall work examples
Lime wall work examples
Lime wall work examples

A well discovered in a garden of a property was re-built and repointed using hot lime mortar, including a new working pump and stone flower bed.

Lime wall work examples

Finished Projects

Lime wall work examples

Traditional Limes were used to help create this stunning look to this kitchen

This Grade II Listed property required the rear and gables to be repointed. The main problem on this property was the extensive amount of cement repointing that had been carried out, this is often the main cause of moisture problems in period buildings. Samples of the existing lime were taken so Unity Lime could carry out mortar analysis, and establish the most appropriate match. The cement pointing was then raked out and repointed with our traditional Cumbrian hot lime mortar. The final image shows the original stonework once the work had been completed.

Property refurbed which was covered in ivy before, which had been there for years. This was all cleaned off and repointed using a traditional lime mortar supplied by Unity Lime