Older house: Lime mortar?

wildefalcon · 01-07-2012 09:43AM #1

Good morning!

I need to re-point the footings of the house, it's early 1900's sandstone construction.

How can I tell definitely whether it's concrete or lime mortar? The mortar is very grey, but very crumbly.

Or would it be smarter/safer to just point it up in lime?

Thanks all!

BryanF · 02-07-2012 11:51PM

ask brendankelly hes around here somewhere

when you say footings, I presume the internal fl is above this?

slowburner · 03-07-2012 09:23AM

wildefalcon wrote: »

Good morning!

I need to re-point the footings of the house, it's early 1900's sandstone construction.

How can I tell definitely whether it's concrete or lime mortar? The mortar is very grey, but very crumbly.

Or would it be smarter/safer to just point it up in lime?

Thanks all!

Yes it is lime mortar, and yes the new pointing should most definitely be a lime mortar.
Pointing with sand & cement in a case like this causes all sorts of serious problems, later.

wildefalcon · 04-07-2012 12:20PM

Yes, I was aware of the concrete being too strong for the older property/flexibility and breath-ability issues and all.

Oh, and yes, the internal floor level is above the footings, and there are air bricks.

Right, better get a bucket of lime putty and leave it to mature for the job.

Thank you.

slowburner · 04-07-2012 08:00PM

Much better to get a bag or two of hydraulic lime mortar (NHL 2.5) from one of the suppliers below.
Mix it at around 3 parts sand to one part mortar, add water until it's the consistency of melting cheese, and away you go.

It's wonderful stuff to work with.

See here
&
here

Older house: Lime mortar?

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