Lime Mortar Repointing
Lime Mortar Repointing in Swindon and Wiltshire
Repointing is one of the most important repairs an old building ever gets, and one of the easiest to get wrong. At Limeway Wiltshire we rake out failing or unsuitable mortar by hand and repoint in lime, matched to your brick, stone or flint, so the walls can breathe and the masonry is protected for decades.
We repoint period homes, cottages, farm buildings, boundary walls and listed buildings across Swindon, Wiltshire and the neighbouring counties, and we’ve done so since 2010.
What Is Lime Mortar Repointing?
Repointing means removing the outer part of the mortar joints between bricks or stones and replacing it with fresh mortar. In a building put up before about 1920, that mortar should be lime. Lime is softer and more porous than the masonry around it, so moisture leaves the wall through the joints, and any movement or weathering happens in the mortar, which is easy to renew, rather than in the bricks or stones, which are not.
Many old buildings have been repointed in cement at some point. Cement is harder and less breathable than the masonry, so water gets trapped behind it, and the faces of the bricks or stones start to crumble and spall. Replacing cement pointing with lime stops that damage.
Signs Your Walls Need Repointing
- Mortar that is crumbling, sandy or missing, with recessed or open joints
- Hard grey cement pointing that is cracking or pulling away
- Brick or stone faces flaking, spalling or eroding next to cement joints
- Damp patches inside on solid walls, especially after rain
- Plants, moss or water staining in the joints
How We Repoint
- Survey and advice. We look at the wall, the existing mortar and the masonry, and explain what it needs.
- Mortar matched to the building. We choose the lime and sand to suit the brick or stone, in strength, colour and texture.
- Raking out by hand. Old or cement mortar is carefully raked out to a suitable depth without damaging the arrises (edges) of the bricks or stones.
- Repairs. Loose or damaged stones and bricks are reset or replaced before pointing.
- Pointing. Joints are dampened and filled in layers, then finished to suit the building, from flush to brushed or struck.
- Protection while it cures. Lime needs time and the right conditions to set, so new work is protected from sun, wind, rain and frost.
Related Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does lime pointing last?
Properly specified and applied, lime pointing typically lasts many decades. It is designed to be softer than the masonry, so it weathers first and can be renewed, protecting the bricks and stones for much longer.
Can you repoint over cement?
No. Lime needs to go into clean, raked-out joints. Where a wall has been pointed in cement, we remove it first, carefully, so the masonry is not damaged.
When is the best time of year for lime work?
Lime cures best in mild, damp conditions, so spring to early autumn is ideal. We avoid frosts and protect new work from hot sun, drying wind and heavy rain.
Do I need listed building consent to repoint?
Like-for-like repairs are often allowed without consent, but changes to the mortar type, colour or joint finish on a listed building usually need it. Check with your local conservation officer first; we are happy to help with the details.
What affects the cost of repointing?
The size of the area, access and scaffolding, how hard the old mortar is to remove, how much repair the masonry needs, and the finish required. We give a clear written quote after a site visit.
Areas We Cover
We carry out lime mortar repointing throughout Swindon and Wiltshire, including Marlborough, Chippenham, Devizes, Malmesbury and Cirencester. See all the areas we cover, or get in touch for a quote.
