Lime pointing is one of those jobs that looks straightforward from the outside but makes an enormous difference to how a traditional building performs when it’s done correctly — and an equally enormous amount of damage when it isn’t done properly. Based in Much Wenlock, I carry out traditional lime pointing and repointing work across Shropshire and the surrounding counties, working on everything from rural stone cottages and sandstone farmhouses to brick-built Victorian properties and historic boundary walls. I’m not a builder who uses a bit of lime – I’m a dedicated lime specialist who only uses traditional lime – so you know your property is in safe hands.
If your property has been repointed with cement at any stage — which is common across Shropshire’s older housing stock — there’s a good chance it’s causing problems you may not have connected to the pointing yet. Getting the right lime mortar specified and applied correctly is one of the most impactful things you can do for the long-term health of an older building.
You can contact me on 07904449728 or email me at naturallyplastered@gmail.com
Traditional stone and brick buildings were designed around lime mortar from the outset. The joints weren’t just there to hold the masonry together — they were the sacrificial element of the wall, designed to be softer than the surrounding stone or brick so that any movement, moisture or thermal expansion was absorbed by the joint rather than the masonry itself.
Cement mortar reverses that relationship entirely. It’s harder than most of the stone and brick it sits against, which means when movement occurs — and in older Shropshire properties built on clay soils or rubble foundations, it always does — it’s the masonry that cracks, not the joint. Add in cement’s impermeability and you have moisture trapped behind a skin that can’t breathe, accelerating decay in the very material it was supposed to protect.
Lime repointing restores the wall to how it was designed to function — flexible, breathable, and sympathetic to the masonry it sits against.
Mortar selection is one of the most important decisions in any lime pointing job, and it’s not one-size-fits-all. The two most common options for traditional masonry work are hot mixed lime putty mortars and natural hydraulic lime (nhl) mortars, and choosing between them depends on the stone or brick type, exposure levels of the property and existing moisture conditions.
Lime Putty Mortars The softest and most flexible option, lime putty mortars are ideal for sheltered or internal applications and for use against particularly soft or friable masonry — common in Shropshire’s older sandstone and rubble stone properties. They cure slowly through carbonation, producing a beautifully workable mortar that remains slightly flexible throughout its life. For sensitive historic masonry, lime putty is often the most sympathetic choice.
Natural Hydraulic Lime (NHL) Mortars NHL mortars set through a hydraulic reaction as well as carbonation, making them more suitable for exposed locations, below-ground work, or masonry that’s subject to regular moisture or driving rains/wind. Available in different strengths — NHL 2, NHL 3.5 and NHL 5 — the right grade is selected based on the exposure and the hardness of the surrounding masonry. Strong enough to perform in demanding conditions while remaining far more breathable and flexible than any cement-based alternative.
The correct specification is established during the initial site assessment. I don’t select a mortar from a catalogue based on its colour, I select it based on what the wall in front of me actually needs.
Every re-pointing job is different and requires an in person visit to assess and quote the work required. Elements such as access, removal of any cement based mortars, scaffolding and potential repairs will all be taken into consideration.
The existing joints, masonry condition and moisture levels are assessed before anything is touched. Where cement pointing is present, the extent and depth of removal required is established at this stage.
Where cement repointing is present it needs to come out carefully, raking, cutting and hand tooling to avoid damaging the surrounding masonry. This is time-consuming work but it’s non-negotiable. Leaving cement in place and pointing over it doesn’t fix the problem.
Joints are raked back to a suitable depth, cleaned out and dampened down prior to application. Proper preparation is what separates pointing that lasts from pointing that fails within a few years. Joints must be square at the back and ready to take new mortar.
Mortar is applied in lifts where joints are deep, worked into the joint thoroughly and finished to an appropriate profile for the building — whether that’s a flush, weatherstruck or slightly recessed finish. The profile matters both aesthetically and practically.
Fresh lime mortar needs protection from frost, direct sun and drying winds while it cures. Proper curing management is a crucial part of the job, not an afterthought. Hessian sheeting is hung usually for months after application of new mortar to create a perfect microclimate for the new mortar to carbonate
Lime pointing jobs frequently uncover stone that’s spalled, eroded or structurally compromised — particularly on Shropshire’s older sandstone properties where the stone itself can be relatively soft. Where masonry repairs are needed alongside repointing, I carry out sympathetic stone repairs using compatible lime-based mortars and, where appropriate, pinning and consolidation work to stabilise loose or failing sections.
Every stone repair is approached with the same principle as the pointing — compatible materials, appropriate specification, and a finish that respects the age and character of the building rather than standing out against it.
Removing cement and failing mortar from a sandstone cottage in Bridgnorth to re-pointing an 1800’s brick built property in Shifnal and re-building sections of stonework on a cottage in Shrewsbury, my customers have always been left very happy! Here’s what they’re saying..
If you’re looking for lime plastering, lime pointing or stonework repair in Shropshire then please feel free to get in touch via the form below.
Every property and every job is a unique story, requiring an in-person survey to enable us to give you the best advice. To arrange a tailored on site quote, please use the form below or give us a call to get in touch.
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Lime pointing and repointing raises a lot of questions — particularly for homeowners who’ve had cement repointing done in the past and are starting to notice the consequences. Below are the questions I hear most often from Shropshire homeowners considering lime repointing for the first time. If yours isn’t on the list, give me a call — I’m happy to talk through what your walls need before any work is committed to.
Cement pointing is usually fairly obvious once you know what to look for — it tends to be harder, greyer and more uniform in colour than the surrounding stone or brick, often slightly proud of the masonry face or with a very sharp, clean profile. In older properties, if the pointing looks noticeably newer or harder than the rest of the wall, there’s a good chance it’s cement. Cracking along the masonry face rather than through the joint is another strong indicator that cement is doing damage.
Yes, pointing lime mortar over existing cement doesn’t resolve the underlying breathability problem, and the two materials won’t bond or perform well together. The cement needs to be carefully removed first, which is time-consuming but essential. The depth of removal matters too, raking back 20–25mm is typically the minimum to get a joint that will hold properly..
A well-specified and properly applied lime mortar joint on a traditional building should last many decades — some historic lime pointing has been in place for well over a century. The key factors are correct mortar specification for the masonry type, thorough joint preparation, and appropriate curing after application. Lime pointing applied correctly outlasts cement repointing on traditional buildings without question.
Lime mortar and frost don’t mix — fresh lime pointing needs protection from freezing temperatures while it cures, which typically rules out working in conditions where overnight frost is forecast. As a general guide, lime pointing is best carried out between April and October in Shropshire, though mild spells outside those months can be workable with appropriate precautions. I’ll always factor seasonal conditions into project planning.
Getting a close colour match takes experience and careful aggregate selection — the sand and aggregate used in the mortar has the biggest influence on the finished colour. On jobs where visual continuity is important, I assess the existing mortar and work to replicate it as closely as possible. It won’t always be an exact match, particularly on very old or unusual mortars, but a sympathetic result that sits naturally against the masonry is always the aim.
Yes, and it often makes sense to deal with stone repairs and repointing together rather than as separate jobs. Spalled or eroded stone is repaired using compatible lime-based mortars matched to the surrounding masonry, consolidating the wall properly before the pointing is finished. Leaving damaged stone in place and pointing around it is a short-term approach that usually leads to further deterioration.
Absolutely — lime mortar is the correct choice for any traditionally constructed solid-wall building, whether it’s built from stone, handmade brick, or a combination of both. The mortar specification will differ depending on the hardness and porosity of the brick, but the principle is the same: the joint should always be softer than the masonry it sits between, and it should always be breathable.
For most unlisted properties, lime repointing is considered routine maintenance and doesn’t require planning permission. For listed buildings, any repointing work — even like-for-like in lime — may require listed building consent depending on the local authority and the extent of the work. It’s always worth checking with your local planning authority before starting on a listed property. I’m familiar with the requirements for historic buildings across Shropshire and happy to advise on what’s likely to be needed.
Lime pointing and repointing requires patience, the right materials and a genuine understanding of how traditional masonry performs, it’s not a job that benefits from being rushed or underspecified. Working exclusively with lime means every mortar mix I use, every joint profile I apply, and every material decision I make is considered in the context of the building’s long-term health rather than what’s quickest or most convenient.
Covering Much Wenlock, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Telford, Church Stretton, Oswestry and the wider Shropshire area.
From listed cottages and historic farmhouses to churches and heritage buildings, I work with homeowners, property custodians and conservation-minded clients in Shropshire who want to care for their buildings using traditional materials and sympathetic repair methods.
Whether your property requires lime plastering, lime pointing, stonework repairs or breathable renovation solutions, every project is approached with an understanding of how traditional buildings were designed to function. By using appropriate materials and time-tested techniques, I help preserve the character, integrity and long-term health of older properties throughout Shropshire and the surrounding counties.
Sensitive repairs and traditional lime work for protected and historic properties.
Breathable lime mortars and repairs designed to work in harmony with traditional stone construction.
Helping maintain the character and performance of Shropshire’s historic rural buildings.
Traditional materials and craftsmanship suitable for buildings of historic significance.
Experience working with lime-based materials appropriate for places of worship and historic community buildings.
Supporting sensitive restoration projects where preserving original fabric and breathability is paramount.
Three-coat lime plaster systems using traditional non-hydraulic lime mortars.
Improve comfort and thermal performance of older properties whilst maintaining breathability.
Traditional stone repairs, rebuilding stonework and masonry conservation in Shropshire.
Breathable repointing for stone and brick buildings using appropriate lime mortars.
Currently Accepting New Projects
Traditional Lime Plastering and Heritage Lime Pointing Services for Shropshire’s Older Properties.
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