first time pointing

[Anonymous]

As the chimney goes through our loft ( converted) it is unrendered brick (it is rendered on the other floors) The lime morter is loose and crumbly in some places and the outside of some of the bricks is gives off a constant fine powder. Just enough to be annoying. I would like to try repointing it myself as it is such a small area and I am under cover. Does anyone have an opinion on whether this is a good/bad idea - or has anyone tried it themselves - with not much previous experience? Can I do anything really wrong as long as I use the right materials? And can anyone recommend a good book that would explain to me about materials and methods? Sorry for so many questions at once. If it's relevant, our house is a brick/ cob cottage with a tiled roof anf was built in 1680 ish.

 

[Anonymous]

This sounds like an ideal project to learn about the joys of lime mortar, a topic covered in some depth on this forum.

As for books: I fully recommend Hugh Lander's House Restorers Guide ISBN 0715383868. This is out of print now, I think, but it's worth tracking down. Lander has a no-nonsense appoach and is splendidly un-PC about the evils of modernisation, plastic windows etc. A great bedtime read.

I have no experience with powdery brick, living in a limestone area, but ask the forum about stabilising solution or PVA sealers and you will receive a barrage of good advice.

 

[Anonymous]

"ask the forum about stabilising solution or PVA sealers and you will receive a barrage of good advice."
And I'm willing to bet that it will all try to persuade you not to use them. You would, in effect, be sealing the wall up in a plastic overcoat, and we all know how uncomfortable that can feel.

 

[Anonymous]

Many lime suppliers (Ty Mawr, Mike Wye etc - look at the suppliers listed on this site or Google 'lime' and 'uk') run 'introductory days' where you can learn the basics of working with lime. If you're keen on having a go yourself, it's money well spent, as you can learn infinitely more with a 'hands on' approach than you can from any number of books. It's addictive stuff!

 

[Anonymous]

Just playing devil's advocate... I absolutely agree that some so-called remedies are often part of the problem. But I am interested to see what is suggested as a clear, non-darkening porous sealer to take care of those dusty bricks. Any ideas?

 

[Anonymous]

I have racked my brain over the dusty brick problem and I can't think of anything, bar rendering the upstairs section as the other two floors are.

 

[Anonymous]

Take a look at OSMO OS. I am pretty sure that you can use their 000 in this situation. I have only used their products on wood so can't give you a personal opinion. It is breathable etc. Mike.

 

[Anonymous]

limewash ?

 

[Anonymous]

I don't know what to use except PVA, But that is probably a no..no..
I have never used anything else
I suppose all you want is something that will soak through and bind the material/dusty surface/matrix of the bricks.
If it would be Limewash,
How thick ??
Watery or single cream?
What type...... Hydraulic?
Several coats??
or would it be better to render.

What do you reckon.

What is OSMO OS

 

[Anonymous]

I reckon that rendering is what you'll end up doing - I don't see any other effective solution. Just be sure you render in lime mortar.

 

[Anonymous]

Jake - do a google on osmo os. It's excellent stuff. I use gallons of it. Mike.

 

[Anonymous]

Limewater is something which has been recommended before on this forum - try a site search. Don't use PVA or anything else which will be impossible to remove in future from historic bricks.

Is it the bricks giving off dust or the crumbly lime?

Jane Schofield's little book on lime is well worth reading - less than a fiver. SPAB publications has it.

Pointing indoors should be easy! However, try to match up new mortar with old.


http://www.spab.org.uk

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you. It is the brick giving off the dust - very red and fine. Are you saying it is possible to limewash without rendering first?

I am trying to find out about weekend courses. South Norfolk council say Cressing Temple in Essex is the nearest to me, but I find it hard to believe there is nothing in Norfolk. Does anyone know of any? Or does anyone want to run one!!!!!!!???????

 

[Anonymous]

I'm saying that, if you want to leave the brick exposed, we have had past posts about limewater rather than hard sealants - which isn't limewash. I think it's a very thin solution of lime in water painted on, I'm sure a site search may reveal more, but I've no personal experience.

If the surface is crumbly then I think getting render or limewash to stick over that may be difficult! If it's only dusty then yes try limewash after re-pointing. If it's only a small area then lime render and limewash would possibly match up with the rest.

Osmo may be worth following up, and it may be that there are other breathable stabilisers, I'd avoid anything plastic though.

 

[Anonymous]

Pointing is easy if you get a bit of hands on demonstration and guidance first. Be prepared to travel to find a course. And as its a relatively small job, you can cheat and buy ready mixed lime mortars in sacks that can be delivered to you. It's much more expensive than a bucket of lime putty and various sands, but it's money well spent if you don't have the confidence to mix your own, or you can't find a good sand source.

I know I'm probably mad, but I find pointing really theraputic. I think because it requires patience, but is regular and you see a real difference after you've done it.

Sue

 

[Anonymous]

As far as I know there are no lime building courses run in Norfolk. I travelled to Mike Wye in Devon for my course! I believe Anglia Lime of Sudbury is the nearest place running courses but their web site is not up at the time of writing so I have no other details. I doubt anyone runs outdoor courses over the winter though.

Mike Wye & Associates sell a handy DVD that covers pointing with lime (albeit on stone not brick walls). I also bought Jane Schofield's book "Lime in Building" from SPAB and found that useful.

I've been doing days and days of pointing on my crumbly old Norfolk bricks. The most useful thing I learned on the course was how to get the mortar to stick to the back of the tool (square end of a leaf and square tool) when moving from the hawk to the wall - it's saved me hours and stopped me of wasting mortar.

I've added a link to a site with details of lime courses.



Lime Course Info

 

[Anonymous]

The SPAB weekend courses for homeowners 'An Introduction to the Repair of Old Houses' always have a chunk of time devoted to hands-on lime work - including pointing.

The next one, howver, is not until Feb 2006 - the rest of next year's programme will follow soon I'm sure. These are held in different (historic) venues around the country and are highly recommended. Details from SPAB website.


http://www.spab.org.uk

 

[Anonymous]

Mike I've bookmarked the site
Thanks