Hydraulic lime suppliers / Limelite

[sevenleaf]

Hi all,

I have some repointing jobs to do and couple of small projects that require a lime mortar.

NHL is something that I have always struggled to source locally (Bedford) - previously driving some 60 mile round trip to the nearest supplier that I could find. Ordering online for a single bag seems overkill.

I see that Travis Perkins stock 'Limelite' in NHL 3.5 and 5, howerver alarm bells are ringing as it is the same 'Blue Circle/Tarmac' brand that make the infamous cementitious plaster. Can anyone confirm/deny it's suitability on a period conservation property?

I'll gladly take any recommendations for suppliers of lime in the Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire/North London area!

 

[Chris-Burgess]

It’s a Hydraulic lime binder no cement in it at all,
I’ve used plenty. I found it very fine almost ‘flour’ like

 

[sevenleaf]

Fantastic, thanks Chris.

 

[TheForge]

Tarmacs NHL is pure hydraulic lime but very expensive compared to specialist lime suppliers such as Rose of Jericho or Mike Wye.

I suppose if you only want a couple of bags the shipping might justify the price at TP. Off the top of my head it’s about £12 more a bag.

 

[Flyfisher]

I've found my local Jewson has been able to order in bags of NHL on request, even though they don't stock it normally.
Perhaps having an account with them helps, but might be worth asking (and at other local builders merchants, eg Ridgeons etc)

 

[malcolm]

I'm near Bedford and have bought NHL3.5 from both Buildbase and Travis Perkins. I just go in and ask for NHL 3.5. If you drive there start a cash account before you buy as it is really quick and saves a good 25% on price.

 

[Jamieharnett]

I have lots of surplus bags of nhl5 if you require for a good price? In Milton keynes

 

[Easrow]

I get bags of nhl 3.5 from Bradford's or Travis Perkins. (In Somerset) It is quite expensive individually. I'm using the limelite brand at the moment. They said it's what ever comes in. I've had different makes in the past.

 

[TheForge]

I get bags of nhl 3.5 from Bradford's or Travis Perkins. (In Somerset) It is quite expensive individually. I'm using the limelite brand at the moment. They said it's what ever comes in. I've had different makes in the past.

I don’t know where about in Somerset you are Eascrow but both Limebase (near Langport) and Rose of Jericho (just south of Yeovil) stock St Astier NHLs at about half of the TP and Bradford’s price and actually understand the product and can five specialist advice.

Different brands use different limestones and the colour and quality can vary hugely which can cause issues when colour matching. Most conservation professionals seem to agree that St Astier is the most consistent brand. Another well known British brand now import their NHLs from Portugal and although cheaper the quality and consistency is less good. All modern NHLs set significantly harder than the majority of historic mortars and far harder than almost all non hydraulic mortars and continue to gain strength over a period of years.

 

[Easrow]

I get bags of nhl 3.5 from Bradford's or Travis Perkins. (In Somerset) It is quite expensive individually. I'm using the limelite brand at the moment. They said it's what ever comes in. I've had different makes in the past.

I don’t know where about in Somerset you are Eascrow but both Limebase (near Langport) and Rose of Jericho (just south of Yeovil) stock St Astier NHLs at about half of the TP and Bradford’s price and actually understand the product and can five specialist advice.

Different brands use different limestones and the colour and quality can vary hugely which can cause issues when colour matching. Most conservation professionals seem to agree that St Astier is the most consistent brand. Another well known British brand now import their NHLs from Portugal and although cheaper the quality and consistency is less good. All modern NHLs set significantly harder than the majority of historic mortars and far harder than almost all non hydraulic mortars and continue to gain strength over a period of years.

Hi. Thanks for that. Langport is not far away. I'll give them a try next time.