Lime for Re- Pointing Sandstone

[BMcD]

Hi,
I'm just wondering what would be the best lime for re-pointing areas of a sandstone Georgian building with a soft red brick Victorian exstension?
I was intending to use St. Austier NHL 2 mixed 1:3 lime:sharp sand and wondered if this is OK or should I use a non-hydrulic lime or a more hydrulic lime? The property is relatively sheltered and in the Midlands.
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated

Brian

 

[biffvernon]

No. A naturally hydraulic lime like St. Astier NHL 2 is too strong for your job. Use English, home grown hydrated lime, either the wet putty from specialist merchants or dry hydrated lime from any builders merchant.

 

[BMcD]

I have fine setting stuff mixed at 2:1 lime putty:silver sand so if I add a futher 5 parts sharp sand would that do?

 

[biffvernon]

That was probably mixed for high quality plaster work so you'll be diluting expensive stuff to make cheap stuff - but if that's what you've already got and it's spare then use it because it's the cheapest for you.

 

[BMcD]

Thanks Biff it is spare and there isn't miles of re-pointing so I'll use that instead of buying other stuff, like you say it'll workout cheaper in the long run