Lime in Building by Jane Schofield

[Lacan07]

After hearing about this book on this very forum I ordered a copy this week.



I've been using lime plaster and lime mortar the last few years on my house and wanted to learn more as I'm considering making up my own mixes, prompted again by various folk within this good Parish. The book itself is relatively slim but having dived in on various chapters its simply explained yet very comprehensive.

However, it seems to be one for the purists. Now I knew 'hot lime' was the gold standard but REALLY, does anyone actually DIY slake their own lime? I guess the closest you can get to this is to buy lime putty in a tub or buy the plaster ready mixed / knocked up in a bag. I was just planning to make my own putty with a bag of hydrated lime from the builders merchant - not as good apparently, and testing it hasn't carbonated is essential!

 

[a twig]

For similar reasons of practicality I went NHL wherever possible, yes it’s not the “gold standard” but availability, ease of use and speed won out for me.

If I had to use fat lime I bought ready made from Ty Mawr

 

[Feltwell]

I've got a plastic dustbin in the cellar full of putty made up from hydrate about 10 years ago, works fine. Have never slaked lime. Hydrated lime is generally OK at most builderr's merchants, they do have a reasonable turnover of it usually as modern builders do still use it, even if in conjunction with cement.

I generally use ready mixed lime products from Lime Green at Much Wenlock - they are so easy to use, and only about 15 minutes away from me.

 

[Lacan07]

I've got a plastic dustbin in the cellar full of putty made up from hydrate about 10 years ago, works fine. Have never slaked lime. Hydrated lime is generally OK at most builderr's merchants, they do have a reasonable turnover of it usually as modern builders do still use it, even if in conjunction with cement.

I generally use ready mixed lime products from Lime Green at Much Wenlock - they are so easy to use, and only about 15 minutes away from me.

Oh that's well handy being 15 minutes, the Lime Centre in Winchester is about 45 minutes drive from me. I've used various Lime Green products too, notably the finishing plaster, Solo, which is very convenient as you can apply a 2nd coat immediately after the first, but it goes off very quick in the bucket.

I just did a quick check and it seems I may have been wrong, even the ready mix stuff is NHL. I guess the only way to Hydrated lime is either to buy a tub of putty or make it yourself.

 

[a twig]

https://www.lime.org.uk/products/lime/mortars/pre-mixed-fat-lime-mortar.html would disagree

 

[a twig]

Other mixes / suppliers are available

 

[Lacan07]

https://www.lime.org.uk/products/lime/mortars/pre-mixed-fat-lime-mortar.html would disagree

decent price too actually

 

[Lacan07]

I've got a plastic dustbin in the cellar full of putty made up from hydrate about 10 years ago, works fine. Have never slaked lime. Hydrated lime is generally OK at most builderr's merchants, they do have a reasonable turnover of it usually as modern builders do still use it, even if in conjunction with cement.

I generally use ready mixed lime products from Lime Green at Much Wenlock - they are so easy to use, and only about 15 minutes away from me.

I think I watched that youtube video you, or someone else, posted where the chap would put aside a scoop / brick of the putty he just made to check it hadn't carbonated in the bag

 

[RBailey]

I think I watched that youtube video you, or someone else, posted where the chap would put aside a scoop / brick of the putty he just made to check it hadn't carbonated in the bag

That might be me

I use a fair amount of of re-hydrated, hydrated lime (I wouldn't call it slaking).

I don't have easy access to lime just down the road so I find it a good compromise. However, I did resort to NHL on a recent floor job as I needed a faster set than normal putty carbonation.

Cheers,
Richard B.