Hi folks,
I'm a total novice who has just bought a red brick Victorian mid-terraced house in Penarth, Wales. The front chimney needs urgent repair before the winter, most likely taking down part way and rebuilding. Only one builder giving a quote so far has mentioned using lime, so I assume others plan on concrete, which my father in law says is best. But is it? A quick Google search suggests lime of some kind is preferable, but I'm not sure why or what particular kinds (e.g. perhaps different for mortar and flaunching). I'm also conscious of the weather - if it gets too cold we'll be risking having to wait through winter and we're worried it might partially fall down (through the roof or worse) as this was a real risk raised in the survey. All help and advice really appreciated!
I'm a total novice who has just bought a red brick Victorian mid-terraced house in Penarth, Wales. The front chimney needs urgent repair before the winter, most likely taking down part way and rebuilding. Only one builder giving a quote so far has mentioned using lime, so I assume others plan on concrete, which my father in law says is best. But is it? A quick Google search suggests lime of some kind is preferable, but I'm not sure why or what particular kinds (e.g. perhaps different for mortar and flaunching). I'm also conscious of the weather - if it gets too cold we'll be risking having to wait through winter and we're worried it might partially fall down (through the roof or worse) as this was a real risk raised in the survey. All help and advice really appreciated!