What lime mix?

[Keithj]

My favourite adviser has gone! My "what do I do next?" enquiries are vanishing into cyberspace

It's coming round to the time when I'll need to go out with my little pot of lime mix and fill the shrinkage cracks where the green oak has opened up a gap to the lime render. I also want to add some sills/lips to channel the rainwater off the sole plates so that it doesn't puddle and get blown in by the wind.

The question is: what mix to use? I was left a pot of lime-and-something, which proved excellent for previous repairs, but that's all gone. I think it was a 50/50 mix of lime putty and chalk, but I'm not sure. The options seem to be neat lime putty, lime and chalk, or 3:1 sharp sand and lime putty.

What thinks the forum?

 

[agbagb]

I'm no expert but, it'll depend on the size of the gap I think.
eg. >10mm sharp sand, <10mm soft sand, <2mm dust

 

[Keith Bowman]

..... was left a pot of lime-and-something, which proved excellent for previous repairs, but that's all gone. I think it was a 50/50 mix of lime putty and chalk.....

If it came from Anglia Lime it might have originally been haired chalk, but you either have to use it before the lime eats all the hair, or add more hair. Not sure how helpful that information is !

 

[Sonyaclegg]

I rang Mike Wye and advised I needed some lime mortar for outside use. They supplied me with ready made in a large tub/ bucket which may be suitable for your application? Give them a ring. They are always very helpful on the phone

 

[Keithj]

I got the answer! Out of the blue came a little voice: chalk and lime, 3:1, and well haired before use. Readily available from Anglia lime.

 

[vicky whitworth]

Keithj, I'm worrying about you. You're starting to hear voices, talk to yourself. Have you been sniffing the lime?

 

[Keithj]

I do little else these days.

I've been hearing these voices ever since that day all those years ago when the man in the little green van joined those funny wires onto the house.

 

[tobydog]

Haired chalk and lime is very traditional in East Anglia. Isn't that what Zebra used?