A question for the wonderful Piglet John or anyone in the know about using old lime plaster for re-pointing

[Jillcametumblingdown]

Hello

I've just read this article which advises the use of lime plaster when repairing pre-1919 houses.

We are currently renovating a 1910 house in continental Europe and the garden walls need to be re-pointed urgently. I take it that we should therefore use old-fashioned lime plaster to do the pointing, although the article seems to imply that that it only necessary for interior walls? Is that correct?

Anyway, we don't really have a clue what we are doing and would appreciate some advice. I don't even know if plaster is the thing you use for re-pointing or not? Or is that something different? What do you use to re-point walls anyway and should it be the old-fashioned variety for garden walls 1910?

Yours, very confused, but grateful for any advice!!

The title should read 'old-fashioned' - sorry!

Anyone?

If the house or wall was originally built with lime mortar, then yes, repoint with lime. The house may also have lime plaster inside. Patching with cement and gypsum interferes with moisture drying out. Modern brickwork uses cement mortar. Walk round your town or village and try to see how other old walls are done. There may be national or regional building techniques that you should follow.

Gypsum plaster is only used indoors as it breaks down if persistently wet.

I used to live in a 1905 house with lime mortar that had been pointed with cement from new. When I mentioned it to conservation enthusiasts they moaned that it was wrong, and couldn't possibly have been built that way. But I know it was, my family had lived there for three generations and I could see it even behind gateposts.

Thank you PigletJohn this is the second time you have helped me with a DIY question and I'm really, really grateful!

Next problem is to seek out a builder who works with lime mortar! (They have a different attitude to conservation over here than they do in the UK.)

Thanks again!

Jump over to Period Property Forum, I think there may be some who post living in Europe with old properties so may be able to advise re finding a lime plasterer.

S.

Thanks so much Schloss will do that!

Schloss where is the period property forum please?

You can find it here Elvish

Thank you so much Jill