Lime mortar in this bbbrrrrrr weather?

[Blinkingblimey]

We are repointing and the builders have very sensibly ceased work as it's too cold for the lime mortar to set in this ridiculously freezing weather. We are all hoping it warms up a bit next week (which it is forecast to do) but it still looks like it'll be 0/-1 overnight. Does anyone have any experience of this....I know ideally it should be 8 degrees but what are the vague parameters? Very grateful for any help/advice! Thank you!

Personally I would want 8 as a minimum. And dryish air.
It's depressing when you do all that work and it doesn't dry.
It'll warm up soon.

I agree. You don't want ice crystals forming. I used to hault work on huge road building sites at 4 degrees and that's cement based not lime based. Otherwise you basically have to take it all off in a year and do it again.

Thank you, the answer I was expecting....I'm really worrying as the builders are keen (/desperate!) to get going....fingers crossed it sufficiently warms up and they are reasonable in waiting.

My builders have ordered hessian to cover bricks if it freezes, but looks like they have been doing other jobs this week instead...