Why Use Lime

Before the start of the 20th century the plastering techniques that were used differed greatly to those that are used today. The use of lime putty and lime plasters benefit a property in many ways

• Lime based coverings are porous and allow the property to breathe
• They allow for movement in the property
• The possibility of cracks and splits is greatly reduced 
• Adding a lime wash finish helps to disperse moisture from within the render

While lime mortars are porous, concrete and sand and cement are non-porous. Older buildings, in particular those made of brick and stone, need to breathe so that moisture can pass in and out of walls, maintaining their stability. The application of impermeable plasters and renders often means moisture can become trapped, often causing cracking and problems with damp and moulds. Because lime is porous, it balances the moisture content in the internal atmosphere within the building thus avoiding problems with condensation but also with the excessive dryness often associated with modern dry-lined buildings. Its breathability also means it is suitable for green/eco buildings and it has many environmental and health benefits.

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Plastering Repairs Using Lime

When restoring any old house, whether it be a Victorian townhouse or a 17th century country cottage, you might come across limework when stripping off layers of modern paint and old wallpaper. Old crumbly lime may come off by accident or design, revealing stonework, brickwork or wooden laths. Whilst the experience may seem overwhelming, these areas can be repaired with lime if the right methods and materials are used. The golden rule here is patience; ripping off large areas of lime or pulling down lath ceilings is rarely necessary and may be extremely expensive and time consuming to put right!
A 17th century Georgian property in Margate, Kent is being elegantly restored; these photos show how a damaged lime ceiling was repaired using lime.

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Great Project, Great Location

Here I built and rendered a block wall to help extend the patio area around the swimming pool. This also created storage area and inserted a steel door for access.

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