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Bricklaying
What should stone houses be pointed in?
We have a Victorian stone house that has damp, we are currently thinking of having it lime pointed outside, lime plastering inside, leaving small channels around the floors downstairs under floorboards to try and help the house breath. We are getting really confused as so many different opinions to what should be done, some builders telling us the old way doesn’t work and others saying we need to go for lime. We are frightened of making an expensive mistake either way. Which way should we go! Any help, advice appreciated.
3 Answers from MyBuilder Bricklayers
Best Answer
what you have to ask yourself is if the old ways dont work why are the older houses more sturdy than there newer equivalent ? cheap boxes that have a shelve life of about 25yrs long enough to pay back the bank.
you are correct in your thinking older houses need to breathe the biggest problem will be finding tradesman who understand how the materials used in the construction of the house all worked together to prevent dampness and how modern materials do the complete opposite creating dampness.
try reading the rising damp myth and do you homework on hydraulic lime plasters, mortars, good luck Alex
Answered 14th Aug 2021
For older building, definitely a lime mortar. This allows breathability of the wall and moisture transfer. Do not use largely cement based mortars.
Answered 15th Aug 2021
Air bricks are the way forward. The issue is not what material the house is made off the but heat transfer. The house will sweat on the cavity wall if it has one. A house acts as a sort thermos. And the disstance between the to skins of brickwork have been getting bigger for years. Iv been building houses for 15 ish years and has gone 75mm, 100mm 120mm 135mm. Last building was insulated but 155mm cavity size. All down to air movment between the inside walls.
Answered 8th Sep 2021
