All treatments are covered by our company-backed guarantees plus a free 6-month follow-up inspection — so your home stays protected for years.
At Nordic Damp Proofing, we provide specialist lime mortar repointing for older, period and traditionally constructed properties, carefully restoring deteriorated joints while helping the building manage moisture as originally intended.
Our approach considers the condition of the existing mortar, brick or stone, exposure of the property and the wider moisture condition of the building before recommending the appropriate repair.
Lime mortar repointing is the process of carefully removing failed, damaged or inappropriate mortar from between bricks or stones and replacing it with a suitable lime-based mortar.
The pointing isn’t simply decorative. It protects the edges of the masonry, helps prevent excessive rain penetration and plays an important role in how a traditional wall manages moisture.
Unlike many dense cement-based mortars, appropriately specified lime mortar is generally more permeable and flexible.
This allows moisture within traditional masonry to evaporate through the joints rather than becoming concentrated within the brick or stone itself.
For this reason, choosing the correct mortar is particularly important when repairing older solid-wall and heritage properties.
Before repointing begins, we assess the condition and characteristics of the existing mortar alongside the surrounding brick or stone.
This helps determine whether the existing pointing has naturally deteriorated or whether previous repairs may be contributing to problems with the wall.
Failed mortar needs to be removed without unnecessarily damaging the surrounding masonry.
We carefully prepare deteriorated joints to create a suitable depth and surface for the replacement lime mortar to bond correctly.
Particular care is required with older bricks and softer stone where aggressive removal techniques could permanently damage the edges of the masonry.
There is no single lime mortar specification suitable for every building.
The appropriate mortar depends on factors including the existing masonry, exposure, location, condition and original construction.
We select a compatible lime-based mortar appropriate for the area being repaired rather than applying the same generic mix to every property.
Once the joints have been properly prepared, new mortar is carefully worked into the masonry joints.
Correct application helps create good contact with the existing material while filling voids and restoring protection to the wall.
The appearance of pointing can have a significant impact on the character of an older building.
We consider the existing joint profile, masonry and architectural style when finishing the new pointing so that repairs remain sympathetic to the property rather than looking unnecessarily modern.
Lime behaves differently from modern cement and requires appropriate curing conditions.
The newly pointed areas are managed according to the conditions at the property before the finished masonry is inspected and any relevant aftercare guidance is provided.
We restore deteriorated brick and stone mortar joints using lime-based materials selected to complement the existing building.
This can involve replacing naturally weathered lime mortar or carefully addressing areas where unsuitable previous pointing has contributed to deterioration.
The aim is to create a repair that performs correctly while remaining sympathetic to the appearance and construction of the property.
Mortar is designed to work alongside the masonry surrounding it.
In many traditional buildings, relatively soft and permeable lime mortar allows moisture to evaporate through the joints. The mortar can effectively act as a sacrificial element, weathering before the more valuable brick or stone.
Hard, impermeable cement pointing can change this behaviour.
SPAB explains that moisture unable to evaporate through impermeable mortar may instead evaporate through the masonry itself, potentially contributing to salt or frost-related deterioration.
Correct repointing therefore isn’t simply about making the joints look better. It can form an important part of protecting the masonry and maintaining the way a traditional wall performs.
We begin by inspecting the wall, existing mortar and surrounding masonry to understand what has failed and why.
Defective mortar is carefully removed where appropriate without unnecessarily widening joints or damaging the brick or stone.
A suitable lime mortar is then selected based on the construction and exposure of the wall. The joints are repointed and finished in a style appropriate for the property before the new mortar is allowed to cure correctly.
Where damp or deterioration has another underlying cause — such as leaking gutters, defective drainage, damaged masonry or high ground levels — we will identify this rather than treating repointing as a solution to an unrelated moisture problem.
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All treatments are covered by our company-backed guarantees plus a free 6-month follow-up inspection — so your home stays protected for years.
Deteriorating mortar can present itself in several ways.
You may notice crumbling or powdery mortar, joints that have become deeply recessed, sections of mortar falling away, cracks between masonry units or areas where rainwater appears to penetrate the wall.
Brick or stone deterioration can also indicate that previous pointing is too hard for the surrounding masonry.
In some properties, you may see several generations of repairs where different mortar types have been applied across the same elevation.
The important step is determining why the pointing has failed before deciding how it should be repaired.
Modern cement mortar is not automatically unsuitable for every building, just as lime mortar is not automatically the correct answer for every wall.
The specification needs to suit the construction.
However, many traditional buildings were constructed using softer lime-based materials that allow greater moisture movement and accommodate small amounts of building movement.
Dense cement mortar can be significantly harder and less permeable than the surrounding historic masonry.
Historic England notes that heavily cement-based mortar can hold moisture within traditional masonry for longer, whereas weaker porous lime-based mortar can assist drying.
This is why we assess the building rather than simply replacing one mortar with another without understanding the existing construction.
Some period properties have previously been repointed using cement mortar.
This doesn’t mean every piece of cement should automatically be removed.
Removing hard mortar from soft historic masonry can itself cause significant damage if undertaken unnecessarily or incorrectly. SPAB recommends assessing whether previous cement repairs are actually causing ongoing deterioration before intervention.
Where removal is appropriate, it should therefore be approached carefully and with consideration for the surrounding masonry.
Our focus is always on preserving as much sound existing building fabric as possible while addressing materials that are contributing to deterioration.
Failed pointing can provide a route for wind-driven rain to penetrate external walls.
However, repointing should not be presented as a universal damp treatment.
If a property is experiencing internal damp, we can investigate other potential causes including:
This is particularly important with older buildings where several factors can contribute to moisture problems simultaneously.
Our approach is to identify the cause first and specify the repair second.
We can undertake appropriate lime mortar repairs as part of the restoration of listed and heritage properties.
However, listed buildings require additional consideration.
Historic England advises that careful like-for-like repointing may not require Listed Building Consent where it matches the original material, texture, colour, width and finish and does not affect the building’s special interest. More substantial changes, inappropriate materials or alterations to the historic appearance may require consent.
Where your property is listed, the requirements should therefore be established with the relevant local planning authority or conservation officer before applicable work begins.
Protect your home before the problem gets worse. Our friendly surveyors will diagnose the issue, explain the results, and recommend the most effective treatment.
At Nordic Damp Proofing, we’re pleased to offer damp, mould, and timber surveys to homeowners and landlords. In some cases, fees may apply for more detailed reports — but don’t worry, our team will always let you know beforehand.
Submitting this form doesn’t commit you to a survey. One of our friendly team members will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your enquiry and confirm whether a survey is needed. Once booked, we can usually arrange a visit within 24 hours of confirmation.
