Repointing old house

Discussion in 'Builders' Talk' started by Mancone, Oct 8, 2020.

  1. Mancone

    Mancone Member

    My house was built in 1904 and I need the table wall repointed.

    Guy is going to use 3 parts sharp sand and one part NHL.

    Soooo are you going to tell me ive messed up already? Anything to watch out for?
     
  2. Joe the Plumber

    Joe the Plumber Screwfix Select

    As long as he's not using any cement, that sounds okay I think (I am a plumber, not a builder though!)

    Or you could just buy ready to use (just add water) lime mortar from here:

    https://www.lime-mortars.co.uk/
     
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  3. Bob Rathbone

    Bob Rathbone Screwfix Select

    If you use OPC with old bricks, the bricks will spall and shatter in time. Lime mortar is a sacrificial device, it absorbs the moisture from the brick and spalls during freezing, leaving the brick largely intact.
     
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  4. Mancone

    Mancone Member

    What’s OPC
     
  5. Nanook

    Nanook Active Member

    Ordinary Portland Cement
     
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  6. Severntrent

    Severntrent Screwfix Select

    Ordinary Portland Cement,
     
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  7. Severntrent

    Severntrent Screwfix Select

    Snap
     
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  8. Mancone

    Mancone Member

    Oh yes the stuff I have at home.

    yes I will ask to see what they are mixing before. I’m sure they won’t quote and use cement, hopefully.
     
  9. Nanook

    Nanook Active Member

    If they won’t quote and are likely to use cement, sack them off and find someone else who will quote and knows about lime mortar.
     
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  10. Mancone

    Mancone Member

    They’ve quoted and coming Monday. I meant in the quote they don’t say normal cement. I’ve just had a lot of bad luck recently.
     
  11. Nanook

    Nanook Active Member

    Yeah I saw your kitchen nightmare. Join the club, I guess that’s why you’re here like me and trying to get the right advice and knowledge to avoid anymore DIY SOS!
     
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  12. Mancone

    Mancone Member

    Agh.

    So they are on site. There is an open bag of lime that doesn’t look like a lot has been used. Three empty bags of sharp sand.... is there a problem? I’ve checked the bin as well.
     
  13. Nanook

    Nanook Active Member

    Not necessarily, but it would be best to ask them straight out what mix they are using and show interest in it and their workmanship.
     
  14. Mancone

    Mancone Member

    I have asked several times. 3:1. They said they are using shovel sizes, no like one bag lime to three bags sand. Also not by weight as well. Doesn’t sound right...
     
  15. Mancone

    Mancone Member

    They’ve finished and did an ok job.
    However...... the bricks look dirty. Should they have washed them?
     
  16. Abrickie

    Abrickie Screwfix Select

    After raking out, prior to re pointing
     
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  17. Mancone

    Mancone Member

  18. Mancone

    Mancone Member

    I can’t remember them doing it.... there was no water
     
  19. stuart44

    stuart44 Screwfix Select

    Jord86 likes this.
  20. jonathanc

    jonathanc Guest

    nah it’s right. Mixing by counting shovels is fine
     
    Mancone likes this.

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