Lime mortar repointing

Lime mortar repointing for period properties

If you’ve got an older house and someone’s told you it needs repointing — this is the page for you. I’ll explain what lime mortar is, why it matters, and what to expect when I come and look at your property.

Lime mortar repointing on Victorian brickwork, Wimbledon

This is the question I get asked most often. The short answer is: cement mortar is too hard for old brickwork. It doesn’t move with the building, it doesn’t breathe, and over time it forces moisture into the bricks themselves rather than letting it escape through the joints. I’ve seen properties where cement repointing from 20 years ago has caused more damage than the original problem ever would have.

Lime mortar is what these buildings were built with, and it’s what they need to stay in good condition. It’s softer than the brick, flexible, and breathable. When it eventually deteriorates — which it will, but slowly — it’s the mortar that fails, not the brick. That’s exactly how it should work.

I’ve been doing this for over 35 years, mostly on Victorian and Edwardian houses across London. Every property gets assessed individually before I write a quote — I won’t just turn up and start mixing. If your house is in a conservation area or listed, I know what’s required and I work to the right specification.

  • Lime mortar lets moisture escape — cement traps it and damages the brick
  • Matched to your original brickwork in colour, texture and joint profile
  • Right for Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian and listed buildings
  • Free visit and written quote before any work starts — no obligation
  • Fully insured — I’ve been doing this since 1989

Related services: Chimney repairs Garden & parapet walls Pebbledash & render removal

“Chris at London Brickwork Repointing repointed the front of my house in N16. … He is highly experienced and skilled in what he does. He’s careful, helpful and trustworthy. He gets the job done at a fair price. Rare to get all 3 these days!”

— Norman Foster, Stoke Newington

How it’s done

Repointing with lime mortar, step by step

Good lime mortar repointing is slow, careful work. This is how I approach every job, whether it’s a single garden wall or the whole front of a house.

  1. Look before quoting. I check the existing mortar, the type and condition of the brick, how exposed the wall is, and the joint finish, so the new pointing matches what’s there.
  2. Rake out by hand. Old and failed mortar, and any cement from past repairs, comes out carefully to a sound depth without chipping the edges of the bricks.
  3. Mix to suit the building. The lime and sand are chosen for the age of the property and the exposure of the wall, and colour-matched to the original mortar.
  4. Point and finish. The joints are packed in layers and finished to the right profile: flush, weather struck or tuck pointed.
  5. Protect while it cures. Lime sets slowly, so fresh work is shielded from sun, rain and frost until it has properly hardened.
Lime or cement

Why lime mortar beats cement on old brick

Lime mortar Cement mortar
Breathes Yes, damp can dry out through the joints No, moisture gets trapped in the brick
Flexibility Moves with the building Rigid, so it cracks
Hardness Softer than the brick Harder than old brick
What wears first The mortar, which is easy to renew The brick face, which spalls and crumbles
Suits Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian and listed buildings Modern brick built with cement
Signs to look for

Does your brickwork need repointing?

  • Mortar that crumbles when you scratch it, or has worn back well behind the brick face
  • Damp patches on inside walls, especially after heavy rain
  • Hard grey cement pointing that is cracking or coming away
  • Brick faces flaking or crumbling next to cement joints
  • Plants, moss or gaps in the joints, particularly on chimneys and parapets

Wondering about price? See my repointing cost guide for London for typical prices and what affects them.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

It means carefully raking out the old mortar from between the bricks — usually to a depth of about 20mm — and filling it with new lime mortar. The key is getting the right mix for your specific brickwork. Too hard and you damage the bricks. Too soft and it won't last.
A standard Victorian terrace front elevation usually starts from £4,000 for labour. Materials, scaffolding and access are added in your written quote, all itemised. I'll always give you a clear written quote before anything starts — no surprises. See the full repointing cost guide for what affects the price.
It is cheaper upfront. But I've spent years fixing the damage that cement repointing causes to old houses. Cracked bricks, persistent damp, spalling — all of it avoidable. On a pre-1920s property, lime mortar isn't just better — it's the only thing that won't cause long-term problems.
Yes, regularly. I understand what conservation officers and Historic England require and I work to the right NHL lime specification throughout. If you're not sure whether you need consent, I can advise when I come and look.
Yes, on an older house. Lime protects soft period brick, and when it eventually wears it is the mortar that needs renewing, not the bricks. Cement can look fine at first but often leads to spalled, damaged brick that is far more expensive to put right.
Yes. Cement pointing can be raked out carefully by hand and replaced with lime. It takes more care than raking out soft lime, so I check how hard it is when I look at the job and allow for it in the quote.
Lime cures slowly and must be kept from frost, so most lime work is best done between spring and autumn. Work can carry on in cooler months with the right protection, which I will talk you through when I quote.
Coverage

Areas we cover

We carry out lime mortar repointing across London and the surrounding Home Counties. Select your area for local information.

Hackney Dalston Stoke Newington London Fields Islington Highbury Canonbury Bethnal Green Tower Hamlets Leyton Walthamstow Waltham Forest Tottenham Harringay Haringey Finsbury Park Holloway Camden Highgate Muswell Hill Newham Redbridge Enfield Barnet Westminster Southwark Lambeth Greenwich Lewisham Romford Essex Brentwood Hertfordshire Kensington Chelsea Brent Wandsworth Hammersmith Fulham Ealing Merton Wimbledon Richmond Kingston Croydon Surrey Kent

Ready to restore your property?

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