If you work on older brickwork, you’ll know how much the choice of mortar matters.
This wall is a perfect example of what happens when soft, historic bricks meet different approaches to pointing.
Lime behaves one way, sand and cement behave another — and the long-term results can be dramatically different.
This isn’t about tradition for tradition’s sake. It’s about understanding how old bricks absorb moisture, how they move with the seasons, and how rigid mortars can quietly set a wall up for failure.
The evidence is right here in the brick faces, the spalling, the cracks, and the way the wall has responded over time.
The big takeaway? Lime mortar remains the most forgiving and compatible option for walls built with soft, slightly impure or reused bricks.
It’s easier to maintain, it allows the wall to breathe and move naturally, and it gives you a fighting chance of removing or replacing bricks without making the damage worse.
There’s a lot of misunderstanding out there about lime mortars, spalling and cracking.
We’ll be following this up with a deeper dive into lime, including expert opinions and some proper long-form exploration.
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#BuildingRestoration
#HistoricBuildings
#Repointing
#TraditionalBuilding
#Brickwork
#HeritageSkills
#OldHouses
#BreathableWalls
