Lime Mortar Uses Explained — How to apply the correct mix for your historic homeIn this episode of Talking Conservation, Stephen and Rich explain how different types of lime mortar are applied to traditional buildings; from soft brick pointing to bedding stone walls. We cover the pros and cons of air lime, NHL 2, NHL 3.5, and hot lime mixes and how they compare to cement-based mortars often found in repairs.When considering pointing; we talk about the adage that "the pointing should always be softer than the surrounding masonry" and explain this. We discuss when to consider repointing and briefly look at what repointing involves. In our discussion we briefly touch on tuck pointing.During the discussion we consider how brick making has changed over the centuries and how mortar/pointing has also changed.Whether you’re a homeowner working on an older property or a trade professional unsure which lime mix is right for the job, this episode gives you practical guidance rooted in conservation experience.The next episode looks at the use of lime for internal plasters and external renders.👉 New to the series? Watch these first:• Ep.1: The Lime Cycle Explained — where lime comes from, how it's processed, and how it transforms chemically from limestone to lime and back again.• Ep.2: Lime Mortar Types Explained — the different types of lime (air lime, NHL, hot lime, pozzolanic mixes), their characteristics, and how they behave in buildings.👉 Subscribe to our channel for future episodes on building conservation, heritage homes, and expert advice.👉 Book a consultation with us for 1-1 advice on managing your historic home on www.expertible.com👉 Professionals involved in working on or with historic, traditional, or listed buildings may want 1-2-1 mentoring and/or training with Stephen. Visit his website at www.beconservation.com

In this episode of Talking Conservation, we explain the different types of lime used in building and restoration work. If you have ever wondered what the difference is between air lime, natural hydraulic lime (NHL), pozzolans, or hybrid lime mixes, this video will give you a clear introduction.

Understanding the types of lime is essential before starting any work on older or historic buildings. Whether you are a homeowner, builder, surveyor or anyone dealing with traditional construction, choosing the right lime can make a big difference to the long-term condition of the building.

We cover:

What air lime is and how it works

How pozzolans change lime chemistry and performance

What makes a lime hydraulic and how NHLs are classified

The role of hybrid mixes, including hot lime and insulating lime plasters

The importance of matching materials to traditional buildings

This is the second video in our lime series. In the next episode, we will discuss how to select and apply the correct lime type for specific jobs including pointing, rendering, plastering and flooring.

👉 Subscribe to our channel for future episodes on building conservation, heritage homes, and expert advice.

👉 Book a consultation with us for 1-1 advice on managing your historic home on www.expertible.com

👉 Professionals involved in working on or with historic, traditional, or listed buildings may want 1-2-1 mentoring and/or training with Stephen. Visit his website at www.beconservation.com

Rich finds a lime kiln. Stephen nerds out on chemistry. Somehow, it all makes sense.

In this episode of Talking Conservation, we walk through the full lime cycle — from burnt limestone to breathable lime mortar — and explain why it still matters today.

Packed with practical knowledge, dry humour, and the occasional chemistry flashback, this is your crash course in the building material that’s been quietly doing the heavy lifting for centuries.

Rich comes across an old disused lime kiln and this leads us to discuss the Lime Cycle. Stephen talks about how a source of Calcium Carbonate (e.g. Limestone) is taken through various processes that each change the nature of the material, but that at the end it reverts to a form of Calcium Carbonate again - hence the term Lime Cycle. Rich reflects on this at the end and mentions that we will look at various forms of lime (as used in building works) in a future video.

#limestone #thelimecycle #buildinglimes #buildingconservation #talkingconservation #buildingmaterials