It’s been one year of Talking Conservation — and in this special anniversary episode, Rich and Stephen step back to reflect on the journey so far. From favourite episodes to lessons learned behind the mic, they also reveal what’s coming next.

In this episode:
• Key takeaways from 12 months of podcasting
• Exciting plans for 2025 — including hands-on training and a conservation day
• Updates on Stephen’s new CPD training platform for professionals
• How Rich’s platform, Expertible, is helping homeowners access independent conservation advice
• How you can shape future episodes with your feedback

🎯 Got a question or an idea for future episodes? Reach out via our websites below.

Book a 1-to-1 consultation: https://www.expertible.com
Explore Stephen’s CPD training: https://www.beconservation.com
Register interest for our Conservation Day:
https://bit.ly/conservation-day-survey

🔔 Follow to get notified about new episodes as we launch a brand new series soon – including one focused on timber and internal finishes.

In this final episode of our Lime Series, we’re joined once again by master plasterer Sean Wheatley to explore the finer details of working with lime plaster on ceilings, restoring decorative cornices, and repairing historic mouldings in older UK homes.We cover:How to approach lime plaster ceiling repairs safely and effectivelyWhy cornices and ceiling roses matter for character and breathabilityCommon causes of ceiling failure in older buildingsRepairing and replacing traditional decorative plasterworkReal-world tips from decades of experience working on Victorian and Edwardian homesHow to blend new and original plaster seamlesslyWhether you're dealing with sagging ceilings, cracked cornices, or missing mouldings, this episode will help you understand what to do — and what to avoid — when working with lime plaster in period properties.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for expert advice on maintaining and restoring older homes📣 This wraps up our series on lime — next, we’re diving into a whole new theme. Hit the bell to be notified when the next series goes live!🔗 Links👉 Expertible – 1:1 video consultations with independent heritage professionals👉 Stephen Boniface Associates – Chartered building surveyor and conservation specialist📌 Who is this for?Homeowners of older UK properties, tradespeople working with traditional buildings, and anyone interested in practical conservation.🎬 Don’t miss our full lime mortar series – Watch the full playlist hereContents00:00 Introduction00:40 A brief history of decorative plasterwork03:08 A brief history of fibrous plasterwork05:52 Forms of plaster and mixes 07:49 Changes in decorative plaster through the 17th and 18th centuries11:14 Whether to repair or replace14:00 Cleaning plaster details and taking a squeeze17:16 Applying soft distemper17:48 Taking a squeeze19:58 Installing new/replacement cornices and details25:00 The most challenging, rewarding, impressive jobs30:19 Running moulds and what lies behind32:33 Decorative plaster34:10 Aggregates, hair and additives48:31 Closing49:14 Outro

In this episode of Talking Conservation, we’re joined by expert heritage plasterer Sean Wheatley, who brings decades of hands-on experience in the restoration of traditional ceilings and plasterwork in older homes. From sagging lath and plaster to hairline cracks and inappropriate repairs, Sean explains what to look out for, how to fix it — andwhen to call in a pro.

🧱 We discuss:

● What materials were historicallyused for ceilings (and why it matters)

● How to tell if a ceiling needsrepair or replacement

● Spotting signs of serious failurevs. cosmetic issues

● Why modern materials often makethings worse

● DIY options vs. when to leave itto specialists

● The pros and cons of differentlime plasters for interiors

● Myths around steamers, fillers,and patching old ceilings

● What goes wrong when corners arecut

● What not to do with cracked or sagging ceilings

🛠️ Whether you're dealing with acrumbling Victorian ceiling or just curious about traditional internalfinishes, this is packed with insight.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:
👉 Expertible– 1:1 video consultations with independent heritage professionals
👉 Stephen Boniface Associates – Chartered building surveyorand conservation specialist

📌 Who is this for?
Homeowners of older UK properties, tradespeople working with traditionalbuildings, and anyone interested in practical conservation.

🎬 Don’t miss our full lime mortar series – Watch the full playlist here

Contents

00:00 Introduction

00:54 Sean’s background

04:07 Worshipful Company of Plaisterers

05:45 Apprentices

07:13 Working at distance from home

08:30 Ceiling constructions and laths

11:53 Choosing riven or sawn laths

13:35 Application and fixing of laths

18:21 Gaps between laths

19:49 Reed as a backing

23:03 Board backings

24:41 Earth plasters

27:07 Identifying ceiling constructions

28:19 Dealing with cracks and discussionabout hair

33:17 Patching ceilings

34:13 Checking the soundness of a ceiling

37:10 Repairing lath and plaster

41:41 Causes of ceiling failures

46:28 Lime plaster mixes

50:19 Hot lime mortar mixes

51:26 Hydrated (bagged) lime

53:04 Using plasterboard

55:29 Overboarding a ceiling

58:27 Concluding comments

59:18 Outro

In this follow-up episode of Talking Conservation, we’re back with Steve Hogarth – SPAB Fellow, heritage mason, and rope access conservator with Highlife Rope Access – to dive deeper into how conservation really happens at height.From blocked gutters and cracked coping stones to wildlife nests and fragile leadwork, Steve shares what really goes on when you're dangling from ropes on cathedrals, castles, and churches – and why rope access can offer major advantages over traditional scaffolding.We explore:• What rope access actually is and when it’s used• Real-world examples of unexpected issues found at height• Why hands-on surveys can reveal more than drones or binoculars• The most common (and preventable) problems that damage old buildings• How rope access enables small, cost-effective repairs that prevent bigger failures• What makes rope access viable (or not) for domestic buildings• Why it’s an essential part of modern conservation practiceWhether you’re a homeowner, architect, or heritage professional, this episode offers unique insight into how careful, targeted intervention at height can extend the life of historic buildings.👉 https://www.highliferopeaccess.com/👉https://www.instagram.com/highlife_rope_access/👉https://www.facebook.com/HIGHLIFEROPEACCESS/👉 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#talkingconservation #traditionalbuildings #buildingconservation #historicbuildingrestoration #traditionalconstructionmaterials #limemortar #preservingarchitecturalheritage #listedbuildings #heritageprotection #historichomes #traditionalhomes #restorationtips #homerestoration #architecturalheritage #historicmaterials #highliferopeaccess

What’s the biggest threat to your historic building? Water.

In this special episode of Talking Conservation, we’re joined by Steve Hogarth — SPAB Fellow, heritage mason, and rope access conservator with Highlife Rope Access — to explore how the smallest details up high can make the biggest difference to your building’s long-term health.

We dig into:

- Why effective drip detailing is critical to keeping water off your building

- What causes damage when high-level details are missing or poorly repaired

- Sky-facing joints and how they differ from vertical surfaces

- How to assess and choose the right lime mortar mix for exposed locations

- The overlooked genius of traditional detailing (like string courses, throatings & hood moulds)

- When to use NHL, hot lime, or natural cements- Why small targeted maintenance can prevent costly full-scale repairs

- Real-world insight from Steve’s rope access conservation work on churches and historic buildings

This is an essential listen for homeowners, tradespeople, or professionals working with older or listed buildings.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:57 Drips and throatings

06:44 Impact of the Grand Tour

07:35 Umbrellas for buildings!

09:13 Clogged details and past rebuilding

10:28 Water pathways and identifying problems

12:59 Stephen's anecdote about finding a leak

15:01 Stopping water getting in

16:54 Junctions between materials

17:38 Choice of material for repair

19:56 Mortar mixes for exposed areas

24:38 Dealing with coastal locations

27:21 Ongoing maintenance

29:04 Limewashing or covering and changing exposed elevations

31:08 Shedding and sky-facing surfaces

35:02 Concluding comments

35:54 Outro

👉 High Life Rope Access: https://www.highliferopeaccess.com/

👉 Need expert 1:1 advice for your traditional or historic home?Book a video consultation with an independent specialist at www.expertible.com

🎓 Professionals wanting mentoring or training with Stephen Boniface? Visit www.beconservation.com

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on lime, building conservation, materials, and expert insights from tradespeople working at the sharp end.

Before choosing your lime mortar or plaster, you need to understand your substrate.

In this bonus episode of Talking Conservation, Stephen and Rich explore the importance of knowing what's behind or beneath your mortar; from soft handmade bricks and old stone to chalk walls and cob.

Whether you're repointing, plastering, or rendering, understanding the substrate is critical to choosing the right mix and achieving long-lasting results.

We cover:

- What a “substrate” actually means in traditional buildings

- Common types found in historic homes (brick, stone, cob, timber)

- How substrate affects your lime choice and application

- Assessing problems and indicators of hidden issues

- Mistakes to avoid when applying lime to inappropriate surfaces

- Decision making, such as when to strip inappropriate materials

- Key questions to ask before starting any conservation work When to call in the professionals

- Keeping a record

▶️ Whether you're a homeowner or a professional working with heritage buildings, this video helps you avoid common issues and build with confidence.

👉 New to the Lime Series? Start here:

Ep.1: The Lime Cycle Explained – How lime is made and reabsorbs CO₂

Ep.2: Lime Mortar Types Explained – Key differences between air lime, NHL, pozzolans & more

Ep.3 Part.1: Which Lime to Use? – Mortars for pointing & bedding in older buildings

Ep.3 Part 2: Which Lime to Use? - Plasters and Renders

Ep.3 Part.3: High Exposure Areas & Floors – Using lime in chimneys, ridges, parapets, and floors

🔔 Subscribe for upcoming episodes on more specialist areas

📞 For 1-to-1 advice or a consultation, visit: www.expertible.com

💼 Professionals: Training & mentoring available at www.beconservation.com

#TalkingConservation #SubstratesExplained #LimeMortar #BuildingConservation #OldHouseDIY #HistoricHomes #TraditionalMaterials #LimePlaster #problemsolving #decisionmaking #professional help #heritageskills #limerender #lathandplaster #historictimberframes

Chapters00:00:00 – 00:00:50

Introduction00:00:50 - 00:02:23

What is a substrate?00:02:23 - 00:03:33

Flint00:03:33 - 00:05:22

Stone00:05:22 - 00:05:31

Cob and earth00:05:31 - 00:06:12

Wattle and Daub, lath and plaster00:06:12 - 00:06:56

Multiple substrates00:06:56 - 00:08:24

Behaviour of substrates (the science bit!)00:08:24 - 00:09:43

Timber00:09:43 - 00:10:57

Absorbency and moisture performance00:10:57 - 00:14:25

Cement render on timber frame (case study)00:14:25 - 00:16:34

Assessing problems and key indicators00:16:34 – 00:19:48

Delamination and hammer testing00:19:48 – 00:23:02

Decision making00:23:02 – 00:24:43

Should I remove cement render/pointing?00:24:43 – 00:26:36

Have I got layers of material?00:26:36 – 00:27:46

A judgement call and bringing in professionals00:27:46 – 00:28:52

Substrate preparation00:28:52 - 00:30:43

Wetting down surfaces 00:30:43 – 00:32:05

Plaster coats00:32:05 – 00:34:56

Use of hair in mixes00:34:56 – 00:39:25

Controlling the ‘set’00:39:25 – 00:40:14

Lath and plaster00:40:14 – 00:41:33

Dealing with modern interventions00:41:33 – 00:46:37

Removing modern material00:46:37 – 00:49:30

Surface finishes00:49:30 – 00:55:58

Changing aesthetics and appearance00:55:58 – 00:56:56

Key message – understand the building00:56:56 – 00:58:27

The importance of keeping a record00:58:27 – 00:59:11

Future episodes00:59:11 – 00:59:48

Expertible00:59:48 – 01:00:05

Close01:00:05 – 01:00:28

Outro

Not sure which lime to use for a chimney, solid floor, or coping stone? In this episode of Talking Conservation, we explain how to choose and apply the right lime mix for floor construction and high-exposure areas in older homes.

In this episode, Rich and Stephen continue their deep dive into lime mortars, exploring how to apply them in real-world contexts where performance under pressure really matters.

We cover the use of limecrete floors and lime ash floors, debunking common myths about moisture performance and clarifying where lime-based solid floors offer real benefits (and where they don’t).

We also examine high-exposure areas such as chimneys, ridge tiles, parapets, and copings — where material choice is critical. Should you use NHL 3.5? NHL 5? Is cement ever appropriate? We walk through the options and trade-offs.

Whether you're repairing flaunchings or considering a breathable solid floor alternative, this episode gives you practical advice grounded in conservation principles.

👉 Missed the earlier episodes? Start here:• Ep.1: The Lime Cycle Explained – Where lime comes from, how it’s made, and how it changes chemically from limestone to lime and back again.• Ep.2: Lime Mortar Types Explained – Air lime, NHL, hot lime, and pozzolans demystified — we explain their properties and behaviour.• Ep.3: Which Lime to Use? Part 1 – Mortars for Building & Pointing Older Buildings – Where and how to use the different lime types for masonry and repointing.

• Ep.4: Which Lime to Use? Part 2 – Plasters & Renders - Which types of plasters to use internally and pros and cons of the various options for external renders.

👉 Subscribe to our channel for future episodes on conservation, traditional buildings, and expert insight.👉 Need personalised advice? Book a consultation at www.expertible.com👉 Professionals can also book mentoring or training via Stephen’s site: www.beconservation.com

#BuildingConservation #TraditionalMaterials #LimeMortar #HistoricBuildings #Retrofitting #HeritageSkills #TalkingConservation #Architects #Surveyors #Builders #ConservationProfessionals

Lime Plaster & Render Uses Explained — How to choose the right mix for old buildingsIn this episode of Talking Conservation, Stephen and Rich continue their deep dive into lime applications; this time focusing on internal plasters and external renders for traditional and historic buildings.We discuss the different types of lime used in plaster and render work; including air lime, NHL 2, NHL 3.5, hot lime, and pozzolanic mixes and how to choose the right one based on the substrate, exposure, and performance needs.We cover:Why flexibility and vapour movement matter in internal plaster systemsWhen to avoid overly hard or dense mixes on older wallsHow to approach external render repairs or replacementsWhat to do when cement-based render is already presentModern vs. traditional techniques — and where specialist mixes like insulating plasters might helpThis practical discussion is rooted in conservation knowledge, with decades of experience in what works, and what doesn’t, when applying lime-based systems in heritage settings.Whether you're working on your own older property or advising clients as a professional, this episode will help you make informed choices on plaster and render mixes.👉 Missed Part 1? Watch it here: “Which Lime to Use? Part 1 – Mortars for Building & Pointing Older Buildings”👉 New to the series? Start here:• Ep.1: The Lime Cycle Explained — where lime comes from, how it's made, and how it behaves chemically in use• Ep.2: Lime Mortar Types Explained — covering air lime, hydraulic lime, hot lime and hybrid mixes👉 Subscribe for more on building conservation, restoration, and heritage homes👉 Homeowner? Book a 1-1 consultation at www.expertible.com👉 Professional? Learn more about mentoring or training with Stephen at www.beconservation.com