Question about using lime mortar on a job in Savannah

Last week I was repointing a 1920s brick wall down in the historic district. The old mortar was crumbling, so we mixed a 1:3 lime to sand ratio like the spec said. Three years ago I would have just grabbed a bag of modern cement mix, but the preservation rules here are strict. It sets slower, but the color match was perfect after it cured. Anyone else had to switch to traditional mixes for historic work?

3 comments

3 Comments

rosel502mo ago

Remember working on a stone foundation up in New England where they demanded a pure lime putty mix, no cement at all. The mason nearly lost his mind waiting for it to set in the damp cold, swore he'd never take another job like it. But you're right, the color and the way it lets the brick breathe just works, even if it tries your patience. Those old rules exist for a reason, even when they slow you down.

the_kevin2mo ago

Ever try to rush a watched pot?

piperr582mo ago

Oh man, trying to hurry lime mortar is like watching paint dry but with more anxiety. I spent a whole afternoon once just staring at a patch, convinced I mixed it wrong. The client's cat walked across it and left perfect little prints, had to redo the whole section. You can't fight the slow set, you just have to plan for a lot of coffee breaks. That perfect color match at the end is the only thing that saves your sanity.