If you own or care for an older building, especially one built before the 20th century, you’ll know that maintaining it properly means working with – not against – its original materials. One of the most common problems we see at The Yorkshire Lime Company is the widespread use of cement mortar pointing on buildings that were never designed to cope with it. On the surface, it might seem like a solid, low-maintenance fix. In reality, it’s doing hidden damage that could cost you far more in the long run.
What’s the Problem with Cement Mortar?
Cement is dense, rigid, and impermeable. That might be fine for modern cavity wall construction, but it’s completely unsuitable for solid-walled traditional buildings.
Older properties were built with lime-based mortars. These are flexible and breathable, allowing moisture to escape through the mortar rather than being absorbed by the bricks or stones. When you replace that with cement, you lock in moisture, restrict natural movement, and put strain on the softer masonry around it.
Here’s what that means in practice:
- Internal damp that doesn’t respond to dehumidifiers or ventilation
- Spalling bricks and stone faces breaking off
- Frost damage in winter
- Unsightly cracks along pointing lines
- Accelerated decay of original fabric
Cement mortar might seem like a strong, modern solution – but in traditional buildings, it causes far more harm than good.
What Makes Lime Mortar Different?
Lime mortar was the standard in British construction for hundreds of years before cement came onto the scene. It’s softer, slower to set, and allows moisture to pass through it. In a traditional solid wall, this quality is essential. Walls that can “breathe” stay dry, stable, and healthy. If the mortar begins to break down, it’s easy to repair without damaging the surrounding masonry.
Lime mortars:
- Allow trapped moisture to escape
- Move slightly with the building, preventing cracks
- Break down predictably and safely (so they fail before the stone or brick does)
- Are easy to match for repair and conservation work
When repointing is needed, replacing lime with cement alters the whole moisture balance of the building.
What Are the Signs of Cement Damage?
Cement pointing often looks sharp and clean to the untrained eye – but underneath, it may be causing serious problems. Some of the telltale signs include:
- Cracks or step fractures in or around the mortar joints
- Flaking or “blown” bricks, especially in older handmade units
- Salt marks or white staining on the walls (known as efflorescence)
- Persistent internal damp patches, even with good ventilation
- Pointing that protrudes beyond the face of the wall
In many cases, buildings repointed in cement can begin to fail within 10 to 20 years. The cement stays intact – but the masonry suffers.
How Does This Happen?
When it rains, moisture soaks into external walls. In buildings with lime mortar, that moisture evaporates naturally, usually through the joints. But with cement, evaporation is blocked.
Moisture gets trapped behind the pointing. In colder weather, it freezes and expands. Over time, this causes bricks to crack, split, or shed their faces entirely. The original materials – which were supposed to last centuries – are sacrificed to protect the cement.
It’s backwards. The mortar should be the weakest part of the wall, not the strongest.
Why Do Builders Still Use Cement?
Cement is cheap, sets quickly, and can be applied in wet or cold conditions. That makes it attractive for contractors on tight deadlines or budgets. It also doesn’t require the same knowledge or experience as working with lime.
Unfortunately, many well-meaning tradespeople apply cement without fully understanding the damage it can cause to heritage properties. They may even offer guarantees – on the cement, not on the health of your building.
Always check what mortar is being used before approving any repointing work.
What’s the Right Way to Fix It?
If your building has already been repointed with cement, all is not lost. At The Yorkshire Lime Company, we specialise in safe, methodical removal of cement mortars followed by repointing with the correct lime mix.
Here’s what the process involves:
Assessment
We examine the current condition of your building and identify areas where cement pointing is causing harm.
Mortar Analysis (if required)
For listed or sensitive properties, we can send samples away to determine the original mortar composition.
Careful Removal
Using hand tools and low-impact methods, we remove the cement without damaging the underlying bricks or stone.
Joint Preparation
We clean the mortar beds and dampen them to ensure good adhesion of the new lime mortar.
Lime Repointing
We apply a suitable lime mortar – usually hot-mixed or lime putty-based – that matches the character of the original.
Aftercare
We protect the work as it cures and provide advice on ongoing maintenance.
How Long Does It Last?
When applied correctly, lime mortar pointing can last upwards of 50 years or more. Unlike cement, which can trap water and crack under stress, lime mortar gently deteriorates over time in a way that’s predictable and repairable. And because it works with your building’s materials – not against them – it helps preserve both appearance and structure.
Will I Need Planning Permission?
If your building is listed or in a conservation area, any repointing work must use materials that match the original construction. That means cement should never be used. In most cases, replacing cement pointing with lime won’t require planning permission – but it’s always best to check with your local authority before work begins.
We regularly work on listed properties and can liaise with conservation officers to ensure everything is approved and compliant.
Protect Your Home & Use the Right Mortar
If you’ve noticed cracking, flaking, or rising damp – even after having work done – the pointing could be the problem. Cement may have been used with the best of intentions, but that doesn’t make it right.
Don’t wait for long-term damage to appear. Replacing harmful cement mortar with a breathable lime mix is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your home, both structurally and financially.
Speak to the Lime Pointing Specialists
At The Yorkshire Lime Company, we don’t just work with lime – we understand it. Our team specialises in conservation-grade repointing that respects the building’s age, materials, and performance.
Whether you’re maintaining a Victorian terrace, a Georgian townhouse, or a rural stone cottage, we’ll ensure your pointing works for your building – not against it.
Ready to find out what your walls are really telling you?
Contact us today to arrange a site visit or get expert advice on lime repointing. We’ll help you put things right – properly and for good.
