Lime Torching

Crafting Timeless Roofs

Lime Torching in Yorkshire

When it comes to ‘lime torching Yorkshire’ and preserving the rich heritage of Yorkshire’s historic buildings, look no further than the experts at Yorkshire Lime Company. With years of experience and a track record of countless successful projects, we are your trusted heritage contractor in the heart of Yorkshire, as well as lime torching we also specialise in hot lime mortar pointing and other traditional masonry structure repairs. When it comes to preserving historic buildings it’s at the heart of everything we do here at The Yorkshire Lime Company.

While lime torching may not be a familiar term, it is a vital part of the heritage preservation process. By regulating the moisture levels within roof space, lime torching helps prevent mould growth and mildew. In addition, it helps to protect the roof timbers from rot and infestations, ensuring that these historic buildings can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Over time, lime torching can crumble and break, which can be alarming if it falls in the middle of the night. Although it may not cause leaks, missing torching can contribute to other problems with the roof. Damp, rot, and infestations are just some of the issues water vapour can cause. As such, it’s vital to ensure that listed buildings are correctly cared for to preserve their heritage.

At Yorkshire Lime Company, as heritage building specialists, we specialise in the art of lime torching and roof parging, ensuring a very neat job and breathing new life into Yorkshire’s architectural gems. Our commitment to preserving the region’s historic structures drives us to use time-honoured materials and techniques that pay homage to the past.

Contact us today and let’s write history together.

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What is Torching? The Importance of Lime Torching on Listed Buildings

In the era preceding the widespread use of roofing felt, a method known as “torching” or the application of lime mortar served the purpose of securing tiles or slates in place and preventing the disruptive effects of strong winds that could lift them. Specifically, torching was employed beneath clay tile roofs to ensure their stability, a practice dating back to a time before the introduction of nibs used to secure tiles onto wooden battens.Listed buildings are protected by law, meaning that the appropriate authorities must approve any changes to the roof. In many cases, listed buildings are required to maintain their original features, including their roof. One of the most critical aspects of listed roof renewal is the choice of material. In many cases, lime torching is replaced with a breathable membrane. This is because most roofers do not have the skills to carry out the torching process correctly.It is important to note that breathable membranes do not regulate moisture levels effectively. They can cause water vapour to form on the tiles. Lime torching absorbs the water vapour around it. This water vapour is drawn back out as air passes over the mortar. As such, it is often seen as a more effective way of preserving a listed building’s roof. In addition to choosing a suitable material, it is essential to ensure the roof is adequately ventilated. This ensures that water vapour cannot build up over time.Lime torching is seen as a more effective way of preserving a listed structure. This is because it helps to regulate moisture levels and prevents water vapour from forming on tiles. When picking a lime mortar for torching repairs, choosing one made from traditional materials is crucial. These materials are designed specifically for use on listed buildings. By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your roof remains in good condition for many years.We have written an entire in-depth article on the topic of the importance of lime torching.

Why Roof in Heritage Buildings is so Important?

When it comes to historic preservation, one of the most important considerations is the roof. The roof protects the rest of the building from the elements, and as such, it is subject to a lot of wear and tear. One of the most common problems with roof felts is that they can trap water vapour behind them, causing the joists and timbers to sweat. Trapped moisture can lead to the appearance of mould, which can cause severe damage to the structure of the building. Lime torching is a process that helps to regulate humidity by absorbing excess moisture. This moisture is then released through the gaps between the tiles, preventing it from causing damage to the roof.

Damp can be disastrous for traditional houses. You can find more details on this topic in our article.

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When it comes to preserving traditional masonry structures, lime torching stands as a shining example of heritage conservation. At The Yorkshire Lime Company, we’ve long been experts in using lime-based techniques and materials to restore the beauty and integrity of historic buildings. Whether it’s stone masonry repairs or lime pointing on traditional chimney structures, our commitment to these traditional methods has always been unwavering.

For hot lime mortar and lime-based techniques, The Yorkshire Lime Company is the go-to name in the field. Our dedicated craftsmen understand how hot lime mortar helps retain the authenticity of historic lime pointing, even in Yorkshire’s very unpleasant weather conditions. We take pride in our professional building conservation services, which are founded on the principles of heritage skills training and the use of historic lime-based mortars.

Stone masonry repairs require a delicate touch and a profound understanding of the materials involved. This is where hot lime mortar shines. It allows for precise and durable masonry surface repairs while adhering to the principles of traditional skills training. When we tackle historic building projects, we ensure that the end result is not just a neat job, but a restoration that respects the original craftsmanship.

Unlike cement-based mortar, which can often harm the very fabric of traditional masonry structures, hot lime mortar offers a gentle, breathable alternative. We’ve witnessed the transformational power of lime torching in countless projects. Whether it’s repointing a historic building or conducting intricate lime pointing, our craftsmen always do a great job, of ensuring the longevity of these architectural treasures.

Our commitment to traditional techniques and materials extends beyond the surface. We believe in passing down the art of lime torching and lime pointing through heritage skills training. This ensures that the next generation of craftsmen can continue to contribute to the preservation of Yorkshire’s architectural heritage.

Types of Heritage Buildings that Need Roof Torching with Lime

Heritage buildings encompass a wide variety of architectural styles and purposes, each with its own unique historical and cultural significance. Frequently, over the centuries, the purpose of buildings has changed multiple times, starting from a merchant house, followed by a pub, and currently becoming a house.

Regardless of their purpose, the vast majority of them were built in a traditional way using traditional methods. Below, you can find some of the buildings that would require traditional roof torching:

  • Historic houses,
  • Palaces and castles,
  • Places of worship, primarily churches,
  • Schools and universities,
  • Railway stations,
  • Museums and art galleries,
  • And much more.

Their preservation is essential for maintaining a connection to the past and understanding the history and culture of a region or society. The Yorkshire Lime Company specialises in roof torching with lime for all kinds of heritage buildings. Looking for any of our other services? We offer listed building surveys – including condition survey reports and site management plans – lime mortar pointing, lintel installation, and more. 

Rotting roof rafter at Westgate Unitarian Chapel caused by water ingress around the chimney stack.
Before
Lime torching the roof timbers in a Grade two star chapel in Wakefield to prevent rot and bug infestations
After
Missing and decayed lime torching at Westgate Unitarian Chapel
Before
Lime washing the roof timbers in a Grade two star chapel in Wakefield to prevent rot and bug infestations
After

Westgate Chapel Roof Torching Project

Check Out Some of Our Completed Heritage Bricklaying Projects!

Lime torching yorkshire

Westgate Unitarian Chapel is A Grade II Star Listed Building Dating From The 1700s, Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

The Westgate Unitarian Chapel is a grade II star-listed building in Wakefield, England. Our work included Heritage skills training for ten Wakefield College students using traditional hot lime mortars. Additionally, we have done necessary restoration.

Heritage Preservation ar The Old Cottage in Chapelthorpe, Wakefield

The Old Cottage Grade II Listed Building Dated From The 1400s. Chapelthorpe, Wakefield

Wakefield has a rich history, and Chapelthorpe is one of its most historic neighbourhoods. Roof torching with lime was carried out in one of the cottages in the village. Check the results.

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Why Choose The Yorkshire Lime Company for Lime Torching in Yorkshire?

At The Yorkshire Lime Company, we provide professional building conservation services to help maintain historic buildings and structures. As professional heritage builders, our services include hot lime pointing, torching, and traditional masonry repairs. We also offer an assessment and consultation service for mortar analysis and specification. We work on many historic buildings, from churches and castles to stately homes and manor houses. We aim to help preserve these critical pieces of our history for future generations. If you have a historical building that needs conservation, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to discuss your specific needs and develop a customised plan to help preserve your unique piece of history.

Some of the main reasons why we believe that you should choose us for:

  • We offer a range of professional building services
  • We have years of heritage industry experience
  • We’re well known across Yorkshire
  • We’re passionate about what we do
  • We’re competitively priced with other masons across the UK

The above points are just a few reasons why we believe you should choose us for traditional building repair services in Yorkshire. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information about us or any of our building services.

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Please let us know the year the property was built.

Frequently Asked Question On Heritage Bricklaying

Lime torching is a process in which a mixture of quick lime, crushed chalk, and coal grit coats the back of roof tiles and the joining timbers. This mixture is combined with goat’s hair to reduce the likelihood of cracking as the mortar dries. Lime torching and limewashing prevent the build-up of moisture by absorbing humidity from the air and drawing moisture out of the timbers. The moisture is then released into the air as circulation occurs inside the roof. In addition to combating moisture, lime also prevents bug infestations and is naturally antibacterial. Consequently, lime torching effectively provides weatherproofing and regulates humidity within a traditional roof.

Lime torching mortar is often a high-calcium mixture made with chalk and quicklime with inclusions of coal grit. Animal hair is added to this mixture to reduce any cracking caused by shrinkage within the mortar. Wood ash or coal ash can be added if there is a need to prevent water ingress. Ash is added to give the mortar a hydraulic effect, making it more durable against weathering. You would only add ash to prevent water from ingressing through the tiles.

The cost to lime torch a roof would depend on the amount of torching required and the ease of access around the roof space. The floor would need temporary boarding, and access to the highest points must also be considered. Ladders and platforms may be required to access certain areas. We would do this work on a day rate price. Lime torching is a specialist job; not all roofers are trained or have the correct knowledge to carry out this work. If you require lime torching, please call us to discuss your requirements.

If you can see daylight through your roof tiles, there is a good chance driving rain will be making its way through somewhere. Lime torching fills these small holes and prevents moisture from rotting the timbers. It does this by drawing the moisture out towards circulating air. Roof felts do not regulate moisture levels; even breathable felt does nothing to prevent moisture from building up in your roof space – they just hide any issues behind them. Lime torching and limewashes keep your roof space dry by regulating moisture levels, and they keep your timbers infestation free because they are naturally antibacterial. Therefore, lime torching and limewashes are essential in keeping your roof in good condition.