That old timer who swore by lime mortar instead of Portland cement

Ngl, my foreman laughed when the 70 year old retired mason told me to use lime mortar on a repoint job last month. But after two weeks that old school mix blended perfect with the historic brick, while my foreman's Portland mix started cracking along the edge - anyone else had a senior mason give them advice that actually saved a job?

2 comments

2 Comments

craig.brian18d ago

You mentioned the foreman's Portland mix started cracking within two weeks, and that's exactly the kind of failure lime mortar is meant to prevent. What did the old timer tell you about letting the lime cure or how wet the brick needed to be before applying it? I've always heard that the slower drying time is what makes it work with old materials, but I'm curious if he gave you any specific tricks for getting the mix right.

lily57418d ago

Feel that man. Old timers have forgotten more about masonry than most of us will ever learn. Props to you for listening and saving that job.