lime mortar

How I Destroyed My Victorian Walls With Cement Mortar—And Why It Happened to Thousands of Others

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How I Destroyed My Victorian Walls With Cement Mortar—And Why It Happened to Thousands of Others

Repointing Victorian brickwork with modern cement mortar seems logical—until your bricks start cracking and spalling. This conservation mistake, repeated across thousands of period homes, costs tens of thousands in remedial work. The solution lies in understanding why the original builders chose soft lime mortar instead.

Why Cement Mortar Is Destroying Your Victorian Bricks: The Costly Mistake Homeowners Keep Making

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Why Cement Mortar Is Destroying Your Victorian Bricks: The Costly Mistake Homeowners Keep Making

Repointing a Victorian wall with cement mortar seems like a sensible repair—until frost arrives. Two winters later, brick faces crumble in your hands. The problem isn’t the bricks; it’s a fundamental mismatch between modern cement and historic masonry that traps moisture and guarantees spalling.