Traditional Lime Pointing for Historic Buildings
Breathable hot-mixed lime pointing
Historically accurate materials and methods
Heritage Lime Pointing in Practice
Removal of Incompatible Cement Pointing
Cement and other hard mortars can trap moisture within solid masonry, leading to decay of stone or brick.
We carefully remove incompatible pointing by hand, minimising disturbance to the surrounding fabric and preparing the joints correctly for breathable lime repair.
Hot-Mix Lime Mortar, Produced By Hand
Our hot-mix lime mortars are produced fresh by hand using traditional methods.
Quicklime is combined with carefully selected aggregates and water to create lime-rich mortars suited to historic masonry, allowing the building to move and breathe as intended.
Hand-Applied Lime Building Pointing
All lime pointing is applied by hand using traditional techniques appropriate to the building’s age and construction.
Careful compaction and finishing ensure the mortar performs as a sacrificial, breathable element while achieving a finish that sits naturally within the historic fabric.
Breathable lime mortars
Building-specific mixes
Traditional hand application
Correct historic detailing
Moisture-safe repairs
Minimal intervention
Long-term fabric protection
Authentic historic finish
Reduces trapped damp
Dovetail Heritage
Mortar is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, components of historic buildings.
In traditional masonry, the mortar must be softer than the surrounding stone and remain breathable. This allows it to manage moisture movement safely, acting as a sacrificial element that protects the building fabric over time.
For centuries, hot-mixed lime mortars made from quicklime were used to create durable, compatible repairs that allowed buildings to remain dry, flexible, and stable.
In the last century, this knowledge has often been lost. The widespread use of cement and other incompatible mortars has trapped moisture within solid walls, leading to saturation, decay, and long-term damage to historic masonry.
At Dovetail Heritage, our work focuses on reversing that damage. By returning to traditional materials and methods, we help historic buildings perform as they were originally intended — healthy, breathable, and built to endure.