Why use a traditional lime mortar for your property?
Builders have used lime mortar as a construction material for thousands of years. Only in recent decades have empirical tests given us a scientific understanding of lime’s exceptional durability. As a natural building material, lime also offers a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to cement.
Although builders started using Portland cement more widely from the 1920s onward, they had previously relied on lime mortar for house construction. Lime’s permeability allowed moisture to pass from the interior of masonry to the outside, making damp courses unnecessary in older buildings.
Over the past 50 years, however, many tradespeople have repointed lime-built structures with cement. This practice has proven harmful because cement, a non-breathable material designed for modern construction, traps moisture within the masonry. Without the ability to expel this moisture, lime-based walls suffer from spalling and decay. In winter, the damage worsens when trapped moisture freezes and thaws, leading to cracking and surface breakdown.
Cement doesn’t just trap water—it pushes it inward. As a result, interior walls become damp, plaster begins to deteriorate, timbers start to rot, and the structure may require costly repairs. Surveyors often misdiagnose this moisture problem as rising damp and suggest damp-proof course injections, which rarely solve the issue and waste money.
The solution. Lime mortar.
To fix the root of the problem, you need to repoint with a suitable lime mortar that allows the building to breathe. Before doing so, you must repair any cracks caused by the inappropriate use of cement. Lime-based masonry and cement don’t work well together; their physical properties differ too much. Cement remains rigid, while lime allows for gentle, natural movement without cracking.
Today, more architects and contractors recognize the benefits of using slaked lime mortar or NHL (natural hydraulic lime) mortars—not just for restorations, but also in new builds. These mortars provide flexibility, durability, and a visually pleasing finish.
Many historic buildings, often built with shallow step footings only 400mm below ground, don’t need rigid structural support. Their flexibility comes from the lime mortar itself, which allows gentle shifts over time without damage.
The mortar should always be softer than the bricks.
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Prestige Brickwork
Out of 5 stars
Overall rating out of 39 Google reviews
Sam and the team at Prestige are fantastic. Had them back for the second time to do another strip out and repointing of an exterior wall and it looks fantastic. It was in a neighbour's garden and they left the area spotless. The whole team is polite, respectful and take real pride in their work. He put extra people on the team and the whole job was complete in a day to minimise disruption. Can't recommend them highly enough.
Sam is very knowledgeable and very keen to please, nothing is too much trouble and on top of that they do a really great job. Great company to deal with we would highly recommend them you will not be dissapointed.
Sam and his great team are so very knowledgeable, polite, and super friendly! I had some sympathetic brick restoration work and pointing to do on my Victorian property, and the results are brilliant. My neighbors were so impressed they have asked for his details. Shout out to Cameron, Glen, and Harry for making the whole process a delight from start to finish. I would 100% recommend Prestige Brickworks!
I called Sam round to provide a quote to repoint our house. When he arrives he ran through what needed doing and what looked okay. There were some really badly worn parts of the house (particularly at the front where it is more exposed to the weather being south facing). Ultimately, he could have said it all needed doing and I would have been none the wiser. The quote came in a timely manner and was less than expected as we thought the whole house might need doing, so that was a pleasant surprise. That was just the initial process. When it came to doing the work, Sam was really helpful in bringing the work forward by a couple of days due to an unexpected event in my own work meaning I couldn't be there on the originally planned date. The team worked really hard over the 2 days and nothing was too much trouble. My outside tap didn't work and my neighbour allowed them to use hers. As a gesture of goodwill, they did a little patchwork on her garage wall. Their attention to detail was excellent too. All in all a very positive experience and now my house looks the newest in the street! People are often stopping to look at it. I would highly recommend Prestige Brickworks.
Sam is very knowledgeable and was able to give us some really helpful and honest advice on works required.
Sam and his team are incredible. I was so pleased with the repair and repointing of our Victorian fireplace. The team's communication, attention to detail and care for our home was excellent. Would absolutely recommend and use for all future restoration jobs!
Sam and his team are amazing. I'm over the moon with the finished look. The guys did an amazing job. Big shout out to Max, really on it as the lead and took his time explaining and going through everything with me. Everyone was super professional, polite and conscientious. Leaving the place spotless. Thanks Sam 🙌🙌
I was so impressed by the work completed on my period property. Everyone I met from Prestige was professional and had great attention to detail, taking pride in their work like true artisans. Site was left spotless after. Would highly recommend.
Sam and his team re-pointed our holiday let complex in Canterbury. They made an excellent job of it and I'm extremely happy. They started the job on schedule, were always courteous and made sure that I was happy with the work at every stage, they even cleaned up at the end of the job. I will be using these guys again. Highly recommended. Old Fire Station Canterbury
Prestige brickwork are by far the best contractors we have used on the exterior of our house. I had numerous quotes to have our house repointed, but just couldn’t find the right contractor, we wanted it repointed with traditional lime mortar and as soon as I met with Sam I knew this was the right company for us! Everyone who worked at our house were professional and helpful. Sam also arranged the scaffolding and the work was carried out swiftly. Most contractors cannot wait to get away and on to the next job, but we went around the house at least twice checking that we were happy with everything once completed. We love the outcome and it looks better as time goes on, I would recommend prestige without hesitation from start to finish an excellent job!
Booked Prestige Brickwork to repoint some brickwork on my house with lime mortar and, because I was very happy with his work, also asked him to repoint my fireplace - see before and after pictures below. Sam always responded promptly to text messages and arranged for scaffolding to be taken down at a later date to accomodate the contractors who followed him, who were delayed. Good work, good value and very helpful.
Fabulous company to do business with. Gave good guidance on what work needed to be done and what was aesthetically pleasing. Workforce were extremely polite and just cracked on with the work. Place left clean and tidy after what is a messy job. Sam was an excellent communicator throughout. I recommend them thoroughly Adrian Bennett
Sam and his team completed the repointing of my house today. My husband and I are so pleased with the difference it has made to the appearance of the house. The entire team were fantastic, punctual, hard working, polite, friendly and respectful. Every step of the process communication was excellent, nothing was too much trouble. At the end of each day they did a great job of tidying and cleaning up. Would highly recommend Prestige Brickwork.