Grade II Repointing & Ties
Repointing and helical tie bars to a Grade II listed building — stabilising cracked masonry and putting a breathable mortar back into the joints.
The brief
A Grade II listed building with cracked masonry and joints that had had their day. It needed both halves of the job — the movement stabilised, and the pointing put right in a mortar the wall could actually breathe through.
What we did
- Assessed the cracking and where the masonry needed tying
- Installed helical tie bars into the failed sections
- Raked out the old joints back to a sound depth
- Repointed in a lime mortar matched to the building
The result
Stabilised, breathable masonry — the cracking dealt with, and pointing that will let the wall dry out rather than trap water in it.
Questions about this kind of work
Why use lime mortar instead of cement?
Older and traditionally-built stone needs to breathe. Cement traps moisture against the stone, which leads to damp and accelerated decay. Breathable lime mortar lets moisture move out of the wall and stays softer than the stone, so it’s the mortar that weathers rather than the masonry. We match the mix to the building.
Do you work on listed and historic buildings?
Yes. We carry out stone and masonry works to listed and historic buildings, planned and documented to suit conservation requirements, and we’re happy to work alongside your architect, surveyor or conservation officer.
Do you work with contractors and architects?
Yes. Alongside private homeowners, we work as a subcontractor for main contractors and on architect- and church-led heritage projects. We are comfortable working to a defined spec and schedule, and keeping communication clear throughout.
How do you price and scope work?
Clearly. You get a scope that sets out exactly what is included and what is not, so there are no nasty surprises at the end. If something needs to change once the work is opened up, we tell you before we do it.
How do I get a quote?
Get in touch with a few details — and photos if you have them — and we’ll arrange to come and see the work. Quotes are free and come with a clear scope of what’s included, along with a note of anything that might change once the work is opened up. Send us your details to get started.
How long will the work take?
It depends on the job and the weather — lime work in particular needs the right conditions to cure properly. We’ll give you a realistic timescale with the quote and keep you updated as the work progresses.