Its TIME for LIME

The Use of Lime for Lime concrete, Lime render, Lime pointing, Limecrete, Lime wash ....

This month’s Chartered Surveyors meeting at Woodward Chartered Surveyors in Harrow focused on the use of lime as Lime render, Lime pointing, Limecrete, Lime wash, and many other uses.

Kevin Nind of specialist firm London Building Renovation was in the chair and brought samples, examples and a wealth of knowledge in period property renovation and restoration to the meeting.

Cement is used to make concrete, the binding agent in most modern “brick and block” buildings. It is also used to render buildings, protecting the outside surface from the weather elements.

But before modern cement was invented in the 1800’s, lime was the principal constituent of cement and is making a bit of a comeback.

Strength
Lime concrete is strong; the 2000 year old Patheon in Rome has a lime cement dome, not reinforced, that spans 142 feet!

Flexibility
A key benefit of lime based cement is its flexibility, allowing a building to move a little without cracking. This is key in many older buildings with shallower foundations or, for instance, timber buildings where the structure moves with environmental changes.

Breathability
It is very important that older buildings, usually built of single skin not cavity, breath and lime render allows this to happen where modern cement renders do not, causing extensive damp problems inside the building.

There are of course many situations where lime cement is not best specified, but it is important practitioners know when, or when not, to specify it in refurbishment projects. If you require the advice of a Chartered Surveyor in the Oxford to London area, contact Woodward Chartered Surveyors main office in Harrow on 020 8423 4001 or use our enquiry form.