Pointing Stonework

[Paulal]

Can anyone offer any advise please:

We have a Charantaise stone wall which needs pointing, we dont know whether we need to use a cement mix or if there is some special mix.  Does anyone know or can offer advice

thanks

PaulaL

[zeb]

If you like and can afford convenience buy 25kg sacks of Parex (13 euros a sack) at your local builders' merchants - they have colour charts there and usually stock the most popular colour for the local stone - we are in the Charente and have just used G20. Advantage is that as long as you buy enough of the same colour code you can do some, then go shopping, do some more a week later, and it's all the same shade.

If you have hundreds of square metres to do and want to mix the stuff yourself buy chaux (lime) and local sand. The ratio is on the packet (or someone here, I'm sure will oblige). For the stone to breathe it's best not to mix in any cement but some do....Make sure you use exactly the same ratio for each mix or colour will differ.

Have fun.....very theraputic according to some!

[Iceni]

Do a search, there is/was loads on here about lime motar.

If you use cement you run the risk of the stones cracking - the whole point of lime mortar is that it never sets - is always moist on the inside so moves with the stones. Another reason why these houses don't have damp proof courses.

A friend of mine had a stone house in the UK which they bought when renovated. All sorts of strange things started to happen to the walls which culminated in water running in through the walls downstairs. The exterior of the house had been painted with something like Sandtex which had sealed the walls. This had to be sandblasted off and in the process the very ancient original windows (the reason they bought the place) were wrecked.

I am sitting here looking at our interior finished walls - great - but this is one room - we have the whole main barn to do and then the outside - quite a few years work here then

[Bobc]

"If you like and can afford convenience buy 25kg sacks of Parex (13 euros a sack) at your local builders' merchants - they have colour charts there and usually stock the most popular colour for the local stone - we are in the Charente and have just used G20. Advantage is that as long as you buy enough of the same colour code you can do some, then go shopping, do some more a week later, and it's all the same shade."

Good advice, but you need to buy the right product - the Parex name covers a big range.

For repointing stonework you need Parex Parlumière.

Whilst the cost of using a commercial product is far higher than using raw materials, it has the benefit that you can work at your own speed with small batches, and know that it will always dry to the same colour.

Regards,

Bob Clarke
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/grindoux

[Bobc]

"Do a search, there is/was loads on here about lime motar.

If you use cement you run the risk of the stones cracking - the whole point of lime mortar is that it never sets - is always moist on the inside so moves with the stones. Another reason why these houses don't have damp proof courses."

Without wanting to start another "Building with Green Oak thread".

Lime mortar seems to have some sort of mythical status in property restoration. Whilst it has a use in some situations, there are other modern products that are far easier to use and that achieve the same results.

Lime mortar dries as does any mortar - it does not remain moist on the inside. It will always be softer than the stone and so if the stone moves then the mortar will break. As you say, cement could cause soft stone to break.

There are a number of repointing products available from Lanko and Weber & Broutin that are recognised by Batiments de France for the restoration of old buildings.

Not sure about your comment re damp proof courses. I would agree that most old house do not have them, but if restoring, then not to put them in would be a false economy.

Regards,

Bob Clarke
http://perso.wanadoo.fr.grindoux

[zeb]

[quote]"If you like and can afford convenience buy 25kg sacks of Parex (13 euros a sack) at your local builders' merchants - they have colour charts there and usually stock the most popular colour for the lo...[/quote]

Thanks Bob - forgot the full name as the empty bags are all burnt now.

What we did find though is that it is really important to use gloves if you want to kepp your fingerprints!

[Paulal]

[quote]If you like and can afford convenience buy 25kg sacks of Parex (13 euros a sack) at your local builders' merchants - they have colour charts there and usually stock the most popular colour for the loc...[/quote]

thanks for your help, which part of the Charante are you in? 

 

Paula

[Paulal]

[quote]Can anyone offer any advise please: We have a Charantaise stone wall which needs pointing, we dont know whether we need to use a cement mix or if there is some special mix. Does anyone know or can o...[/quote]

thanks to everyone for their suggestions, its been most helpful.

 

PaulaL