Lime point or cement point ??

[buildlondon363]

To lime point or cement point ??!!
I have a bay which all the pointing has eroded, cracked or fallen out and weeds which grow out the top. It needs re doing probably top 3 courses, not sure if a normal lime mix will be too white and weird on appearance, client doesn’t want to pay for diff clean and rather not jet wash but could do lightly on just Bay Area. I can’t fully tell if it is lime. And if would be bad doing it cement but rather do what’s right.
Please advice
Thanks

 

[Wayners]

From brick pattern it's solid walls so no cavity?

 

[Koolpc]

Waw, looks bad.

If it were me, i would rebuild it......remove those top 2 courses and then see if the last course is as bad and re bed it all...

 

[Deleted member 323070]

An excellent guide to identifying the differences here:

Lime vs. Cement Mortars & How to Tell the Difference | Cornish Lime

Lime or cement mortar? While both are used in construction, how they differ can be unclear. Learn about mortar types, differences & visual markers for each.

cornishlime.co.uk

There will be a noticeable difference in the colour of the new mortar compared to the old mortar, whichever you use.
This difference may be reduced by the addition of a pigment to match the old mortar. You might need a few tests to decide on the amount of pigment needed.

 

[88v8]

To lime point or cement point ??!!
I can’t fully tell if it is lime. And if would be bad doing it cement but rather do what’s right.
Please advice

Drop some of the mortar into vinegar. If it fizzes, it's lime.

Lime is not meant to last forever. In time, all lime pointing will need redoing. But it's kind to the bricks or stone, as it's softer.
Use NHL 2.0 and a sharp sand.

 

[buildlondon363]

From brick pattern it's solid walls so no cavity?

Yeah solid so lime be preferred

 

[buildlondon363]

Waw, looks bad.

If it were me, i would rebuild it......remove those top 2 courses and then see if the last course is as bad and re bed it all...

True for what it is, debating new bricks but hard to find same, some are so badly damaged

 

[buildlondon363]

An excellent guide to identifying the differences here:

Lime vs. Cement Mortars & How to Tell the Difference | Cornish Lime

Lime or cement mortar? While both are used in construction, how they differ can be unclear. Learn about mortar types, differences & visual markers for each.

cornishlime.co.uk

There will be a noticeable difference in the colour of the new mortar compared to the old mortar, whichever you use.
This difference may be reduced by the addition of a pigment to match the old mortar. You might need a few tests to decide on the amount of pigment needed.

Many thanks! Yeah will look different but hopefully as it’s the section that steps out will look less weird if you see what I mean.

 

[buildlondon363]

Drop some of the mortar into vinegar. If it fizzes, it's lime.

Lime is not meant to last forever. In time, all lime pointing will need redoing. But it's kind to the bricks or stone, as it's softer.
Use NHL 2.0 and a sharp sand.

Thanks will give it a go, seems like normal cement mortar so could go back with cement if it is already