Just had a builder come round to quote for repointing the front wall of my 1890s terrace... all of the mortar can be flicked off with a finger, and it is in dire need of repair, some brick faces have blown off.
The guy who came round (he spoke to my girlfriend, because i am at work) said that he would not use lime mortar because it would stain the bricks.
I was under the impression that lime was the way to go, I think that the mortar that is currently falling off was cement based, and this has probably caused the blown faces.
Is there any truth to what he says, or should I keep looking for a better builder? Everything else he said seemed reasonable, and the price was in the right ballpark (horrible americanism, but i can't think of a better way of saying it)
the bricks are yellow london stock with a few lines of orange lesters (i think), if this makes a difference.
Thanks,
Dave (my first post... woohooo!!)
The guy who came round (he spoke to my girlfriend, because i am at work) said that he would not use lime mortar because it would stain the bricks.
I was under the impression that lime was the way to go, I think that the mortar that is currently falling off was cement based, and this has probably caused the blown faces.
Is there any truth to what he says, or should I keep looking for a better builder? Everything else he said seemed reasonable, and the price was in the right ballpark (horrible americanism, but i can't think of a better way of saying it)
the bricks are yellow london stock with a few lines of orange lesters (i think), if this makes a difference.
Thanks,
Dave (my first post... woohooo!!)