Lime vs Cement: The better binder

Lime is an age old binder which was used as a construction material worldwide before it was replaced by cement in the 1950s. At Aanandaa, we chose to build our #sustainablehouse with lime as the primary binder material along with rammed earth and stone.
In this video series, we are partnering with Malvika Mehta, Founder of MLIME BUILD LLP, on understanding lime as a binder, it's properties, ways to include it in your building, and its pros and cons vis a vis cement.
The closed loop of lime's lifecycle is why it is sustainable, recyclable, low energy and more relevant than ever before. Companies like MLIME, and people like Malvika are helping house builders adopt this material with standardised products, on site training and theoretical know how.
You can contact the MLIME team on the following handles:
www.mlimebuild.com
@mlime_lime on IG
M [phone]
[e-mail]

[@sudeshjain8284]

Natural Moisture Regulation: Unlike cement, lime has the ability to absorb and release moisture, helping to regulate indoor humidity levels. Cement tends to be more impermeable, which can lead to moisture buildup and potential issues with mold and mildew growth. Improved Indoor Air Quality: Lime-based materials are breathable, allowing for better air circulation and exchange. Cement, being less permeable, may trap indoor air pollutants and allergens, potentially leading to poorer indoor air quality. Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly: While both lime and cement are natural materials, lime is typically considered safer and more eco-friendly due to its lower environmental impact during production and its non-toxic properties. Cement production, on the other hand, can involve the emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Thermal Comfort: Lime-based materials offer natural insulation properties, helping to regulate indoor temperatures and reduce the need for artificial heating or cooling. Cement, while providing structural stability, may not offer the same level of thermal comfort due to its lower insulating properties. Antibacterial Properties: Lime has inherent antimicrobial properties, which can help inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms on surfaces. Cement does not possess the same antibacterial properties, which may make lime-based materials more suitable for areas where cleanliness and hygiene are important. These factors highlight some of the unique health benefits associated with lime-based materials compared to cement.

[@farmaanandaa]

Thank you for sharing all this knowledge with the community and us!

[@jorgesifuentes4626]

I'm a full fan of Miss Malvika a great knowledgeable person. Greetings

[@farmaanandaa]

She is awesome!

[@dr.iqbalmustafa1493]

Thanku malvika , useful information

[@AmblingAloof]

Thank you. This video answered some questions I had about the energy intensity of manufacturing cement.

[@farmaanandaa]

Glad it was helpful!

[@74osho]

yeah, cant wait for the rest of the series.

[@farmaanandaa]

So nice to hear that!

[@bhaskararajugottumukkala4965]

Thank You Very Much - was waiting for this - cannot be more clear than this - I can build my own farm room now !

[@farmaanandaa]

Glad it helped!

[@ricardoperezrestrepo9245]

Always enjoy to learn about construction techniques from you. Thank you a lot for this wonderful school of life you've created!

[@farmaanandaa]

So nice of you to say that!

[@thatojessica888]

Brilliant content! Thank you for sharing

[@farmaanandaa]

Glad you are finding it useful

[@faisalmir9300]

God bless you guys for contributing in saving Mother Nature ❤💪

[@farmaanandaa]

Thank you

[@WalterKaan]

This is the first time I really understand the difference between cement and slaked lime. Thank you so much!

[@farmaanandaa]

Am glad!

[@user-cl1wo1pl4t]

in the history of millions of years.............Lime might have never thought of this........that some day sophisticated ladies would be discussing about him

[@farmaanandaa]

Hehehe, even the ladies had not thought that a day would come when we would be discussing lime!

[@vinayakchavan8094]

Thanks ma'am, very useful. Motivated!

[@farmaanandaa]

Glad to hear that

[@limarosalind665]

Thank you Manisha for this educative video. I am building my Farm Land in Karjat, Taluka, Maharashtra. I am using, a combination of Basaltic Rock, available in my area + Soil+ Lime to build my boundary wall. Iam convinced, I want a sustainable House, so its gonna be rammed Earth.

[@sakshi7146]

Hello i stay in Pune. Can you share from Where i can source lime putty or hydrated lime?

[@vinaytalluri]

Really loved the way you and Malvika have deconstructed the idea of why lime is more sustainable. Simple and profound. Best wishes and keep sharing such stuff. Thank you.

[@farmaanandaa]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@shamimara5308]

Hi Manisha I have been following you from Africa and love your inspiring videos have got a beautiful peace of land and would love to build a home with natural materials their are so abundant here

[@farmaanandaa]

Thank you and good luck!

[@abinari]

love this informative and informal video

[@farmaanandaa]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@keithowen4698]

Amazing video!

[@farmaanandaa]

Glad you thought so!

[@cartoonqueen]

I want to build my home with basalt (no metal) some low fired bricks and I thought “aircrete/ concrete “ but now I realize i should use lime instead. I hope there are ways to do this, thank you!

[@mohankrishnan5272]

Good information. Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@farmaanandaa]

My pleasure

[@pradyumnahegde5091]

premier abhi shuru nahi hua hey!!

[@infinixultra]

so informative

[@farmaanandaa]

Glad you think so!

[@ebrahimhajiameen5817]

Superb

[@farmaanandaa]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@sunilm2813]

thanks for the information. If lime and sand mortar is prepared for brick laying what is the curing cycle ? How many hours after construction should the curing start and for how long ?

[@farmaanandaa]

Lime does not need to be cured, because it sets very slowly.

[@psa896]

❤❤❤

[@akashbenzamin2726]

Thnx to u , taking initiative plzzz also make vedio in hindi too ✨✨

[@farmaanandaa]

Will try

[@dubailomiteluguabbai3971]

can u make one video about pure lime making process it's usefull for us

[@farmaanandaa]

Sorry, not sure I understand what you are asking for

[@rajivsingh4721]

Brilliant, have started using lime in roof

[@diptiranimahanty3413]

How you used lime in Roofing

[@farmaanandaa]

We have not used lime in roofing

[@ibrahimalharbi3358]

@@farmaanandaa Why? Do you encourage me to do so? Some put water of rice, with lime and cement, in Yemen

[@farmaanandaa]

Do some experiments and see

[@motishing4904]

Good information dede

[@farmaanandaa]

धन्यवाद

[@user-cl1wo1pl4t]

lime.....cement.....mortar.......sophistication.......glamour all together

[@farmaanandaa]

Ha ha ha

[@yusuffali1324]

மிகவும் பயனுள்ள தகவல்கள் நன்றி

[@farmaanandaa]

Most welcome!

[@purnact3741]

Hi, nice to see this, have one question, lime as a binder can be used any type of bricks ? , say natural stones, mud bricks etc etc .

[@farmaanandaa]

Yes that is right. Lime Sand mortar can be used for masonry and plasters.

[@purnact3741]

thank you , pls keep up good work.@@farmaanandaa

[@scotthorning1180]

Where are you at? Do you get the freeze thaw cycle?

[@farmaanandaa]

No, we are in the sub tropics. We do not get freezing temperatures here.

[@AnakiteOG]

Excellent presentation! I hope you can clear up a point of confusion for me. I'm living on the east coast of the US . I can go to the construction material store and pick up a bag of hydrated lime ( ready to use lime binder). Is that not something you can do in your location? Or is there a quality issue with what is available?

[@farmaanandaa]

Construction quality hydrated lime is not easily or commonly available in India at a store. In fact that is exactly what Malvika and her company MLIME are solving for! They are now selling packaged Fat Lime, ready to use for construction.

[@AnakiteOG]

@farmaanandaa Aha, thank you for clarifying that for me. Best wishes to Malvika in her endeavors 🎉

[@GriffenNaif]

@@farmaanandaa thanks for your content! what other names does fat lime go by?

[@molnargabor8689]

Hello! What type of lime did you used in construction of your building foundation?

[@farmaanandaa]

Slaked lime

[@maanojsurve1371]

Is it available in the market easily for use as plaster or mortar?

[@farmaanandaa]

Yes of course. You can see the details of MLIME in the description

[@denisesilvaart]

Great explanation! Thanks for making this video. I have 2 questions: 1) Is lime waterproof? Can it be used for external walls that are exposed to the elements? 2) Could we use lime to build a water tank? If not, what would be the best sustainable material for this job?

[@farmaanandaa]

Ah, such pertinent questions! Look out for the next video Lime in Civil Work which will premier on Thursday

[@farmaanandaa]

Some lime surface finishes are waterproof and we will talk about that in Surface Finish episodes coming up next week

[@farmaanandaa]

You can definitely make a water tank in lime. But you will have to wait for about a year before you can start to use it as it will take that much time to set completely

[@denisesilvaart]

@@farmaanandaa Thank you 💖 I am looking forward to learning more from you.

[@marks6663]

Two questions: Is it not true that cement also hardens with exposure to CO2? Is it not true that Natural Hydraulic Lime, NHL, hardens initially with water, like cement?

[@farmaanandaa]

Both are true. Do watch the video on cement vs lime for this

[@abdulwahabmughal2467]

What is setting time of lime binder

[@farmaanandaa]

A few days.

[@satyakithorat3545]

Does lime plaster binds on cob walls

[@farmaanandaa]

If the wall surface it rough, the plaster should stick. Else can put a mesh on the wall to help the plaster to stick.

[@ac.bhartiya]

Can we make multistorey buildings using lime???

[@farmaanandaa]

Lime is just a binder like cement. You can use it to make anything! All old multistorey havelis in Rajasthan are made of lime

[@_.-._SHAAN_.-._]

How would you prevent degradation or erosion of limestone?

[@farmaanandaa]

Am not sure what you mean.

[@_.-._SHAAN_.-._]

@@farmaanandaa limestone is softer material and is not much durable, compared to cement it can erode very easily over time. I think you guys being professional must be knowing it, so my question is what you guys do it to prevent that?

[@tangokaleidos1926]

@@_.-._SHAAN_.-._ lime mortar and plaster/render is softer and not as strong as cement, but that is misleading. It is actually because cement is stronger meaning more rigid that it cracks when there is slight movement in the building, especially so for old buildings. Your mortar and plaster render should always be softer than the bricks or material it is binding to. This preserves bricks and other materials as cement is too rigid so when it moves it breaks or cracks the bricks. Stonger is not always better. Lime is more durable in the sense that it is breathable and flexible giving much greater longevity than cement. Think about all the ancient buildings around the world that were built with lime. Now look at the modern concrete buildings, floors and driveways. The concrete ones all crack very soon after being made. They cannot stand for hundreds or thousands of years. However many were mixed with natural pozzolans (fly ash, volcanic ash, GGBS, Metakaolin clay, Silica fume, red brick dust, rice hull ash, wheat straw ash, etc) which produce a stronger lime if it is needed for heavy structural support. There is a lot of info about it online which can articulate it better than I can. I hope this helps.

[@DevotedGamer1]

Can LIME be used in Rammed-Earth buildings, walls e.t.c?

[@farmaanandaa]

Yes of course. We have used it in a rammed earth building

[@umeshchauhan366]

@@farmaanandaa which form of lime you used for rammed earth. I doubt it was quick lime made to slaked lime as rammed earth mixtures would have little moisture in it and slaked lime would be difficult to mix in it? Or you used slaked dried lime (which we call hydrated lime powder).

[@farmaanandaa]

We used slaked lime itself. The lime is used in small quantities and the moisture present is adequate for the earth mix

[@GriffenNaif]

@@farmaanandaa Awesome Content!! Please make a video of the Lime Earth Block CEB process and what you do to make it water resistant if you do

[@ebrahimhajiameen5817]

Supeb

[@farmaanandaa]

Thank you!

[@Arun43647]

3:21 what is that noise? 🤔

[@farmaanandaa]

The husband (also my cameraman) must have dropped something. I've learnt to keep a straight face through all his antics! 😁😁

[@Arun43647]

@@farmaanandaa 😂

[@user-hu2lq4wl4r]

I am from mumbai have a land in karjat want to make a farm house can I come and see your annada farm

[@farmaanandaa]

You can book a farm stay or tour on www.aanandaa.com

[@kavithareddy1891]

Not responding to my calls

[@farmaanandaa]

Kindly email on [e-mail]. we are not available at all times or obligated to take calls.

[@kavithareddy1891]

I called many times,each and every time I can't send mails,all times not responding calls simply don't tell to send mail

[@findingfacts7841]

Lime is costly end of discussion

[@farmaanandaa]

There are enough people who can afford to spend money on lime. So we will continue this discussion. Thank you

[@RakeshShukla1]

Cement with aggregates that was referred by the younger lady is called concrete, who ends it by saying it's strongest at 28days and has a life of 30yrs 😮😂 A little bit science is a good thing 🤭🤭🤭

[@farmaanandaa]

Why don't you share the science for everybody's benefit.

[@RakeshShukla1]

@@farmaanandaa fyi there are people you know personally who know the science I know, but that said: - a concrete wall will easily last 100+ yrs. - an RCC building foundation or cast will last a 1000yrs. - concrete erodes very slowly and is easily protected - unlike in the video if it's just on the surface that you want to repair as in plaster it is easy to replaster - concrete can last 2000yrs or more like made with volcanic ash as the Romans did because of the creation of aluminium tobermorite. Limestone is great for sustainability etc but let's not confuse the issue. For more science feel free to ping me 🫡

[@sanankhan2960]

Pesa hitu keya koch nahi ho ta hia

[@govind1175]

Good morning mdam, thanks for ur videos which I liked, I want to build a sustainable small house in village in kolkata , but I donot have support, Kindly help me by giving ur phone no , professionally I am a engineer, thanks

[@farmaanandaa]

Hello, we are not architects or builders. You can contact the relevant people whose details are given in the description of the video.

[@Traderjoe]

Lime breaks down very fast compared to Portland cement. While this may appeal to people who think about it decomposing, I want what I make with it to last longer than me. Lime lasts a few years or a decade. Portland cement lasts many decades.

[@farmaanandaa]

You must visit India sometime to see structures which are centuries old, built in lime and still standing strong!

[@ab71640]

Cement breaks down.

[@rustyhands8179]

indians telling the west how to mix lime ha ha ha ha ha ha

[@farmaanandaa]

Not at all. We are only telling other Indians.