No 32, LIME vs CEMENT !!

[@kathybourdo6687]

Thank you Nick. You take the time to teach, for those who wish to learn, without being condescending or arrogant. Refreshing✨

[@deranocasper]

Very good video educational good man

[@carmenmariacortesmarin2664]

Glad to see the greenhouse up! Learned about mixing cement, hadn't thought about adding mortar plasticizer and waterproofing. Thanks

[@suzilouden5964]

Another great video. Yes, cement v lime is very controversial. Here in our part of France we use a mix of white cement, lime and sand because most of our stone is a soft buttery coloured sandstone. Grey portland cement just wouldn't look right. Thanx for sharing your knowledge and experience....have a great weekend 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@Ze77Carlos]

On some old houses the walls aren't isolated at the base. If the floor under the wall is dumped, the humidity will have tendency to climb the up the wall

[@margaretlovelock7031]

One should respect traditions and all houses should breath they are healthier

[@mrbulldog7396]

love your videos . we don't have a project property in Portugal but we do in bulgaria right on the turkey border . and will be taking all your tips and hints with us when we start our project thanks From scotland

[@ingevansand9180]

Love Bulgaria! ❤️

[@DanSmith-v4l]

Great information.

[@sherry9088]

You make total sense about lime verses cement pointing! !!!

[@101life9]

Nick knows what he is talking about. Another job well done.

[@mariajoseguerreiro9119]

Lovely video!.. The green house, looks amazing! Thank you for sharing.

[@marisseblakemore8977]

Thank you for assisting our SA sister Cindy Vine

[@ruthconstantino6861]

Thank for your very clear explanation. At last, the use of cement vs lime for mortaring & rendering is demystified for me! Greenhouse redo looks nice, love the clever luxury shelving.

[@ce1581]

Another big deal is the grading around the foundation if the water pools around foundation it can wick up into your walls so dig away OR build up and compact earth to force water away from foundations. 🥰❣️❣️❣️

[@philomena333]

Key is good ventilation, and have protected, and good roof, gutters drain etc. Always replace original material, like for like

[@richardteychenne3950]

Thanks Nick very clear presentation. I agree with most of the things you are saying with a couple of questions. Your lovely home is built with large granite blocks which means there are relatively few original lime mortar paths running up internally in the wall. If someone has a property with the more common mixed stone schist combination and as is common no damp course and often partly sunk into the ground. Then significant moisture will wick up inside the wall. As you say internal lime render and good ventilation are essential. What you say about the external envelope, good roof, shedding water away from the walls, some form of French drain and shower resistant wall surfaces do solve most of the damp challenges. This leaves two challenges to resolve. First getting a harmonious render colour, local materials help a lot. The second is whatever mortar you use should not be stronger than the main stone material otherwise you are creating the possibility the stone will fail first and future restoration options are restricted. All the best guys, loved the near instant 'temporary' greenhouse door 👍😀

[@joannecalcutt6724]

Another fantastic video. It does help to visually see the thought process as you talk through it. Background music is a nice touch. Good job on the greenhouse.

[@CindyVine]

ooooooooo controversial!

[@chrisatkin7130]

You used your building as an example of why you don`t use lime, as you know not every stone building makes use of granite. Whichever mortar you choose it should be weaker than the rocks/bricks. Our place is built using a mixture of marble and a form of sedimentary rocks on top of a cave that had collapsed pre 1890 ( this is the date official records were kept in our area although cave houses here predate 1700s), we also have a cave house that was lined with a more modern product which was very bad as it was hollow behind after years of moisture in the land.

[@sydneyevans2637]

"What junk?" That was a great exit! Don't know if a nursery in your area sells Mesquite trees but a thornless variety would probably do good in your soil. They make great shade with little mess. Place is looking beautiful, as usual. Stay safe and well.

[@annashealthylifeeverything8583]

stay awake

[@Solo50plus]

Brilliant. Such good explanations and demonstrations. Really great!

[@rarendsen9688]

Thank you very much for this excellent explanation about lime, cement and ventilation. I'll be moving to Portugal this March and will be looking for a property that will be in need of some TLC. I will take your advice and use cement to point and render. Cheers!

[@dweamy1]

Thank you for explaining re lime v Cement, very interesting, and I also didn't know about the mortar plasticizer. Love the greenhouse, well done!

[@KarenLee-ms2th]

Excellent cement vs lime explanation. Love seeing you both in the videos. Love the luxury shelves. I agree, the stuff for the greenhouse is not junk...lol! Do you think the shape of the greenhouse is important? Nomadic Movement is in Boquete Panama and the wind is crazy there. Their greenhouse is geodesic dome and it has not blown down. Looks really cool too. They have a wood door that has their tree logo on it and it's really unique artwork.

[@casaMariaPT]

I’ve waited a long time for this video, and I knew it would be you that broached the subject. Well done! And thank you very much for clearing up a very grey area for lots of people at the early stages of their Refurb’s in Portugal. All the talk of moisture inside, damp all over the inside of the house, breathable walls, floors and ceilings et cetera was extremely daunting, but with a little clarification and demonstration from yourself things look a lot clearer now.

[@Sean-hf5mn]

Awesome video, in fact all your videos are great and informative. Many Thanks.

[@ddsevents]

Well said Nick. We don't know anything about DIY and self building but there are some things that need to be addressed and said out loud. Just far too many people coming over and selling themselves as experts in many areas that I doubt they are actually have any real experience in.

[@projectportugal]

So true

[@celiapereira5223]

You two are marvellous 👌👏

[@allonesame6467]

Thoughtful and well demonstrated. What a beautiful project! Keep going!

[@denisemastromina7821]

Always interesting and very informative in Greece they use fine sand cement and a lime that is like very thick yogurt that you buy in small plastic sacks. 🤔🤔🤔

[@daffs0]

Awesome video Never thought about putting plaster sizer in the concrete awesome Thank you for sharing 😁

[@raycharsley]

I always wanted to know this, thank you ..

[@violetgypsie]

Great explanation. Here in Eastern Canada we have very hot and humid summers and very cold and humid winters. All houses are “air tight” with extractor fans in the kitchens and bathrooms. We do not get mold.

[@mark_mthws]

Great explanation, thanks for all the information 👌🏻

[@corinnetonelli489]

Perfect video! Not junk I agree! Lots of plants, That will give you food and flowers to enjoy…. Envious! Happy growing… and cannot wait for Tuesday, that tank is yucky dirty… Have-a great weekend!

[@julietlehrle-fry6696]

You are a brilliant teacher thank you .

[@natvgerkin]

Hi Nick, this video is exactly what I need right now, thank you, this is a big debate in our house at the moment! Part of that debate is that our house does not have a damp proof course, what about damp entering from below and rising? Would this then be trapped in the walls with modern rendering? Any help gratefully received ta!

[@projectportugal]

On it, vid coming shortly maybe?

[@janp7943]

good one Nick! Thanks for sharing! See you Tuesday.

[@projectportugal]

Ooh ! What's happening Tuesday?

[@joewalsh733]

Great info! Cheers for passing on some well earned knowledge.

[@soniayoung5097]

Thank you!

[@VickyMarinho]

So scientific, Nick. So easy to grasp. Thank you very much for all the clear and pedbleagogical demos. Much appreciated. You are an excellent teacher and craftsman. God bless for your generosity

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thank you so much for this video Nick. Nick from Destino mentioned how you agreed about concrete vs lime and it's very helpful to have this information in video format. This videos matters, specially when it's made by skilled people who know what they are talking about and have experience on these buildings. Cornwall after all is full of stone houses. Now, may I ask: What about sandstone? Is that possible? What if you want to change the colour of the pointing? What is the ratio of your mix? Apologies if it was mentioned. Is it safe to point the outside and the inside? Or does one side should be skimmed completely? How was the ventilation system done on the roof? It makes sense once you say: Your house doesn't need to breathe! right?!

[@projectportugal]

It doesn't matter what stone is used the important thing is the mortar Plasticiser on the inside pointing, and plasticiser/waterproofer on the outside or waterproofer for both, you can dye cement mortar any colour or lighten it by using cimento branco, the roof is insulated panels, we left a small gap (50mm) where they meet at the top, then the ridge profile over the top, so effectively the whole length of the house has 1 huge vent, where it's needed most, the mortar mix was 3 to 1

[@TheIndigoEscape]

@@projectportugal awesome Nick! Thank you so much for your response!! ❤️🙏🏻 Best of luck with you future projects

[@sonyagair1219]

That's why have windows and doors for fresh air and a house breathe. In SA 99% of home are build with brick and mortar and rendered with cement mix as well! Don't crack at al.

[@portugueseutopia7039]

Really pleased with this video especially, as I hope to be in Portugal in April/May and will be doing rendering on our old house. I was unsure which way to go having watched Theo & Bea, and others insisting on going down the lime route. Which again is fine wanting to be traditional then filling it with modern things like electric and flat pack furniture etc. If you want comfort and feel dry, (Which w eall do), cement renderis the way. Can the cement, sand and mortar plastersizer be bought in Castelo Branco? Where would you recondmend. If you could give a rough price on materials it would help us work out our future budgets. The content really is spot on for my interests and learning.Keep up the good work. Steve

[@projectportugal]

All available in Castelo, you may have to search around for the Plasticiser but it's here

[@steveg8549]

Is there any Leeroy merlin builders yards nearby seciltek lime systems and fassa bortolo lime systems are lovely to use they allow the building to breath and a lot less impermeable than cement with a chemical that will breakdown eventually

[@sondraflesch1463]

A friend of mine told me a mortar mixture with added lime for my stone house. I didn't know about the controversy .. I just preferred a grey look.. Not the whiter lime. (Especially because I thought my mistakes would show up more !!) Lol.

[@projectportugal]

@@sondraflesch1463 things are done a bit differently in the states, I think lime is used in percentages according to where it's being used, cement there is called Portland and is normally mixed with lime to make 'mortar'

[@portugueseutopia7039]

@@sondraflesch1463 My house is over 100 years old and whatever I use will be better than no render.lol and it will outlive me.lol

[@FelizPete]

It was a pleasure to watch this video, very imformative and clearly you know what you are talking about, many thanks

[@patriciahawkes386]

Cement holds water whereas lime mortar let's the boulders breath

[@projectportugal]

Did you watch the video?

[@User0resU-1]

​@@projectportugal I really wanted to but after the 50th "yeah" in about 5mins I couldn't take anymore. Maybe I'll come back later and try again.

[@mk-xq1tt]

Your place is looking good and your house too. I don't think anyone will argue with you about the rendering😊. Your lady is the best yard cleaner I have seen so far 😊 .

[@michelecarroll8168]

Wow! Thanks so much for this video! Great info

[@dhatchett6030]

Loved your show and tell method. I have learned to think of a house as a boat turned upside down

[@manuelacavaco4147]

Fantastic project.

[@GerardoTrilobites]

Interesting! Also ventilation is good in granite building to let the radon gas go out. Enjoy life. Thanks for share with us.

[@deboracarpenter1103]

I just love you guys you're so cute and you're so knowledgeable I love you program hooked

[@auntytutu]

Well...Thank You Very Much for the demonstrations. Its been on my mind lately and that's funny because I've never built anything or are likely to build anything...ever. I do enjoy watching a variety of DIY channels and seen a lot of pointing and plastering. It's an interesting coincidence that these things seem to come around so timely.

[@pamelashanholtzer3832]

Ah, if I was 30 years younger, I’d be on my way to Portugal. Right now I would love to move out of the states and into a rural environment. Love all your videos. The door in the greenhouse looks great. I was wondering, is concrete more durable than the lime pointing. Or do they both last about the same amount of time.I agree that having ventilation is very important. Great video.

[@projectportugal]

Cement based pointing is much more durable

[@octaviodebarros4006]

Thanks for your lime vs cement explanation, makes a lot of sense...Can't wait for your next vid, always interesting and entertaining 😀

[@dip9037]

Nice video but very little real information. The problem with moisture and damp is not only from outside but mostly from the ground. With cement this moisture is trapped in the wall. The second problem with cement around and over stones or old bricks is that cement mortars are harder than the stone so the natural movement of the house starts to destroy the stone or brick. Lime mortars self sacrifice them selves to prevent everything else from getting cracked. It depends on the climate but 18 months is never enough to test something in construction. Another video 10/15 years later will be really helpful.

[@projectportugal]

On it

[@deborahwhite2339]

The green house looks good now. I like the re use features. 🙂👍👍👍👍

[@19bigred55]

I am in total agreement with the cement pointing as well as render also plastizer is very important. The problem is the older Portuguese allowed to much water in through bad roofs rotting lintels , window and door frames and no gutters or overhangs letting the water run straight down the walls and into the footings (Or lack of) getting the interior floors wet and most of them having only earthen floors or just tile laid on the ground they never dried. Like you said don't let the water in and you don't have to worry as much about getting rid of the moisture. Great job on the videos. I am going to start looking Spring/Early Summer for a place there. Keep up the good work!!!

[@lindagage7315]

You make sense! Well done

[@ValterPaco]

Abraço de Braga ! ♫♪

[@pinheirokde]

Different strategies, they both can work, from a work application perspective cement mortar is much nicer, but gives you that blueish look (you can do it with white cement for a better look but its kinda expensive). Lime is more permeable and blends more "naturally". but requires a lot of attention to prevent walls from direct rain on them. (not that traditional cement mortar is much better) Note most of the damp in houses comes from the natural foundations being soaked and no french drainage.

[@lynnbittner5190]

Thank you that was very interesting! Green house looking great...enjoying your videos 😍

[@josemanueldacostadiogo5574]

Hi, as all ways good tip's good job carry om good weekend all the best to all.

[@riverriverbent5318]

thank you Nick, you're a great teacher👏

[@barbararoman2945]

Great advice. You keep on smashing it!

[@susannah1948]

Lovely shelving !!!

[@jasonwincelowicz146]

Love your videos they are very informative. I currently live in Portugal and we bought a home here and moved in this last Monday. We have a unique shower with a granite wall. We have a mildew smell in it and you can tell it has things growing on the granite wall. We do need to figure out ventilation for the bathroom. I believed the stone needs to breathe and release the moisture, but in this case would it be better to seal the granite so the water will drip off the stone better after a shower?

[@musicg1696]

Thanks Nick, always great videos!

[@bertiew6771]

Brilliant as always, Nick.

[@stephanie2053]

Excellent and thorough explanation. A well reasoned argument. Was lime mix used in UK stone building as well? Seems the damp issue would have been magnified there.

[@adbc8737]

Thanks for these videos… 🌀💚🌀

[@alybridgwater3282]

Lime or cement it just depends what your house is made of and where you live and lot of the problem people have with damp in there houses they don't air it enough your old school got your windows in the right place so no moisture is hanging about and a good roof

[@dancingwithbears9015]

YOU were doing a GREAT job clearing the land Andrea (don't thinkI didn't see you) Beautiful teaching today Nick, Thanks. As always lovely 🥰

[@DavidPaulNewtonScott]

I am with you on the cement I lived in a brick house with lime cemented walls and what I liked was it breathed in the true sense CO2 diffused out through the walls and oxygen in. With a stone building like my house in Grocinas this is an absurd idea. I am considering drilling holes in the walls 45 degrees downwards to the outside to let gasses diffuse through. I will put 1/4 inch plastic tubes in so that if moisture forms it will drain out. Off to the Philippines in a couple of weeks to start building my philippino house first.

[@allenemery4665]

It’s grub not junk Nick!! I agree totally cement mortar is the way

[@ourlifeinportugal]

so u could make the rocks water resistant without the plaster also right. impregnate with somesort of watery glue

[@DavidPaulNewtonScott]

If you have a compost bin in the greenhouse you will get extra CO2 for your plants.

[@nickytanton107]

this seems like a great idea

[@coastalcottagewales8688]

You shouldn't use cement on stone as it is too hard and will eventually trap moisture which will in time make your house very wet and cold , lime is sacrificial and should be used to avoid the stones from spalling (blowing the face off), having done much research on this and having purchased a property in wales I spent 3 months removing the cement strap pointing and have replaced with original lime, now starting to remove the gypsum cement from internal walls and replacing once again with lime therefore allowing the building to breath both inside and out (also stops condensation build up on internal walls as cement is cold and a wet wall is colder), please see UK heritage and check out "mike wye lime plaster" on youtube videos before you continue as I don't want to see you having to remove this in 10 years due to problems, its very hard work. Good luck

[@projectportugal]

We'll see in 10 years, as I stated you need good ventilation to stop damp inside, not 'Breathable walls' my own opinion which I clearly stated in the video, is based on decades of my own experience in construction

[@MiddleEarths]

U r right. Core Conservation is a great channel. Has many videos on this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJjbnXahoJ2an7M

[@themountain9900]

​@@projectportugal I'll take 1000's if building history vs your decades in cement lol

[@roelienrudijansevanrensbur4172]

Awesome discussion always wanted to know if the true believers will then use Lime on the Granite surfaces and cement on the bricks....thnx for the insight

[@ourlifeinportugal]

good lesson 👌

[@steveg8549]

Contraction and expansion Cement will fail no doubt about it and it does take on water I guarantee you it does and it holds on to the water unlike lime. Your missing a key point if you have lime mortar joints then unless you take out all the lime and start with cement …. Covering lime with cement will contract and shrink leading up to cement cracking.

[@projectportugal]

Not seen it yet😁

[@francoisbosman7253]

Dont agree

[@steveg8549]

@@projectportugal you will I will put a big bet on with you 😊👍

[@projectportugal]

@@steveg8549 I would like to but I don't think I'll be alive in 3 to 4 hundred years time🤣🤣🤣

[@destino2portugal]

It's funny eh, we are both from Cornwall, built on granite from granite and when I started there was none of what I call "The great lime swindle" and I've watched these nefarious companies spring up and fleecing customers with tall tales of breathing walls, movement and sustainability, only for us to have to go and rectify the problems when their houses are damp and moldy. But hey, what would we know in comparison to some chap on KZbin who learnt his craft on a 30 minute video on KZbin 🤦‍♂️ This might lose you some subs Nicholas but you've gained one here amigo, I thank you for your integrity and knowledge.

[@F-J.]

I agree with you 100% about the lime / cement argument.

[@davidbeck9979]

Great video

[@sheilaandersen8710]

Hi Nick and Angie! Enjoying your videos! Saw you on Indie Projects, OK Portugal, and Cindy Vine's KZbin channels. So glad you have your own. Great idea with the green house! How did you attach the door frame top to the metal cross bar inside? And, how did you attach the rolled up door to the top? Love seeing the projects! And love how you help others! Much affection to you both from across the Atlantic.

[@projectportugal]

Just tied with wire

[@user-cu7zi6pu6w]

Sounds sensible. Thank you. Can you also address any damp that comes up from the ground, ie: no foundation, ie: granite stones on compacted earth? That's a big argument for lime - because the damp comes UP, the walls have to breathe to get it OUT. That's what they say. What do you say, Nick? Thanks!

[@projectportugal]

Video coming soon

[@ingevansand9180]

Yes please, and also about the chemical reaction of the cement on softer stone please

[@user-cu7zi6pu6w]

@@projectportugal Excellent - Love your channel, Nick.

[@brendamccrite3038]

Love watching!

[@francoisbosman7253]

Nick i just loved your video about cement v lime ! When i watch some of the other shows where people rave about using lime as mortar i shiver in my boots have been in the building trade for over 45 years cement has proven itself to be the answer !

[@temmv3783]

Love it when you start using little things called facts to back up your opinion. Fantastic save on the greenhouse!

[@deranocasper]

Hello Nick please can you tell me what products like Sika mix plus plasticiser and other Sika products you can advise for house restoration cheers much appreciated

[@projectportugal]

I'd go for the everbuild plasterciser and everbuild rendermix, both top products super concentrated

[@deranocasper]

@@projectportugal very good Nick thank you

[@deranocasper]

@@projectportugal Hello Nick are you in need of any thing i can bring everbuild with me for you??

[@Neilhuny]

I just wrote a long comment disagreeing with you but scrubbed it! In short: over a long time (100 yrs plus) lime would be better imo

[@areawai12354]

What do you think of Hydraulic Lime (Cal Hidraulica HL5) instead of portland cement?

[@projectportugal]

Most lime acts the same, mostly🤔😆

[@themountain9900]

This guy has a fundamental misunderstanding on how lime functions please disregard his advice

[@murdomacinnes6176]

Great common sense video - what does the job is best for the job - and good pointing looks the part whether lime or cement mix

[@ianhemingway5687]

'see how much better my freshly installed cement is holding up better than the hundred year old original?' Pull the other one, mate.

[@projectportugal]

There is no lime used in our farm, or any in this area, simply because there is no limestone in this area, I'm sure that all those years ago when the granite buildings were put up in this area that they didn't import lime from hundreds of kilometres away, surely they would have used locally available material like clay.😁 which is what was originally used to consolidate the stones on our Farmhouse

[@miroslavalewandowski7434]

Schöne Grüße. 🙂

[@projectportugal]

Danke schön

[@cecilianobrega9796]

1 lime + 1/2 cement + 4 sand, Mister.

[@mariadange06]

Hurrah you have widened the screen to full screen 😅

[@TotaCasaNostra-hv5fw]

Building is on the rock or on the dirt? Does it has horizontal hydro insulation?

[@projectportugal]

It is built on rock

[@TotaCasaNostra-hv5fw]

@@projectportugal that's make a huge difference. Normally houses in Europe aren't and people in old houses are having problems living in a damp houses.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

👍😎

[@501jamir]

Im 61 yold and im learning everyday about lime here in Portugal in 40 and 50ties used lime in the walls i lived in a house like that 30 years late the walls are crumbling into dust cement and sand in the right measures lasts forever!!I apreciate alot what you both are doing here in my country you have a good heart!!! strengh from LISBON