Stone walling repair, how to repoint natural stone walling using lime mortars. DIY stone pointing

Repairing stone walls can be a minefield to the novice, and can look awful if you attack it without some basic knowledge. Here I will show you how to repoint natural stone walls, making a stone wall repair within everyone’s reach. I talk about lime mortar, and why you should choose lime mortar for most stonework, as well as explaining how to think about things like which mortar mix to use and how to apply new pointing to stone walls.
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[@torque8899]

Just watched 12 other videos on pointing stone walls without learning much an this one tells me everything I needed to know.

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Thank you so much!

[@paoemantega8793]

same here :)

[@waltlind1104]

A Craftsman. Nice to see people who take pride in their work.

[@christopherdavies7213]

Thanks so much for making this video: good to see you actually working, in real time, on a real wall. Helpful advice - I am about to undertake some minor repairs myself.

[@chrisj7663]

An excellent tutorial that covers all aspects of the task. Thanks VERY much !

[@brett1995]

What an amazing teacher so well explained 👏

[@ianlaccohee7180]

Great video, thank you. I’ve just bought a house with a stone perimeter wall, that needs some tlc. I knew I would need lime mortar, but now I know the 3 stages I need to go through. Now all I need to do is draw on all of my patients.

[@nursingzombie6479]

Very good, thoroughly explained topics. I have a sandstone wall im redoing that is actually falling apart in certain sections. Looks like i will have to rebuild it in certain spots, but this helps quite a bit. Cheers

[@outsidethebox5713]

Thanks, just the advice I was needing for my front wall.

[@SelfSufficientHub]

So glad it was helpful 😊

[@stevensokulsky1915]

Awesome, can't wait to start work

[@lp472]

Excellent video. Thank you!!

[@geoffanddebshipton6797]

This was so interesting Carl! Didn’t realise how the mortar could affect the stone. Certainly explains some of the failures in walls that we have seen. Handy information because where we hope to move to there are a lot of properties which have stone walls/fencing and it would be good to have a go at repointing ourselves.

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Thanks. I tried to condense a couple of decades of learned information into a few minutes so hope it was all simple to follow.

[@geoffanddebshipton6797]

@@SelfSufficientHub it was! We certainly know more than we did and it gives us a starting point, should we ever need it. That said, you made that look so easy that we just know there’s years of experience and hard earned knowledge behind that ease. 😉 Thanks for being generous enough to share it. Perhaps some of the other skills you have acquired as a building that transfer to homesteading and DIY could be the subject of a series of little ‘how tos’ at some stage - a bit like your foraging and cooking ones. You have done some, we know, but to build on that would be awesome!

[@SelfSufficientHub]

@@geoffanddebshipton6797 sounds like a plan! As always, your encouragement is appreciated 😊

[@gardenerstale]

Really enjoyed watching this lots of fantastic information on stone walling and can see you are a real crafts man with this! Down in Hampshire I see flint walls everywhere that are missing flints and the mortar has fallen out could do with your expertise here fixing them all 😂👍

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Haha, yes it’s a real craft. Lots of bricklayers lever learn how to lay natural stone properly.

[@gardenerstale]

@@SelfSufficientHub It certainly is which I hope doesn't die out as I have seen some really awful stone wall repairs that crumbled after a few years. It's really interesting on the science behind it keep up the good work! 👍

[@peterridding4874]

I enjoyed that ! Thank you . I’m immersing myself in lime and limework due to my cottage renovation project and the subject of which type of lime to use . It’s pretty baffling to be honest ! So many different opinions so it’s pretty difficult to get a handle on it . Thanks anyway

[@SelfSufficientHub]

You’re very welcome, hope it helped!

[@adamrobinson2696]

Excellent video, I sure would like to work with this guy!

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Thank you sir 😊

[@markymark9176]

Brilliant just the info needed.

[@SelfSufficientHub]

So glad you found it helpful

[@Lemma01]

Thank you - very useful.

[@SelfSufficientHub]

You’re welcome! Thanks for commenting 👍

[@tonybr2469]

Thanks for the info

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Very welcome 😊👍

[@antipodeanvagabond]

Great video. Would you make a video showing how you mix the lime mortar and explaining the recipes?

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Thanks, I’ll add this to my to do list when the opportunity presents itself 👍

[@keithrintala7367]

Great! Thank you….

[@paullyon3760]

Fantastic.

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Thank you Paul

[@1705louloutte]

Very interesting

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Thanks

[@benbryant4321]

Great video. What type of sand did you use in the mix?

[@AnthonyLeighDunstan]

Love your style mate. Subbed. I’m looking at rural property in Transylvania, Romania. I’m fairly keen on a place that has a natural stone foundation (looks to be limestone - it’s coming for the area). There are some cracked stones and even a gap where a stone is no more. I’m not sure if it’s happened over time (built in the 60’s) or because the new mortar they used was too strong for the stone. Otherwise it looks very stable. Is it worth investing/repairable? If so, what ratio would you suggest for limestone?

[@andrewhelmer7710]

could you please tell what mix you would recommend for repointing slate stone work on houses ? Also if you would recommend a rendering mix for rendering slate stone work exposed to extreme wet weather conditions. Thank you

[@pitbak5129]

I have a question here. Is a limestone still good to rebuild a wall after so many years it settled down in a ground? I have to mansion that the stone itself chipping off when dry and some of them are sinked with water inside and split on a half.

[@dalekbbcfan1582]

Thankyoooo

[@Carterironworks]

Great video sir very informative. I know the video is several months old so you may not answer. Is there a way to get a rough estimate on how much lime you will need for a wall?

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Thanks. Well it does kinda depend but I would expect one bag (approx 25kg) to do somewhere between 4-20 square metres depending on the mix used and the size of the joints..

[@patrickgriffin3608]

Great video thanks, what kind of mix would i need for granite stone walls?? Thanks

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Granite should cope with any mix you would want to use. I would try a few and choose by colour in this case.

[@patrickgriffin3608]

@@SelfSufficientHub thank you, much appreciated

[@joshualindley2756]

Hi mate great video, after a bit of advice I have a large stone repointing job that I will be doing soon and could do with some advise in relation to the mix. I know to use nhl 3.5 lime but don’t know what ratio. Am I able to use normal building sand for the mix? Furthermore some of the joints/ gaps on the stone are quite large around 40-50mm would it be an idea to mix any grit sand into the mix? The stone is of a medium density. Thanks, Josh.

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Hi Josh, yes some sharp sand would defo a be advisable with large joints like that to reduce cracking. I would use three parts sand to one part hydraulic lime. I would probably use one part building sand and two parts grit sand to make up the sand element. Hope that helps

[@joshualindley2756]

@@SelfSufficientHub thanks!👍

[@pamwalker7823]

Hi there. Thanks for taking the time to show your work. I am doing a pointing repair on an old medium density yellow sandstone wall about 110 years old but it’s quite exposed to the elements so.. When would I use nhl 2 , 3.5 & 5 lime ? I got all 3 in bags from a traditional building suppliers as well as sharp grit sand and granite dust. What will the granite dust do to the mix and the strength of my project and how much should I use in the mix. ? Any pointers would be much welcome.

[@SelfSufficientHub]

I would be using 3.5 in this situation I’m fairly certain. The stone would need to be extremely soft for me to consider 2, and as for 5, no chance with the stone you describe. WRT granite dust, this will be mostly for colour/texture of finish and to match existing pointing I suspect.

[@pamwalker7823]

@@SelfSufficientHub Thankyou for replying. There are harder stones used throughout the property grounds external walls so got nhl 5 for those as they are going to beexposed to a lot of rain and cold wind,snow etc however I bought 3.5 for the internal front door arches which need repointing to the stone arch which is the sandstone I mentioned around the stout wooden frame but I’m not sure what sand to use ie sharp grit sieved out and nhl 3.5 as it’s a seal which is around the main front and back door which looks like something out of game of thrones and I want it to be as original as possible to what’s there which looks fine grained and light mortar on the back and a lighter mortar on the front so the repointing before was obviously a different tradesman. I have a mortar gun to get to the farthest reaches of the frame but don’t know if this is possible with lime mortar till I try it but have to get the mix just right for viscosity and strength and if it’s even possible in one of those mortar guns. I believe in doing the job as they would have back in 1890 but it could get messy on an arch hence the mortar gun but I’m trying to research castle masons and how they used to do it which is a task in itself but I’m ever inquisitive and love learning these new techniques thanks to good people like yourself. Any pointers ?

[@SelfSufficientHub]

@@pamwalker7823 firstly on sand. Definitely use a sharp sand in the mix. I thought that’s what you said in your original comment which lead me to my answer on the granite dust. The granite can be used to make the softer sand sharper. Basically you want some form of grit as with any natural stonework you will have areas of larger pointing. Anything over 35mm is definitely prone to too much shrinkage etc if not integrating some grit. The grit basically means the mortar will perform more like a smaller version of concrete. WRT the mortar gun, I have found these to be impossible to use with anything less than very fins sand so there isn’t a mix that would be suitable for both the house and the gun unfortunately. I would recommend simply using two trowels as I do in the video and squeezing mortar in until it starts coming round the edge of the smaller trowel as you push. Start at the bottom and work up.

[@pamwalker7823]

@@SelfSufficientHub thanks again. I pointed the outside wall today after building it last week and it looks perfect so happy days and will try and use a muddy water on it once it’s set a bit stronger later next month. The granite was for an area that had it in the pointing as it looks blue coloured in spots hence the granite and I heard it sets the mix off quicker before the cold sets in but have not entertained that yet. I understand on the mortar gun side of things. I don’t want to compromise strength as it will need a lot more water to squeeze it through the nozzle which renders that tool useless in many respects but there is a subsidence crack spanning the car park area by the water run off weep hole so will need a sloppy mix of cement to penetrate all the way down or I was going to try a resin but it will cost a lot as there is a crack about 20 metres long where the car park has sunk about 10mm due to heavy loaded trucks, saplings in the crack growing and also a truck hit a pier at the entrance which all caused this domino effect. Do you recommend a load of Resin or cement mix slushy then a harder cement mix to pack and grab finished off with lime pointing ? Thankyou so much for getting back to me. I really appreciate your help. R.e arch door frame. I will do as you said 👍 but what mix and type of sand and lime ? It almost looks like there is no grit in the pointing around the arch doorframe. Looks like rendering sand but I’m not sure till I excavate it.

[@SelfSufficientHub]

@@pamwalker7823 I can’t really comment on the big crack without seeing it. WRT mix around the door I would probably go for a simple 3 parts sharp sand to one part lime (3.5) mix.

[@biggjakers]

Hi mate do you have an email im going to be doing some repointing on my house and could with some help idenifying the mortar which was used i can send you some pics thanks.

[@mikethecaveman90]

Interesting

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Thanks Mike

[@mikethecaveman90]

@@SelfSufficientHub your welcome much love xoxox

[@adelkandil4069]

Hi mate hope you all well I really need to get in contact with you just for an advice would be much appreciated

[@playingwithdata]

Thanks for the video. Always interesting to gather another view on how to go about stone walling from a practised hand. Quick question if you have time: I've got a lot of lime mortar repointing to do around my garden. This will inevitably produce a lot of fallen mortar waste. My instinct is that this can simply be gathered as best I can, crushed up and then be used as a kind of lime sand soil amendment rather than needing to be carted to the tip. Am I wrong in this thinking?

[@SelfSufficientHub]

No - you can definitely use it to raise PH levels just like garden lime, it is a different product though and it will be stronger than regular garden lime

[@playingwithdata]

@@SelfSufficientHub Cheers. Yeah, I'd assumed from the effect of working with the stuff on my hands that I'd have to keep the usage down to light surface dustings rather than the handfuls of garden lime you see chucked in planting holes!

[@martingaynor5017]

it's limestone sir no no no not the wire brush. it should be tamped.with a churn brush to compact it into the joints. why have you no aggregate in your mortar and your mix is far too soft. it should be 2.5 sand to 1 hydraulic . and you didn't dampen the substrate pal. only my opinion though pal

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Thanks 👍

[@shaibya1981]

🙏🏼

[@SelfSufficientHub]

😊👍

[@paulclements9157]

Hi mate is stone walls repair your business - I see you are local in Dorset

[@tonybr2469]

Hi my names tony what kind of money are we talking per square metre of stone walling I live in Staffordshire I’m retired now but I’ve been pointing for nearly forty years mostly Victorian red rubbers and yellow stocks I found out the hard way about mixes of muck we were taught a 3in 1mix for pointing and maybe fairy liquid as a plasticiser hahaha but that’s how it was in the day then feb mix came along anyway what ratios do you use I know it depends on what your pointing and I’m glad your passionate about that and rightly so basically I’m bored so I want to get back into it I welcome your support I’m 67 and have cancer but I can still use a trowel ps I’m not begging for work I’ve done my bit but I’m still able if you no what I mean hehe 😜

[@SelfSufficientHub]

Hi Tony, I’m not really sure as I charge per job and they are all so different. I just work for myself and only do small jobs- and not just this type of thing, one week I’m pointing, next week I’m fencing or plastering or roofing…. I live in the southwest Uk so location also changes price. I know in London you’d probably be looking at paying £300 per day for a decent tradesman, where I am it’s more like £200. Hope this helps

[@VINTERIUM..EXPLORIUM.1]

,👍

[@klintflick]

When did Bryan Cranston start repointing old stone?

[@Stonerestorationsoutheast]

Rough

[@SelfSufficientHub]

If you mean the stonework yea I agree

[@Stonerestorationsoutheast]

Trying to polish a turd! Needs taking down and starting fresh. I know it cost money but it’s such a shame that the wall is such a mess !!

[@SelfSufficientHub]

@@Stonerestorationsoutheast I couldn’t agree more. It was not in my hands to make the decision unfortunately. I basically say what you write almost word for word in the video lol

[@uksurfer2505]

Bloody adverts !!!!