Repointing a Stone Wall: Anyone can do it!

A basic tutorial on repointing a stone wall. No beer was lost and no person or historic structure was injured in the production of this presentation.
Historic masonry preservation requires a knowledge not widely known among contractors in general. Most will go to the nearest “big box” store, expecting to find everything they need for any project. The use of lime mortar doesn’t require any more skill than modern masonry. Just a bit of study to supplement the skill sets are all that is needed. The use of improper materials will often do irreversible damage to historic masonry.
Can’t wait to recommence burning my own lime again! It’s already shaping up to be a fantastic year.
*No member of the Hiraeth Restoration, LLC team(consisting solely of myself alone) drinks to excess. The only occasions for drinking anything stronger than well-steeped tea are in times of severe sickness for which a sip of brandy is sufficient. This is rare and occurs at most once every ten years.

[@HiraethRestorations]

Just for the record… I do not drink anything more intoxicating than a good old British cup of tea. This presentation is meant only as an illustration of the almost ridiculous simplicity of preserving historic masonry through some basic maintenance.

[@oechsnea]

Love it! The silent movie presentation style is fun. Learning a lot. Hope you make more videos soon.

[@HiraethRestorations]

I plan on sticking with TH-cam for awhile. Aiming for weekly presentations for now. Having even a handful of people that appreciate them makes the effort of putting these things together worthwhile. As the owner of a historic property yourself, you’re part of our specific “target audience”. I’m always looking for video ideas so feel free to ask questions or request info. Thanks again!

[@dzadza7775]

Wonderful. I've used lime for decades...watching your film warmed the cockles of my heart! I love living in cob houses with lime plaster, and thatch. In UK. Great to see elsewhere.

[@NikosDIY]

This is what I call a hidden gem!!!

[@DM-ft8lv]

This video is amazing.

[@michaeljamesdesign]

It's a great video but that mortar is far too wet. Workability is what we all want but if it's too wet then it's hard work and messy. It should be stiff on the trowel or hawk.

[@larsfars2070]

Just what i was looking for. So the mortar only seals the stone. Great facts. Charlie Chaplan would be proud of the story line!

[@kansasadventure1831]

I'm not mad about the video lol. Good work

[@johngreene3376]

What i find handy is using a hammer drill with a masonry bit with the hammer action, it roots clean through the joints, knocking out all the old lime mortar,i brush it dwn, wet the joints and den start repointing

[@MerlosTheMad]

lol that was great. im repointing an 1860s foundation and managed to find this gem xD

[@debbie21849]

What mix did you use? My old house is the same

[@oneworld1160]

Better to use an used cartidge for silikone or so, push out the plastic seal, fill it with mortar, put the seal back, cut the muzzle really short and press the mortar into the joints with a pistol.

[@barbadosslimful]

Does it matter the Stone type when considering mortar? I live in a central European country where I cannot source any NHL - only quicklime, however I've asked a handful of folks and everybody points to a different cement based product for repointing. I believe my basement needs to be repointed - however I would imagine the field stones in my basement are quite hard. When cement hardens I still think the rocks are harder (at least in my opinion). I can certainly see the benefit for 100 - 200 year old brick in areas with a high freeze/thaw cycle however where I live we maybe get a handful of freezing temperature days a year and not much rain compared to some UK areas (the country that predominantly posts videos concerning historic restoration and NHL usage).
I don't understand why cement based mortar is OK for newer produced bricks - yet they seem more brittle then field stone and/or older clay bricks. Any thoughts?

[@gary24752]

Have you ever had to deal with stone foundation walls that the owner had closed cell spray insulation applied to them and if so what were the problems besides the lime mortar disintegrating?

[@RATHER5KEPTICAL]

Interesting but I i couldn't make it through the sound track

[@HiraethRestorations]

I agree. My earliest videos still make me cringe. Can’t wait to delete them after I’m monetized and cover the subject more competently.

[@gattonpc]

The music it is so annoying.

[@shannonstewart-coffelt6114]

we have an 1835 stone farmhouse and the stucco is failing in spots, we are trying to figure out if we should take it down and point the stone or repair/replace the stucco?

[@soundbwoikilla764]

To answer this you have to first figure out why the stucco is falling off, usually water is the cause by getting behind the stucco either from the underlying stone or from above somewhere. If the mortar between the stones is failing where the stucco has fallen off, you have a water problem.

[@djl5424]

Superb

[@jimcorn3268]

Are you this lime mortar or portland mortar?

[@merlinwizard1000]

13th, 24 October 2023

[@user-uq3un6yh1l]

😂😂😂

[@Juljularchaeo]

This music is awfulllllll

[@HiraethRestorations]

lol. I know. The music sucks but the entire video is kind of weak. Hopefully, I’m getting a bit better with practice.