Lime Mortar
Lime mortar is the best construction mortar for use in pre 1919 buildings as building then was not constructed so rigidly then as now. Lime mortar is more pliable than cement and allows for the expansion and contraction of stone. Lime mortar also allows the movement of water and water vapour by drawing out ingressed liquid or vapour from stonework which is of huge advantage in damp climates such as ours here in Ireland. Skill and experience are vital in the use of lime mortars. Lime mortar is now increasingly used in new build stonework as damage may be caused using standard cement products to traditional construction and repair techniques.
Stonework built with lime mortar also allows the settlement of the structure without cracking of the stone or building structures during the settlement period, and for a long period of time the lime mortar remains somewhat pliable, allowing for further settlement.
Prior to 1930 all stonework was constructed using lime mortar and these structures are now hold significant heritage value and require specialist restorative stone masonry to maintain and reconstruct them.
When we undertake restorative lime mortar projects, we sample the materials previously used on the structure and base our lime mortar mix specifically to the structure in question.
Lime mortar also known as Natural Lime Mortar is made with various proportions of sand and lime, lime being the binding agent. Two basic types of Lime mortar are used mainly: Hydraulic Lime Mortar and Non-Hydraulic Lime Mortar. The main difference being that Non-Hydraulic Lime Mortar takes a long time to set from a basic set to a full set, Hydraulic Lime Mortar has three categories of setting times, all of which are quicker than Non Hydraulic Lime Mortar.
Dry Stone Specialists
Dry stone construction is the practice of building using stone only, without any mortar. Stones are placed together in a way that they can form strong and durable walls. A well-built dry-stone wall can be as strong as a mortared stone wall, yet at the same time flexible enough to adapt to its environment. Dry stone walls require minimal maintenance, are self-draining and are less liable to damage from frost and subsidence.
PDH Stone Masonry and Restoration use a variety of stone in the construction of house facades, estate walls and ditch walls. The stone we use includes Liscannor Moher, Liscannor Lough, Quartz, Limestone and Sandstone. Each type of stone has its own unique beauty, Liscannor comes from the Cliffs of Mohar and so is a unique and extremely hard-wearing stone. Liscannor Lough is typically blue grey with some shades of brown, it is also a hard and durable stone. Quartz is a natural building stone and typically comes in grey and brown tones, it a durable stone and dense in nature, meaning that it is a very hard-wearing stone. Limestone is typically a grey blue colour and is a low maintenance and long-life stone. Limestone is easily worked and weathers very well. Sandstone, depending on the mix of rock fragments, may have a wide range of colours from white to nearly black, grey, brown or red, this type of stone is full of character. Sandstone is recognized for its natural strength, durability, and slip-resistant properties. This stone can withstand the harshest climates, increasing in value and aesthetic appeal over time.
Our signature at PDH Stone Masonry and Restoration is that we achieve the tightest joint finish possible, which is aesthetically pleasing, secures the integrity of the construction of the wall or fade and increases the durability of the structure.
We have cultivated excellent working relationships with the stone quarries that we use and always source and hand pick the best quality stone for our client’s projects.
Restoration
At PDH Stone Masonry and Restoration the restoration of old and worn stone is both an art and a science. We take pride in returning stone to its original glory. Our restoration practices will never compromise the integrity of the stone. All our work is completed professionally and on time.
We initially inspect wear patterns and damage to the stone, we take samples of the stone and mortar originally used and conduct a lab analysis to determine exactly , the original materials used in order to be precise in the diagnosis of the issues of the project at hand.
Grout joints are an excellent indicator of the state of the stone, the grout may be cracked or degraded and may require restoration, maintenance techniques will not help in such cases. Restoration is an intricate process and requires expert hands.
We do advise on the maintenance of our restoration work once the project is completed, to maintain the stone to the best quality possible for as long as possible.