Pointing

Why You Shouldn’t Use Cement on Old Brickwork

– A Quick Guide from Hollis Design

If you’ve got a period property - especially anything built before the 1930s - it was probably

built with lime mortar, not cement. And when it comes time to repoint the brickwork, using

cement can cause more harm than good.

1. Old Walls Need to Breathe

Lime mortar is soft and breathable, designed to move with the building and let moisture

escape. Cement is hard and waterproof. When you repoint with cement, moisture gets

trapped - and that leads to damp, mould, and decay inside your walls.

2. Cement Damages Bricks and Stone

Lime was always meant to be the weaker, more forgiving part of the wall - not the bricks or

stone. Cement’s too hard, so instead of the mortar failing, the masonry does.

Just look at the photos below - you’ll see examples of cracked stonework and faces of

bricks delaminating because the cement couldn’t flex or breathe.

3. It Works Against the Building, Not With It

Traditional buildings flex and shift slightly over time. Lime moves with the structure. Cement

resists - and that’s what causes those cracks you see spreading through the wall.

4. Lime Lasts Longer (and Looks Better)

When done properly, lime repointing can last over a hundred years. It’s also easier to

maintain and keeps your home’s character intact.

The Takeaway

If your home was built with lime, stick with lime. Cement might seem like a quick fix, but it

can do serious long-term damage.

At Hollis Design, we know how to get it right - respecting the building’s history while

keeping it solid for the future.

Take a look at the damage in the photos below - and if you’re not sure what your

house needs, get in touch. We’re always happy to help.