Guides

Plain-English answers to the questions people ask before they call a firm. Every fact links to its source.

• Damp in an old solid-walled house

  The usual causes of damp in pre-1919 homes, why rising damp is often misdiagnosed, and why a retrofit damp-proof course is rarely the answer.

  Updated 15/10/2026, 3 sources

• Lime or cement on old walls?

  Why old buildings are usually repaired with lime, what can go wrong with cement render and pointing, and when listed building consent is needed.

  Updated 15/10/2026, 5 sources

• Lime render, lime plaster and limewash

  How to tell lime render from cement, whether to strip cement render, and why lime plaster and limewash suit old solid walls inside and out.

  Updated 15/10/2026, 5 sources

• Repointing old brick and stone walls with lime

  When an old wall really needs repointing, why the mortar should be softer than the brick or stone, and what good lime pointing looks like.

  Updated 15/10/2026, 4 sources