Repair Systems — 03 — Facade & External Envelope
Lime putty gauged repointing mortar
Supplier reference for lime putty gauged repointing mortar — the softest and most breathable repointing mortar available — reserved for very soft, friable pre-1920s historic masonry on Class 2 strata building facades where any hydraulic binder would cause brick face spalling. Mix proportions must be specified by a heritage specialist. Compares Limemortar.com.au, Remmers, and specialist heritage lime suppliers.
What is lime putty gauged repointing mortar?
Lime putty gauged repointing mortar is a completely non-hydraulic mortar made from slaked lime putty and fine aggregate — typically mixed at 1:2.5 to 1:3 lime putty to sharp washed sand by volume. It is the softest and most breathable repointing mortar available, reserved for very soft, friable historic brick or sandstone masonry where any hydraulic binder would cause face spalling or moisture damage.
Product Reference
3 products — 3 suppliers — lime putty gauged repointing mortars — scroll to view all
Limemortar.com.au — Lime Putty Gauged Repointing Mortar
Lime putty gauged repointing mortar — specialist supply — Limemortar.com.au
System Description
Limemortar.com.au is an Australian specialist heritage lime supplier offering slaked lime putty and custom aggregate supply for gauged repointing mortar on very soft, friable historic masonry on Class 2 buildings. Lime putty mortars are completely non-hydraulic and are the softest and most breathable option available — reserved for very soft, mechanically weak historic brick or sandstone where any hydraulic binder would cause damage. The specialist will confirm the lime putty source, aggregate type, colour, and grading matched to the original mortar, and provide a mix specification and application guide. Confirm current product range, lead times, and state delivery availability with Limemortar.com.au before specifying. Lime putty mortar requires an experienced lime contractor — poor application will compromise durability.
Technical Properties
- Slaked lime putty binder — non-hydraulic — compressive strength 0.5–2.5 MPa — softest available repointing material
- Very high vapour permeability — maximum breathability — critical for managing rising or lateral damp in lime-mortar masonry
- Custom aggregate blend — aggregate type, colour and grading matched to original mortar by specialist
Limitations
- Lowest compressive strength of all repointing options — not suitable for high-exposure, wind-driven rain locations without hydraulic additive
- Longest cure time — initial strength takes weeks to months to develop via carbonation; protect from frost, rain and mechanical loading
- Specialist supply — longer lead times and higher cost than standard pre-blended products
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Remmers Heritage Lime Mortar / Calcestruzzo
Lime putty / heritage lime mortar — Remmers Australia — pre-mixed specialist range
System Description
Remmers Australia offers a specialist heritage masonry mortar range including lime putty compatible and pre-mixed heritage lime mortars for repointing very soft, friable historic masonry on Class 2 heritage buildings. Remmers products are widely specified for significant heritage masonry remediation in Europe and are supplied through Australian distribution. Confirm current product code, mix type, and state availability with Remmers Australia before specifying — the heritage masonry range may include both pre-mixed lime mortar and mortar mineral colour pigment systems for aggregate and colour matching. Remmers technical support can advise on the appropriate product for the substrate and heritage authority requirements.
Technical Properties
- Lime putty / NHL binder options — softest available to moderately breathable — confirm specific product binder type with Remmers before specifying
- Breathable mortar — high vapour permeability — suitable for management of moisture in historic lime-mortar masonry
- Pre-mixed heritage lime mortar range — consistent formulation and quality control — reduces site mixing error
Limitations
- Confirm specific product type and binder with Remmers — the heritage masonry range covers a range of binder types and strength classes
- Confirm current Australian product availability and distribution — Remmers product codes and ranges change
- Specialist masonry product — may have longer lead times than standard trade mortar products
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Local Heritage Lime Specialist — Custom Lime Putty Gauged Mortar
Lime putty gauged repointing mortar — local heritage specialist — full analysis service
System Description
A local heritage lime specialist provides a full mortar analysis and specification service for lime putty gauged repointing on heritage Class 2 buildings where heritage authority oversight is required. This includes: mortar sampling and petrographic analysis of original fabric, lime putty source and aggregate selection, trial panel commissioning and assessment, application specification, and contractor selection and supervision. This level of service is required for State Heritage Register or local heritage conservation area buildings where the heritage authority requires documented material compatibility and a demonstrated trial panel. Confirm local heritage lime specialists operating in your state — they operate across major Australian states but availability, qualifications, and lead times vary. Engage the specialist early in the remediation design phase.
Technical Properties
- Slaked lime putty binder — non-hydraulic — compressive strength 0.5–2.5 MPa — confirmed by mortar analysis and specialist specification
- Full petrographic analysis of original mortar — aggregate type, grading, colour, and binder type identified before mix specification
- Custom aggregate blend — precisely matched to original mortar colour, texture and grading for significant heritage buildings
Limitations
- Longest lead time and highest cost of all lime mortar options — analysis, custom blending, and trial panel add significant time and cost
- Heritage authority may require specific accreditation of the specialist and documentation of all stages of the specification process
- Availability varies by state — confirm specialist availability before commencing design or tendering
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of lime putty gauged repointing mortar suppliers. Confirm all product selections against the current manufacturer TDS before specifying.
| Supplier | Product | Distribution | Binder | Strength | Key feature | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limemortar.com.au | Lime putty + custom aggregate | Specialist (national) | Lime putty | 0.5–2.5 MPa | Specialist supply, aggregate matched | Very soft / friable historic brick |
| Remmers Australia | Remmers heritage lime mortar | National (distributor) | Lime putty / NHL (confirm) | Confirm with Remmers | Pre-mixed heritage range, colour pigments | Significant heritage masonry |
| Local heritage specialist | Custom lime putty gauged | State-based specialist | Lime putty | 0.5–2.5 MPa | Full analysis, trial panel, authority spec | State Heritage Register buildings |
Do not confuse lime putty mortar with:
- NHL 3.5 natural hydraulic lime mortar — feebly hydraulic, harder than lime putty (2–7 MPa) — more suitable for soft historic brick where exposure conditions require hydraulic strength — listed on the NHL 3.5 mortar page
- NHL 5.0 natural hydraulic lime mortar — eminently hydraulic, stronger grade (5–15 MPa) — for moderately hard brick and exposed parapets — listed on the NHL 5.0 mortar page
- GP cement + hydrated lime mortar — a cement-based mortar — significantly harder than lime putty — will cause brick face spalling on soft historic masonry
- Pre-mixed masonry cement mortar — contains Portland cement — not compatible with soft historic brick
- Polymer-modified cement mortar — high-bond cement product — not suitable for heritage soft brick masonry
Disclaimer
This page provides general technical information only. Lime putty gauged mortar specification requires a heritage specialist — mix proportions, aggregate selection and compatibility with existing masonry must be confirmed by a qualified specialist with heritage masonry experience. Heritage authority approval may be required. Supplier availability and lead times vary — confirm before specifying.