Lime Pointing Information   Old buildings are built using a simple mix of lime and sand, this has been used for as far back as building can take us. The Egyptians, the Romans and nearly all countries have used the natural product of lime to either build or to be used in the application of decorative finishes used in painted walls and cielings. This natural product is the best thing that can used for a building, it allows the walls to breathe preventing moisture to build up and allowing to escape throught the lime mortar. It can allow any salts that are present in the ground or in the building material to migrate to the mortar which can then be removed and new mortar applied. Also during the differing temperatures and weather, a building will expand and contract, if lime has been used then this will move and flex with the building. If in a lot of case's that a building has been repointed in cement then this will not flex and inturn cause cracking alowing moisture to enter the fabric of the building.  Examples of brickwork that requires lime pointing.                   Examples of unsuitable pointing. This pointing has recently been carried out in cement which has not been brushed back and a poor choice in sand colour.      This is called ribbon pointing and has been carried out in a very hard cement. Its a very common style which can be seen all over the UK.