Need Any Help?
Need Any Help?
In Hampstead Garden Suburb, the quality of masonry pointing is a matter of architectural preservation. The HGS Trust maintains strict control over the appearance and composition of mortar joints to protect the “Arts and Crafts” aesthetic of the area. Using modern cement for repointing in the Suburb is not only a violation of the Scheme of Management, but it can also cause permanent structural damage to the historic bricks.
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Most properties in the Suburb were constructed using soft red rubbers or yellow London Stock bricks. These were designed to be used with Natural Hydraulic Lime (NHL) mortar.
Lime mortar allows moisture to evaporate through the joints. Cement seals the joints, forcing moisture into the bricks and causing "spalling" (the faces of the bricks shattering).
The Suburb’s buildings need to move slightly with the ground. Lime mortar is flexible and prevents the bricks from cracking under stress.
Cement creates a harsh, cold finish. Our lime mortars are mixed with specific sands to recreate the warm, textured "putty" look original to the Suburb.
We provide a full “rake out and repoint” service. We remove failing mortar to a depth of 20mm and replace it with a bespoke NHL lime mix. We match the original color and texture of your specific street to ensure the work is indistinguishable from the original.
For the more formal residences in Central Square or the Northway/Southway areas, we offer traditional Tuck Pointing. This highly skilled technique involves a colored base mortar finished with a fine white “ribbon,” giving the facade a sharp, geometric perfection.
We carefully replicate the specific joint profiles required by the HGS Trust. Whether your property requires a Flush joint (common in the earlier cottages) or a Weather Struck profile to shed rain, we deliver a hand-tooled finish.
Repointing in a pristine area like Hampstead Garden Suburb requires a clean and respectful approach
Find clear answers to common questions about our Repointing Services in Hampstead Suburb Gardens, including methods, safety, heritage properties, and what to expect from professional pointing specialists.
No. The Trust explicitly requires the use of lime-based mortars for all historic brickwork. Using cement can lead to enforcement notices and devalue your property.
If the mortar is receding, powdery to the touch, or if you notice "hollow" sounds when tapping the bricks, the mortar has failed. In the Suburb, missing mortar can quickly lead to damp issues due to the solid-wall construction.
Yes. Part of the HGS aesthetic is uniformity. We ensure our mortar mixes maintain the visual continuity of your terrace or crescent.
Ensure your property remains a masterpiece of the Suburb. Contact Tony Wallace today for a technical assessment and a fixed-price quote.