An Introduction to Traditional Building Limes (Including Hot Limes)

This one-day course led by three expert tutors is ideal for anyone new to using lime in building or keen to expand their basic understanding. Through a combination of lectures, practical demonstrations and hands-on sessions, it will explain the different forms of traditional British building lime available and their different applications, with a particular focus on scheduled monuments.  Participants will be working on the perimeter wall at Merdon Castle, which is undergoing repairs as part of a Historic England Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk funded programme of works.

The SPAB is an IHBC-recognised CPD provider and attendance certificates for CPD are available on request.

Topics Covered:

•    Introduction to Merdon Castle (background, work being carried out)
•    Introduction to traditional British building limes
     -    The Lime Cycle, the raw materials, slaking, mixing, carbonation
     -    Looking at sands
     -    Understanding hydraulic and non-hydraulic limes
     -    Cold and hot mixing mortars
•    Demonstration of loading & firing of v.100 portable demonstration lime kiln
•    Demonstration of drawing quicklime from test kiln, slaking
•    The principles and benefits of soft-capping walls
•    Which lime mortars to use when soft-capping walls
•    Overcoming seasonal challenges: when and how to use hessian, bubble-wrap and tarpaulins to manage temperature/moisture and minimise risk of frost damage
•    Hands-on practice mixing & applying mortars

Tutors

• Stafford Holmes, DipArch ARIBA
• Lynn Mathias
• Hugh Conway Morris, MArch RIBA AABC

Programme 

09.30     Registration
09.45     Welcome & Introduction + Health & Safety Briefing
10.30    Session 1  
-    Lecture: Background to Merdon Castle (Simon Goddard, Surveyor)
11.30     Morning coffee
11.45     Session 2 
-    Explanation of purpose, construction and operation of portable demonstration lime kiln 
-    Summary of firing trials and recording processes
-    Demonstration of loading & firing of the v.100 portable miniaturised demonstration kiln (Hugh Conway Morris)
12.15    Session 3
-    Lecture: The Diversity of Building Limes (Stafford Holmes)
13.15    Lunch (delegates are advised to bring packed lunch with them)
14.15    Session 4
-    Merdon Castle ruin tour of works, inc. soft-capping (Pierra)
-    Discussion of seasonal challenges & managing frost risks (extreme conditions)
15.30    Afternoon tea
15.45    Session 5
-    Discussion of the preparation and use of hydraulic lime mortar 
-    Demonstration of drawing quicklime from test kiln and slaking 
-    Hands-on Session: mixing & applying mortars, renders & plasters (Lynn Mathias)
16.45    Tidy-up & clear away
17.00    Close of Day

Booking Terms & Conditions

Accessibility: please contact the SPAB before booking to discuss any special access requirements.