Lime Mortar Details That Matter – Drip Detailing, Exposure & High-Level Repairs

What’s the biggest threat to your historic building? Water.

In this special episode of Talking Conservation, we’re joined by Steve Hogarth — SPAB Fellow, heritage mason, and rope access conservator with Highlife Rope Access — to explore how the smallest details up high can make the biggest difference to your building’s long-term health.

We dig into:

- Why effective drip detailing is critical to keeping water off your building

- What causes damage when high-level details are missing or poorly repaired

- Sky-facing joints and how they differ from vertical surfaces

- How to assess and choose the right lime mortar mix for exposed locations

- The overlooked genius of traditional detailing (like string courses, throatings & hood moulds)

- When to use NHL, hot lime, or natural cements- Why small targeted maintenance can prevent costly full-scale repairs

- Real-world insight from Steve’s rope access conservation work on churches and historic buildings

This is an essential listen for homeowners, tradespeople, or professionals working with older or listed buildings.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:57 Drips and throatings

06:44 Impact of the Grand Tour

07:35 Umbrellas for buildings!

09:13 Clogged details and past rebuilding

10:28 Water pathways and identifying problems

12:59 Stephen's anecdote about finding a leak

15:01 Stopping water getting in

16:54 Junctions between materials

17:38 Choice of material for repair

19:56 Mortar mixes for exposed areas

24:38 Dealing with coastal locations

27:21 Ongoing maintenance

29:04 Limewashing or covering and changing exposed elevations

31:08 Shedding and sky-facing surfaces

35:02 Concluding comments

35:54 Outro

👉 High Life Rope Access: https://www.highliferopeaccess.com/

👉 Need expert 1:1 advice for your traditional or historic home?Book a video consultation with an independent specialist at www.expertible.com

🎓 Professionals wanting mentoring or training with Stephen Boniface? Visit www.beconservation.com

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