Heritage Cob & Lime
T
here is nothing new about lime
mortar, it has been around for
thousands of years since before
the early Egyptians. The properties of
lime mortar have long been recognised
for being a strong, flexible and
permeable building material, and family
run business, Heritage Cob and Lime
based in Bideford, North Devon, have
seen a steady increase in both clients
and other builders wanting to know and
understand more about the use of lime
mortar.
With a client base that stretches from
Scotland right down through to Devon
and Cornwall, the company’s mortars
and bespoke plasters are in great demand.
Sarah Rawle heads up the manufacturing
side of the business and she explained,
“Our non-hydraulic lime (fatty lime
mortar) is slaked from premium Buxton
quicklime and matured for a minimum of
4 months, and forms the basis for all our
pre-mixed lime mortars and plasters.”
The company has a list of famous
landmarks that it has supplied mortars
to, including Buckingham Palace
and Windsor Castle. As well as
manufacturing, the company stocks all
traditional building materials, including
cob blocks and a new, innovative clay
and straw block called a Strock.
Working alongside Sarah is father David
Rawle, senior partner and consultant to
the business. Mum Sue Rawle assists
with building quotes, consultations as
well as the marketing, whilst Sarah’s
brother, Frank Rawle heads up the
building restoration side.
The manufacture of lime mortar has
many advantages over cement, already
proven by independent research bodies
such as the National House Building
Council Foundation.
Instead of producing large amount of
CO2 in manufacturing, as is the case with
cement, lime mortar carbonates (hardens)
by using CO2 from the atmosphere.
Ideal for restoring traditional buildings,
lime mortar lets the structure flex and so
prevents masonry from cracking. It also
acts as a wick, absorbing moisture and
allowing it to evaporate and so keeping
the masonry dryer and lessening the
risk of spalling (crumbling of masonry).
Older houses that have been rendered
outside with cement and then inside with
pink plaster often have damp problems
which can be overcome simply by using
the appropriate lime mortar inside and
out.
Situated at Coates Road, Bideford
Business Park, East-the-Water,
Bideford, Heritage Cob and Lime are
open Monday to Friday- 8am to 5pm,
Saturday 9am-12 noon. Please ring
01237 477431 for more information or
visit the website:
www.heritagecobandlime.com