Mcafee Stonemasonry

08/02/2013

Have just launched my website, feel free to have a browse.
www.mcafeestonemasonry.com

28/01/2013

I worked on this summer house for Diarmuid Gavins "I want a garden" in 2007.

28/01/2013

Stonemason who specialises in dry stone walling and working with lime mortars. Available for small and large projects. Contact Brian McAfee 0868044910

28/01/2013

Natural hydraulic lime mortars

Lime Mortar is essential for the preservation of the fabric of our historical heritage. The most important factor to bear in mind is the compatibility of the new mortar with the existing one.In many cases the original aggregate will not be available or the binder has lost most of its characteristics to be suitably identified. In other cases the building is not in the same condition as when it was originally built and the mortar might have to perform differently from the original.

Buildings pre 1900 would not have been built with cement (with few exceptions in the late 19th century) but with a lime mortar. To introduce cement in these buildings means to introduce a decay process due to the chemical composition of cement with high presence of gypsum and alkalis that will cause sulphate and alkali-silica reactions. Irreversible damage can be caused with the result that in few years we could seriously damage structures that centuries have not.

In surface work cement mortar does not offer the high level of breathability provided by most types of lime mortar. Damp and rot might occur and further damage could be inflicted using chemical or unsympathetic remedies.

When using cement/lime mortar to reduce the strength of pure cement mortar and improve their workability we are not avoiding the problems mentioned above.
Why do so if it is possible to achieve most of the required performance by using a pure lime mortar which would be totally compatible with the existing ones and suitable for the envisaged work.

The cost of using lime binders, especially a low density natural hydraulic lime (NHL), is not as high as it might seem once it is realized that, weight for weight, the volume of mortar made with NHL binders could be up to 3 times the amount made with cement. The cost consideration, however, should not even be there if the health of the building is at stake.

28/01/2013

Restored arch on a cowshed.

28/01/2013

New window built from cow shed 2007

04/01/2013

Dry stone retaining wall completed in Mayo 2011

04/01/2013

I am a Stonemason who specialises in dry stone walling and working with lime mortars on restoration projects and new builds. I have worked on Churchs, listed buildings, conversion of farm buildings into dwellings, repointing and repair of walls. Available for projects small and large. Contact Brian Mcafee 0868044910

04/01/2013