ABOUT Me
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Welcome to Marple Lime Pointing. I am Stephen Simpson, an independent sole trader based right here in Marple, specialising entirely in traditional lime mortar restoration. I do not do general building work, and I do not use modern cement on period properties. My focus is exclusively on preserving historic brick and stonework. When you hire me, you are not getting a gang of subcontractors or a rushed job. You are getting a dedicated specialist who handles every single stage of the process from the initial survey to the final clean up. Because I limit my work to a tight local radius and focus purely on quality craftsmanship, my diary fills up quickly.
I bring over 15 years of practical experience in bricklaying and pointing to the table. I am fully City and Guilds qualified with a Level 2 NVQ in brickwork, and I also hold an HND from Salford University (SOBE). For complete peace of mind, you can find my details on the CITB register under number 924077. |
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My Specialist Services
I provide bespoke masonry restoration for period homes, farmhouses, and historic buildings. My core services include:
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Why use Lime Mortar on period properties?
Traditional lime mortar is fundamentally different from modern cement. It is a highly breathable material, but it was not simply designed that way by accident. Through natural capillary action, lime actively draws trapped moisture out of the stonework to the surface where it can evaporate, preventing internal damp and condensation.
Tracing its origins back thousands of years, lime played a vital role in Victorian and Edwardian building. The true science behind lime mortar is that it acts as a sacrificial layer. Because it is softer and more flexible than the surrounding brick or stone, it naturally accommodates seasonal thermal expansion and subtle ground movement. Instead of your expensive historic masonry cracking under pressure, the lime mortar harmlessly absorbs the structural stress. |
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Why not use Cement Mortar on period properties?Cement mortar is an incredibly hard, dense, and non porous material that traps moisture inside old brickwork. In the past, builders mixed cement with strong additives to create a completely waterproof finish. The fatal flaw with this approach is that modern cement cures to become far harder than the historic bricks themselves.
When natural ground movement or thermal expansion occurs, the unyielding solid cement stays put, forcing the softer bricks to take all the physical strain. This immense pressure causes the faces of the bricks to shatter, flake, and spall, leading to extensive and irreversible structural damage. Furthermore, because cement seals the wall, it actively encourages rising damp, drawing groundwater up through the masonry. Grinding out old, deeply packed cement is tough work, but removing it is essential for the long term survival of a period building. |
What My Clients Say
"Stephen carried out extensive repointing on our stone farmhouse in Mellor after years of damp issues caused by previous cement work. The difference in breathability and the quality of the traditional lime finish is night and day. He is an absolute master of his trade and well worth every penny." David and Sarah H., Mellor
"Finding a genuine lime specialist who understands historic masonry is rare. Stephen carefully raked out degraded mortar and repointed our gritstone cottage in Hayfield using natural hydraulic lime. Reliable, spotless clean up every afternoon, and outstanding craftsmanship throughout." Mark T., Hayfield
"We had severe spalling on the Victorian brick face of our home near Marple Bridge due to rock hard cement strap pointing. Stephen diagnosed the issue, raked out the offending cement without damaging the original bricks, and hand pointed the entire front elevation. Exceptional standard of work from start to finish." Eleanor P., Marple Bridge
"Stephen repointed the high exposed chimney stacks and weathered sandstone walls on our period property near Disley. He takes genuine pride in traditional restoration, arrived exactly when promised, and kept us informed at every stage. Truly top tier craftsmanship." James R., Disley
"Finding a genuine lime specialist who understands historic masonry is rare. Stephen carefully raked out degraded mortar and repointed our gritstone cottage in Hayfield using natural hydraulic lime. Reliable, spotless clean up every afternoon, and outstanding craftsmanship throughout." Mark T., Hayfield
"We had severe spalling on the Victorian brick face of our home near Marple Bridge due to rock hard cement strap pointing. Stephen diagnosed the issue, raked out the offending cement without damaging the original bricks, and hand pointed the entire front elevation. Exceptional standard of work from start to finish." Eleanor P., Marple Bridge
"Stephen repointed the high exposed chimney stacks and weathered sandstone walls on our period property near Disley. He takes genuine pride in traditional restoration, arrived exactly when promised, and kept us informed at every stage. Truly top tier craftsmanship." James R., Disley
