Support & Advice

At CJH Brick Restoration, we do more than restore brickwork; we help homeowners, landlords, and property professionals make informed, confident decisions about caring for their period properties.

We specialise in the sensitive repair and conservation of pre-1930s Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian homes. Our guidance is grounded in hands-on experience with breathable materials, traditional tools, and time-honoured building techniques, not modern shortcuts or one-size-fits-all solutions.

When to Reach Out for Advice

This guidance is ideal if you:

• Own a period property in need of maintenance or restoration
• Have been told you need to “damp-proof” your home
• Are confused by conflicting advice from tradespeople
• Want to understand the right methods for lime pointing or brick repair
• Are applying for planning or conservation area consent

What Makes Our Advice Different

Unlike general builders or sales-driven contractors, we specialise in working exclusively with heritage and character properties. Our advice is tailored, not templated, and always rooted in a deep respect for traditional craftsmanship. We won’t recommend unnecessary work or oversell our services. Instead, we’ll help you understand exactly what your home needs and why.

Common Signs of Incorrect Repairs

If you’ve noticed any of the following, it could point to the wrong materials or poor repair work:

• Damp patches inside your walls, especially near chimneys or skirting
• Spalling or crumbling bricks, especially red rubbers or soft yellows
• Cracks appearing around windows, doors, or brickwork
• Paint flaking or bubbling on masonry or render
• White salt deposits forming on the surface of your bricks
• Unsightly pointing that looks grey, rigid, or sits proud of the surface

Why Cement Is the Common Culprit

Modern cement mortar is too rigid for traditional solid-wall buildings. These properties were originally built with lime-based mortars designed to breathe, allowing moisture to escape naturally through the wall fabric.

When cement is used:

• It traps moisture inside the bricks, leading to internal damp
• Bricks can crack, flake, or spall as they try to expel moisture
• The structure suffers long-term damage, even from well-meaning repairs

Lime mortar, by contrast, is flexible, breathable, and historically appropriate. It ensures your building stays dry, safe, and structurally sound, just as it was designed to be.

Still Not Sure What You Need?

If you’re unsure where to start or have already received conflicting quotes or advice, you’re not alone. Many tradespeople are unfamiliar with traditional methods, and well-meaning recommendations can often exacerbate the issue.

Here’s what we recommend instead:

• Don’t rush into modern damp-proofing systems; they often mask the problem
• Avoid repointing with cement on older properties, as it accelerates damage
• Speak to someone who understands lime and respects the heritage of your home

When you choose the right materials and methods, you’re not just fixing a problem; you’re preserving a piece of history.

How We Can Help

We’re happy to provide tailored advice on:

• Diagnosing persistent damp or masonry failure
• Choosing the right type of lime mortar for your home
• Navigating conservation area requirements or listed building consent
• Understanding whether your property needs repointing, restoration, or full rebuild
• Planning phased works in line with budget or seasonal needs

Book a Site Assessment

If you’d like honest, practical guidance from a specialist who works exclusively with historic and character buildings, we offer structured site assessments that include:

• A full visual inspection of your property
• Discussion of issues and possible root causes
• Recommendations for next steps, whether you work with us or not