Lime Sand Mortar ratio for ironstone

[SooBee]

We need some raking out and repointing doing on our house to stop ingress of rain. It's built of Hornton stone which is a North Oxfordshire ironstone and therefore a reddish sandy colour. We've been advised we need lime sand mortar.

Does anyone know what proportion of lime to sand should be used to achieve the right match? We do have some tint which can be added but I wondered if a natural mix would achieve the right colour.

Grateful for advice!

 

[Blagard]

It is a specialist mix and the use of sharp sand as opposed to building sand may be required. I have never used a lime sand mortar so would suggest you "Google" it and check out the various heritiage websites. A Quick look suggests 1 lime to 3 parts sand - but as noted above, use the right sand, and the right sort of lime to! Different sands will produce different colour mortar so maybe test a bit first!

I use a Lime/Sand/Cement mix all the time for various brickwork jobs but that is not what you want.

 

[stuart45]

There are some Firms that will try and match the colour for you.
This one is close to me, so a bit far from you.
http://www.limebase.co.uk/