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WELCOME TO RUSSET AND SAGE CPD Portal           

Quality matters.

Module One
The lime mortar fundamentals

Haired lime mortar

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This module examines the role of lime mortar in historic buildings, considering its impact on managing the building's fabric and internal environment. The various types of lime mortars are discussed, with a focus on specifying lime mortars for conservation and restoration projects. It is no longer appropriate to use generic specifications. This module will delve into:

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  • The lime cycles (quicklime, natural hydraulic lime and cement cycles) and how they inform conservation

  • Aggregate selection for performance and colour

  • Use of mortar additions such as horse hair, pozzolans and crushed stone

  • Choosing the correct mortars for the building and the environment in which they must be applied, and perform in

  • Historic pointing and the forgotten benefits of lime wash

Module Two
Lime mortar repointing - stonework

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This module will guide the reader step by step through the process of preparing a stone wall for repointing, mixing mortar (with a focus on quicklime mortars), and tending to the mortar. The unique selling point of this module is that it captures the key areas where it can go wrong. Standard lime mortar courses allow for repointing in controlled (often indoor) environments. Without the understanding of how lime mortars behave under different conditions and how to remedy a problematic situation, the user becomes stuck. This module will focus on stonework and delve into:​

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  • Health and safety concerns

  • Appropriate tools for conservation work

  • Wall preparation

  • Repointing a stone wall

  • Caring for lime mortar and bringing it to a 'finish'

  • Cutting and replacing the wall stone

Module Three
Lime mortar repointing - brickwork

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This module will guide the reader step by step through the process of preparing a brick wall for repointing, mixing mortar (with a focus on quicklime mortars), and tending to the mortar. The unique selling point of this module is that it captures the key areas where it can go wrong. Standard lime mortar courses allow for repointing in controlled (often indoor) environments. Without the understanding of how lime mortars behave under different conditions and how to remedy a problematic situation, the user becomes stuck. This module will focus on brickwork and delve into:

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  • Health and safety concerns

  • Appropriate tools for conservation work

  • Wall preparation

  • Repointing a stone wall

  • Caring for lime mortar and bringing it to a 'finish'

  • Cutting and replacing bricks

Module Four
Historic building surveys

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How many chartered surveyors are following generic templates and report generation when surveying historic buildings? The industry's reputation is at an all-time low, largely because the survey doesn't adequately reflect the unique needs of the building and its owner. There are key issues that need to be addressed, many of which are discussed here within the framework of an RICS level 3 survey. This module will delve into:

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  • Fireplaces and chimneys and their role in managing the internal environment

  • Solid wall construction and moisture management

  • Interstitial condensation and its 

    management

  • Inappropriate alterations - key issues

  • Mixing traditional construction with modern additions and some key concerns

  • Ventilation and its importance

  • Protecting timber roof structures 

  • Lime plaster and the forgotten side of the wall

  • Protecting timber

  • Apotropaic marks and their importance

  • Specifying remedial lime work

Module Five
Specifying work to historic buildings

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Historic buildings have a reputation for being cold and damp. The lack of understanding of moisture dynamics within traditional construction has a significant impact. Inappropriate alterations and additions using modern construction materials and techniques have caused numerous homeowners endless concern. Architects and surveyors specifying work on historic buildings need to understand some of the key issues that arise when making alterations. This module will delve into:

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  • Standards and guidance for historic buildings

  • The overwhelming importance of quality lime that performs

  • Specification of lime mortars for conservation - moving away from generic specifications

  • Lime in the building industry and reasons why it doesn't always perform

  • Getting it wrong - common issues with modern alterations and interventions

  • Case studies

Module Six
Moisture dynamics in traditional construction

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Moisture dynamics in traditional construction is one of the lesser-understood subjects. Often, only half of the picture is fully realised, which can result in inappropriate remedial measures or alterations to historic buildings. This module will delve into:

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  • Moisture dynamics and how traditional construction deals with it

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    Lime and its uses throughout the building

  • The lost heart of the home - the disuse of fireplaces

  • Benefits and limitations of various diagnostic tools, including protimeter MMS3, thermohygrometers, thermal imaging, salt analysis and carbide testing

  • Importance of understanding the occupancy

  • Understanding cross-sectional building construction and how it informs damp diagnosis

  • Significance of the bigger picture - assessing damp in traditional construction

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