You can’t just slap a new coat over the old stones and call it a day. First, we catalog every joint, note where mortar has cracked, and pull a sample to the lab—this tells us what’s actually holding the wall together. Next, we’ll mix a lime‑based repoint that matches the historic texture, then hand‑tuck each joint, letting it cure slowly; you can’t rush that. If a section is weak, we’ll reinforce it with hidden steel ties, but only where the old brick can’t stand it alone. Finish with a breathable sealant that protects from the rain without trapping moisture. No shortcuts, no gloss—just a method that lets the old hall breathe and look as it should.

Sure thing. I’ll get the lab to nail the lime mix for that stone porosity, then break the repoint into two‑week bursts so the wall stays shielded. The steel ties will be hidden under the original mortar so the audit sees nothing out of place, and we’ll leave a reversible cap so future hands can undo it. I’ll draft a two‑year check‑in for the sealant and map the whole schedule to keep it tight but doable. No shortcuts, just a solid plan that respects the past.