The Lewis Diagnostic™
Expert Remote Analysis for Lime Mortar, Damp & Heritage Masonry
Old buildings behave differently — and the materials used to repair them matter. If you’re unsure whether your mortar is lime or cement, whether a wall is breathing properly, or whether damp or salts are developing, I can diagnose it remotely with conservation‑grade accuracy.
Send me clear photos and a short video, and I’ll analyse the mortar, moisture pathways, breathability and overall masonry condition — then give you the correct repair guidance.
Fast. Accurate. Affordable. No site visit needed.
WhatsApp: Send your photos and videos here
What This Service Is
Remote Heritage Masonry Diagnostics is a specialist online service designed to assess the condition, materials and behaviour of traditional masonry without the need for a site visit. Using clear photos, short videos and a few simple checks, I can accurately identify mortar types, diagnose moisture pathways, assess breathability, and determine whether repairs or repointing are actually needed.
This service is ideal for homeowners, buyers, landlords and contractors who want fast, expert guidance on lime mortar, damp, salts or masonry issues — without the cost or delay of arranging an in‑person survey.
You’ll receive clear, conservation‑grade advice based on the same principles used in heritage restoration, ensuring any work carried out is sympathetic, compatible and long‑lasting.
Why Remote Diagnostics Work
Traditional masonry tells you everything you need to know — if you know what to look for. With clear photos, short videos and a few simple checks, it’s possible to accurately assess mortar type, moisture behaviour, breathability and overall wall performance without stepping foot on site.
Most of the critical information in heritage masonry is visual or acoustic:
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the colour and texture of the mortar
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the grading and behaviour of the sand
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the hardness revealed by a tap test
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the pattern of damp or salt deposits
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the condition of the brick faces
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the way the wall is breathing
These indicators allow for conservation‑grade analysis remotely, saving you the cost and delay of a site visit while still giving you expert guidance based on heritage principles.
Remote diagnostics are fast, affordable and highly accurate — and they prevent unnecessary or incorrect work being carried out on your property.
Remote Services Available
I offer a full range of remote diagnostic services covering lime mortar, damp, salts, breathability and traditional masonry behaviour. Each service is designed to give you clear, conservation‑grade guidance without the cost or delay of a site visit.
Remote Mortar Identification
Identify whether your mortar is lime, NHL or cement, assess hardness, sand type and compatibility, and receive the correct repair mix.
Remote Moisture Pathway Diagnosis
Analysis of internal and external damp patterns, moisture movement, breathability issues and underlying causes.
Remote Salt Behaviour Assessment
Identify hygroscopic salts, efflorescence, cement‑related salt traps and long‑term moisture risks.
Remote Breathability Check
Determine whether the wall is breathing correctly or being restricted by hard or incompatible materials.
Remote Repointing Requirement Assessment
A full elevation review to confirm whether repointing is actually needed — or if localised repairs are more appropriate.
Remote Lime Mix Recommendation
Exact binder, sand, ratio, colour and grading tailored to your building and existing mortar.
Remote Heritage Repair Plan
A step‑by‑step repair guide covering tools, method, curing, aftercare and conservation‑correct practice.
Remote Contractor Oversight
Weekly review of your contractor’s work via photos and video, ensuring correct materials and methods are used.
Remote Pre‑Purchase Masonry Check
For buyers wanting to know if a property has cement issues, damp risks or incompatible repairs before committing.
Remote Damp Investigation
Full analysis of damp staining, moisture pathways, salts and environmental factors affecting the building.
Pricing
Remote Heritage Masonry Diagnostics is designed to give you fast, accurate and conservation‑grade guidance at a fraction of the cost of a site visit. Each service is fixed‑price, transparent and delivered with the same care and detail used in traditional heritage restoration.
Core Diagnostic Services
Remote Mortar Identification — £50 Identify lime, NHL or cement; assess hardness, sand type and compatibility; receive the correct repair mix.
Remote Moisture Pathway Diagnosis — £75 Full analysis of internal/external damp patterns, moisture movement and underlying causes.
Remote Salt Behaviour Assessment — £75 Identify hygroscopic salts, efflorescence and cement‑related salt traps.
Remote Breathability Check — £60 Determine whether the wall is breathing correctly or being restricted by hard or incompatible materials.
Remote Repointing Requirement Assessment — £50 A full elevation review confirming whether repointing is needed or if localised repairs are more appropriate.
Repair & Specification Services
Remote Lime Mix Recommendation — £40 Exact binder, sand, ratio, colour and grading tailored to your building.
Remote Heritage Repair Plan — £95 A step‑by‑step conservation‑correct repair guide covering tools, method, curing and aftercare.
Oversight & Specialist Support
Remote Contractor Oversight (per week) — £45 Ongoing review of your contractor’s work via photos and video to ensure correct materials and methods.
Remote Pre‑Purchase Masonry Check — £95 For buyers wanting to understand mortar type, damp risks and compatibility issues before committing.
Remote Damp Investigation — £75 Full analysis of damp staining, moisture pathways, salts and environmental factors.
How It Works
Remote diagnostics are simple, fast and structured. Here’s how the process works from start to finish:
1. Send Your Photos & Videos
Use WhatsApp to send clear photos, close‑ups, and a short video of the area you’re concerned about. I’ll confirm I’ve received everything I need.
2. Invoice Issued
I’ll send a formal invoice for the service you’ve chosen so everything is properly documented.
3. Payment
Once payment is made, your analysis is booked in and I begin reviewing your materials.
4. Expert Analysis
I assess the mortar, moisture pathways, breathability, salts or masonry condition using conservation‑grade methods.
5. Your Written Report
You receive a clear, detailed set of findings and recommendations tailored to your building — including correct materials, repair methods and next steps.
Fast. Accurate. Professional. No site visit required.
What Photos & Videos to Send
To carry out an accurate remote assessment, I need a clear set of photos and a short video showing the condition of the masonry. Here’s what to send:
1. Wide Shots of the Wall
Full elevation photos showing the overall area. This helps me understand context, exposure and moisture patterns.
2. Close‑Ups of the Mortar
Clear, well‑lit photos of the joints so I can assess texture, colour, sand grading and binder type.
3. A Raked‑Out Section (If Possible)
A small area where the mortar has been lightly scraped back with a key or screwdriver. This reveals hardness, depth and material behaviour.
4. Tap Test Video
A short video tapping the mortar with a key or metal tool. The sound tells me a lot about hardness, brittleness and compatibility.
5. Brick Face Condition
Photos showing any spalling, flaking, erosion or salt deposits on the brick faces.
6. Internal Damp or Staining (If Relevant)
Photos of any internal damp patches, tide marks, blistering paint or salt crystals.
7. Property Age (If Known)
A quick note of the building’s approximate age helps with material identification.
Send everything through WhatsApp for the fastest response.
What You Receive
Every remote diagnostic service includes a clear, detailed and conservation‑grade written assessment tailored specifically to your building. You’ll receive practical, accurate guidance based on traditional masonry behaviour and heritage‑correct repair methods.
Your report includes:
• A clear diagnosis
Whether it’s mortar type, moisture pathways, salts, breathability or general masonry condition, you’ll receive a precise explanation of what’s happening and why.
• Correct materials and mixes
Exact recommendations for lime type, sand grading, ratios, colour matching and compatible repair materials.
• Step‑by‑step repair guidance
Clear instructions on how to carry out the repair correctly — or how to brief your contractor so the work is done to conservation standards.
• Risk and damage assessment
Identification of any issues caused by cement, trapped moisture, salts or incompatible repairs.
• Preventative advice
Guidance on how to protect the building long‑term and avoid future damp or deterioration.
• Fast turnaround
Most assessments are completed within 24–48 hours once payment is received.
You get expert heritage advice without the cost or delay of a site visit — and without any guesswork.
Why This Saves You Money
Remote diagnostics prevent unnecessary work, incorrect materials and costly mistakes. Most masonry problems come from using the wrong mortar, blocking breathability or misreading damp — and fixing those issues after the fact is far more expensive than diagnosing them properly from the start.
Here’s how this service saves you money:
• Avoids unnecessary repointing
Many walls don’t need full repointing. A remote assessment confirms whether repairs are actually required, saving hundreds or even thousands.
• Prevents the use of wrong materials
Using cement or the wrong lime mix can damage bricks, trap moisture and create long‑term problems. Correct guidance protects your building and your budget.
• Stops damp issues before they escalate
Early identification of moisture pathways and salts prevents internal damage, plaster failure and expensive remedial work.
• No call‑out fees or travel costs
You get expert heritage advice without paying for a site visit.
• Clear guidance for contractors
If you’re hiring someone, you’ll know exactly what materials and methods they should be using — avoiding poor workmanship and costly re‑doing.
• Fast, accurate answers
Quick diagnostics mean you can make informed decisions immediately, without waiting weeks for a survey.
Remote diagnostics give you conservation‑grade expertise at a fraction of the cost of traditional surveys — and they protect your building from avoidable damage.
Sample Report (Preview)
Below is an example of the type of written assessment you’ll receive. Every report is tailored to your building, your materials and the specific issues shown in your photos and videos.
Sample Extract
Property Type: Late Victorian brick terrace Location Assessed: Rear elevation, ground floor Primary Concern: Damp staining and deteriorating mortar
Findings: The mortar appears to be a hard cement‑based mix, identifiable by its grey tone, brittle fracture pattern and the sharp, angular sand visible in the close‑up photos. The tap test confirms a dense, high‑frequency sound typical of cement. This is restricting breathability and contributing to the damp staining visible internally.
There is evidence of salt activity on the lower brick faces. The pattern suggests moisture is being trapped behind the cement pointing and migrating inward rather than evaporating externally.
Recommendations:
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Remove cement pointing in affected areas using hand tools only.
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Repoint using an NHL2 lime mortar with a well‑graded, buff‑coloured sand at a 1:2.5 ratio.
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Allow full carbonation and monitor internal moisture levels over the following weeks.
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Avoid waterproof coatings or sealants, as these will worsen the issue.
This is the level of clarity, detail and conservation‑grade guidance you can expect from every remote diagnostic service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is a remote assessment?
Very accurate. Traditional masonry reveals everything through colour, texture, sand grading, hardness, moisture patterns and salt behaviour. With clear photos and a short video, I can diagnose mortar type, breathability, damp pathways and compatibility issues to conservation‑grade standards.
Do I still need a site visit?
In most cases, no. Remote diagnostics are designed to replace the need for a site visit for mortar identification, damp analysis, salt behaviour, breathability checks and repointing assessments. If I believe a site visit is necessary, I’ll tell you.
How long does it take?
Most assessments are completed within 24–48 hours once payment is received.
What if I don’t know the age of the property?
That’s fine. Age helps, but the materials and behaviour of the wall tell me everything I need to know.
What if my photos aren’t good enough?
If anything is unclear, I’ll ask for additional photos or a quick video. I’ll guide you so you get exactly what’s needed.
Can you tell if my mortar is lime or cement?
Yes. Colour, texture, fracture pattern, sand grading and tap‑test sound all reveal the binder type with high accuracy.
Can you diagnose damp remotely?
Yes. Moisture pathways, salt patterns, breathability issues and internal staining are all visible through photos and video.
Do you work with listed buildings?
Yes. All guidance is conservation‑grade and suitable for listed and historic properties.
Can you advise my contractor?
Yes. You can book Remote Contractor Oversight, where I review their work weekly to ensure correct materials and methods.
How do I pay?
Once you send your photos, I issue a formal invoice. After payment, your assessment is booked in and completed within 24–48 hours.
Payment & Booking
Booking a remote diagnostic is simple. Once you’ve sent your photos and videos, I’ll confirm the service you need and issue a formal invoice. After payment is received, your assessment is booked in and completed within 24–48 hours.
How to Book
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Send your photos and videos via WhatsApp
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Receive your invoice Clear, fixed‑price and based on the service you choose.
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Make payment Once paid, your analysis begins.
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Receive your written report Detailed, conservation‑grade guidance tailored to your building.