Practical Lime Plastering & Pointing

Two day hands on course

Whether you're a skilled contractor looking to deepen your expertise with traditional lime techniques, or a homeowner ready to tackle small repairs in your historic home with confidence —this immersive two-day course is designed just for you.

Why Learn About Lime?

Lime has been used for centuries to build and protect our traditional buildings. When used correctly, it allows walls to breathe, helps manage moisture, and contributes to the long life of our heritage buildings. Learning how to work with lime isn't just practical—it's empowering.

What You’ll Learn:

Understanding Your Building

We’ll kick off by exploring the beautiful variety of traditional buildings—what they’re made from, how they work, and why lime is the best choice for keeping them in good condition.

Why Buildings Decay

Learn the key causes of damage in old buildings—moisture, cement-based materials, poor ventilation—and how lime can help prevent or even reverse that damage.

Lime Demystified

We’ll dive into the lime cycle, different types of lime, choosing the right aggregates, and how to stay safe while working with these materials.

Hands-On Plastering

You’ll get stuck in preparing lath and applying multiple layers of plaster—from the base coats right through to smooth, breathable finish coats. This is where it gets truly satisfying!

Mixing & Applying Pointing Mortars

Gain confidence in mixing and applying lime mortars for pointing—essential for repairing and protecting your stone or brickwork.

Rendering and Limewashing

Learn the techniques for external renders, including base coats, floated coats, and harled finishes. Then finish it all off with traditional limewashing—mixed and applied by you.

Who Is This Course For?

Contractors & Builders looking to expand their knowledge of heritage materials and techniques.
Homeowners & DIYers with a passion for old buildings who want to carry out repairs and maintenance themselves.

No previous experience is necessary—just a willingness to learn and get involved.

What You’ll Leave With:

Practical, hands-on experience with lime plastering, pointing, and rendering.
A better understanding of your traditional building and how to care for it.
The confidence to carry out repairs—or speak knowledgeably to professionals who will.

Book your place today—spaces are limited!

To book your place on June 17th-18th please click on the button below:

To book your place of July 16th-17th please click on the button below:

Meet the Tutor – Joe Moriarty

If you want to learn lime plastering from someone who truly knows their craft inside and out, Joe Moriarty is the tutor for you.

Joe began his career as a plasterer, working hands-on with traditional materials long before conservation became his full-time focus. Over the years, he’s built up a huge depth of knowledge by working on some of the most prestigious historic buildings in Wales and England, moving from builder to site supervisor, project manager, and now heritage professional. Along the way, he’s never stopped learning—completing an MSc in Sustainable Building Conservation and gaining specialist qualifications in the repair and energy efficiency of traditional buildings.

Today, Joe works as a Built Heritage Monitoring and Enforcement Officer, helping protect listed buildings and historic parks and gardens. But what really sets him apart is his passion for teaching. At the Tywi Centre, Joe brings lime plastering to life—sharing not just the how, but the why. He’ll teach you how to work with lime in a way that respects both the material and the building, drawing on real-life examples and decades of practical experience.

Joe’s sessions are full of insight, encouragement, and good humour. He’s approachable, down-to-earth, and always keen to help others gain confidence with traditional techniques. Whether you’re new to lime or looking to refine your skills, you’ll come away with not just knowledge, but real hands-on ability.

With Joe, you’re not just learning lime plastering—you’re learning it from someone who lives and breathes heritage conservation.