Modern cement and gypsum plasters trap moisture in Victorian walls, causing damp, decay, and damage. We restore the breathability your home was designed for — using Breathaplasta, a modern hemp lime plaster that sets fast and performs beautifully.
Most damp issues in Victorian properties aren't caused by rising damp — they're caused by previous repairs that stopped the walls from breathing.
Cement and gypsum are too hard and impermeable for Victorian solid walls. They trap moisture inside the masonry, leading to persistent internal damp, blown plaster, black mould, and hidden decay within the wall structure.
Solid Victorian walls have no insulation cavity. In winter, they lose heat rapidly and their cold internal surfaces cause condensation — the perfect conditions for black mould, peeling wallpaper, and that familiar musty smell.
Many damp surveyors recommend chemical damp-proof courses or tanking systems that don't address the root cause. In a Victorian home, the problem is almost always trapped moisture — not rising damp.
Victorian homes were built with solid walls designed to absorb a small amount of moisture and let it evaporate. Modern materials break this cycle, turning the walls into a reservoir for damp.
We use Breathaplasta — a modern hemp lime plaster made by Adaptavate. It combines the breathability of traditional lime with fast setting times, excellent thermal performance, and natural moisture regulation. No cement, no gypsum, no plastics.
Every project starts with understanding why the damp is occurring and specifying the right Breathaplasta system to fix it properly.
Removal of failed gypsum or cement plaster, substrate preparation, and application of Breathaplasta hemp lime plaster. It sets in around two hours per coat, regulates moisture naturally, and provides a beautiful, breathable finish that keeps walls dry.
Internal wall insulation using wood fibre boards finished with Breathaplasta — a system specifically designed for solid-walled homes. Wood fibre is a natural, breathable insulation that works with your walls rather than against them, improving warmth and reducing energy bills without trapping moisture.
A thorough assessment of the causes of damp in your property, followed by a targeted lime-based remediation strategy using the Breathaplasta system — no unnecessary chemicals, injected damp-proof courses, or invasive treatments.
Sympathetic lime works for older and listed properties, using appropriate breathable materials and techniques to preserve character while resolving damp and improving thermal comfort.
We keep things straightforward. Here's what to expect when you work with us.
Tell us about the damp issues in your home. We'll have a chat, ask the right questions, and arrange a convenient time to visit.
We visit your property, diagnose the cause of damp, and provide a clear, written quote with no hidden costs — specifying the right Breathaplasta system for your walls.
We carefully remove failed plaster, prepare the substrate, and ensure everything is ready for lime application.
Breathaplasta is applied by hand in multiple coats, with each coat setting in around two hours — significantly faster than traditional lime, meaning less disruption to your home.
We'd been fighting damp for years. Two damp-proofing companies wanted to inject chemicals. Breathable Lime diagnosed the problem in minutes — it was the cement render. Six months after lime re-rendering, the walls are completely dry.
Professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they do. They explained the whole process clearly and the lime plaster finish is beautiful. Our basement rooms are finally usable — no more mould.
The team were respectful of our home and incredibly tidy. They took the time to explain what was causing the damp in our chimney breast and showed us the cement that had been trapping moisture. Exceptional work.
We work across Greater London and the surrounding counties, wherever Victorian properties need breathing again.
In the vast majority of Victorian homes, the answer is no. True rising damp is extremely rare. What most homeowners experience is moisture trapped in the walls by impermeable modern materials — cement renders, gypsum plaster, and vinyl paints. Remove these and allow the walls to breathe with lime, and the damp typically resolves itself.
Breathaplasta sets in around two hours per coat, which is significantly faster than traditional lime plaster. A typical room takes around one to two days depending on the number of coats required and the condition of the substrate. This faster setting time means less disruption to your home while still delivering all the breathability and moisture-regulating benefits of a lime-based system.
Removing existing plaster is the dustiest part, and we take care to sheet up and contain this. The lime application itself is a traditional wet trade but it's far less disruptive than many people expect. We work room by room where possible and always leave the workspace clean at the end of each day.
Costs depend on the scope of work — the area to be plastered, the condition of the walls, and whether insulation is being installed. Breathaplasta costs more than gypsum but delivers a permanent solution to damp and moisture problems rather than a temporary cover-up. We provide free, no-obligation quotes so you can make an informed decision.
Yes, but it's important to use breathable paints — lime wash, clay paint, or silicate mineral paint. Standard vinyl emulsion will seal the surface and reintroduce the same moisture-trapping problem. We'll advise on the best finishes for your walls.
Breathaplasta is a modern hemp lime plaster made by Adaptavate. It combines natural hydraulic lime with hemp fibre to create a breathable plaster that actively regulates moisture, provides thermal and acoustic insulation, and resists mould growth. Unlike traditional lime plaster, it sets in around two hours per coat, making it far quicker to apply. It contains no Portland cement, no gypsum, and no plastics.
Wood fibre boards are a natural, breathable insulation material that can be fixed to the internal face of solid walls. Unlike rigid foam insulation, wood fibre allows moisture to pass through, making it ideal for Victorian homes. When finished with Breathaplasta, the system improves thermal performance and reduces energy bills without creating the trapped-moisture problems that come with non-breathable insulation methods.
We cover all of Greater London and the surrounding Home Counties including Surrey, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Sussex. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, get in touch and we'll let you know.
Tell us about the issues in your home and we'll explain how Breathaplasta lime plaster can fix them — no hard sell, just honest advice.
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