The use of lime in building and as a binding material holding together stones and brick originates in our near past. Heated lime rock that was slaked with water gave early users of lime a paste for building that was superior to clay for building. The art of using lime as a plaster dates back to early civilizations. The compounds of lime mortars are oxides, hydroxides, hydrates and carbonates. The burning of limestone creates a chemical change between calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. The burning of the lime in the kiln removes impurity such as silica and a fine lime is produced.    The addition of water is known as slaking to produce a quick lime or calcium hydroxide or simply "mortar". 

Limes used in foundations in Massachusetts were:     

a) Run of  Kiln Lime - The product that comes from the kiln with out any sort of preparation.   

b) Selected lump Lime - a well. burned lime which has been sorted and freed from core ashes and cinder by sorting.  

 c) Ground Pulverized Lime - Lime which has been reduced in size to pass through a 1/4 screen.   

d) Hydrated Lime - A dry flocculent powder resulting from the treatment of quick lime with enough water to satisfy the calcium oxide.      ​ 

 In recent years a method of treating lime with water has been introduced that satisfies the chemical requirements of calcium oxide forming a dry, finely divided powder, the aforementioned hydrated lime. This product comes to the market in bags for use and simply add water and sand. Naturally Hydrated or Hydraulic Lime Putty. 

 In the past sand and hair was used for plastering and coating foundations. When building stone or bricks after 1810 foundations used a 10% or greater Portland cement ratio was used.   In cases where mortar requires a greater strength such as buildings or foundation it is advantageous to use Portland cement. Investigation by various historical authorities has proven the fact that hydrated lime and Portland cement can be mixed in any portion of 10%  of hydrate to Portland cement for making a cement mortar to an addition of 10% of addition of Portland cement for making a hydrated lime mortar. Ratios used typically in early European and  Massachusetts building were 65 cement .35 lime or 1 lime 5 sand.      

 The most popular lime mixtures used were:    ​Three to one - for example four bags Portland cement , one bag of hydrated lime = 500 lbs and 1500 pounds  of sand.    Cement - Hydrated Lime mortar for interior plastering or brick  ​one bag of Portland cement  100 pounds , 2 bags of lime 200 pounds and 1200 pounds of sand. this mix was used for scratch coats in plaster and basement white washing.     Early first period homes from 1600's and 1700's lime and sand were used. Natural Hydrated Lime mixes. Cinders and ash have been documented in some cases to represent a roman cement mix.