Devon’s period properties—from thatched cob cottages and Dartmoor stone farmhouses to coastal period homes—face unique structural challenges. Traditional cob walls, timber lintels, and exposed chimney stacks were built to handle the South West’s weather using natural, breathable materials. When water gets in, or modern cement repairs fail, the structural fabric of the building suffers.
At Thorne’s Plastering, I specialize in sympathetic structural repairs tailored specifically for Devon heritage properties. Whether you’re dealing with cracked cob, a failing timber lintel over a doorway, or a wind-battered chimney stack in need of repointing, every job is executed using authentic materials and proven traditional techniques.
Devon cob is remarkable material, but it has one fundamental vulnerability: water. Known traditionally as needing “a good hat and a good pair of boots,” cob walls rely on a sound roof, solid stone footings (plinths), and a breathable outer lime skin to stay healthy.
Applying hard cement renders or ignoring cracked walls traps moisture inside the cob, causing the mud and straw matrix to soften and lose its load-bearing strength.
Our Cob Repair Services Include:
From transforming just one problematic wall in a thatched cob cottage in Tavistock through to complete lime restoration projects for country estates around Totnes, we handle a wide variety of work across Devon. Here’s what clients have to say about working with us!
Behind many cracked window openings, sagging doorways, or failing render patches in older Devon properties sits a decayed timber lintel. Historically, builders used local timber like oak or pine to bridge openings in thick cob and stone walls. Over time, roof leaks, cement coatings, or poor ventilation cause these original lintels to rot, leading to internal cracks and structural movement above.
Replacing a structural lintel in an old solid wall requires care, patience, and proper temporary support to ensure the surrounding masonry or cob isn’t disturbed.
How We Approach Lintel Replacements:
Perched high on roofs across Devon and Dartmoor, chimney stacks take the full force of the West Country’s wind and driving rain. When the mortar in a chimney stack degrades—or worse, when it has been pointed in rigid cement—water penetrates the stack, washing out the core masonry and soaking down into internal breast walls and flues.
A neglected chimney stack isn’t just a damp risk; it’s a serious structural hazard if loose stones or brickwork begin to shift.
Chimney Services:
If you’re looking for lime plastering, lime pointing or traditional building repairs in Devon then please feel free to get in touch via the form below.
Every property and every job is a unique story, requiring an in-person survey to enable us to give you the best advice. To arrange a tailored on site quote, please use the form below or give us a call to get in touch.
I regularly post all of our current lime plastering and lime pointing work across Shropshire and daily updates on Instagram! Give me a follow or check out my page to keep up to date or get touch.
If you’ve noticed cracking in your cob walls, sagging above window openings, or damp patches around a chimney breast, it’s best to address it early before minor movement turns into major structural decay. I am always happy to inspect your property and advise on the most sympathetic, cost-effective repair.
Call Adam Thorne: 07860 882 064
Email: thornesplasteringdevon@gmail.com
Covering: Torrington, Bideford, Barnstaple, Okehampton, Holsworthy, Bude, Chagford, Drewsteignton, Buckland Brewer, Berrynarbor and many more areas within an Hours Radius of Torrington
Three-coat lime plaster systems using traditional non-hydraulic lime mortars.
Improve comfort and thermal performance of older properties whilst maintaining breathability.
Traditional cob repairs and lintel replacements
Breathable repointing for stone and brick buildings using appropriate lime mortars.
Currently Accepting New Projects
Traditional Lime Plastering and Heritage Lime Pointing Services for Devon’s Older Properties.
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