Pea Chalk
Hard white Chalk is sieved and supplied without fines as Pea Chalk 5mm to 1.18mm. It is added to mortars to replicate the unburnt and unmixed particles found in traditional mortars.
Additional information
Our Pea Chalk is a high-purity, naturally rounded calcium carbonate aggregate. Unlike crushed stonedusts, Pea Chalk retains its soft, "water-worn" shape, making it the premier choice for replicating the distinct white-flecked texture found in historic mortars across the chalk Downlands and southern England.
It is particularly valued in conservation for adding "bulk" and body to a mix without the aggressive sharpness of silica sands, ensuring the finished mortar remains soft, sacrificial, and highly breathable.
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Traditional "Fleck" Aesthetic: The rounded white particles create the classic mottled appearance characteristic of regional "chalk-mud" or "lime-and-flint" masonry.
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Chemical Compatibility: Being pure calcium carbonate, it bonds perfectly with lime binders, creating a monolithic and chemically sympathetic repair.
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High Porosity: Enhances the capillary action of the mortar, allowing masonry to "breathe" and dry out effectively after heavy rain.
Availability
<2.36mm - Coarse / Structural: Ideal for heavy bedding, core-filling rubble walls, and wide-joint repointing where a prominent chalk "grit" is desired. <1.18mm - Medium / General: The standard for most repointing work; provides a refined texture that still showcases the natural chalk character. <600um - Fine: Best for second-coat plasters and finer pointing work where a subtle, creamy-white fleck is required.
