Australian Builders Hydrated Lime – Versatile Building and Agricultural Product

Australian Builders Hydrated Lime: Versatile Lime for Building, Garden & Agricultural Use

Australian Builders Hydrated Lime is a fine white powder (calcium hydroxide) made by slaking quicklime with water. It's a genuinely multi-purpose product, used across building, garden and agricultural jobs, and it's easy to handle and mix straight from the bag.

In the building trade it's best known for what it does to mortar and render. Added to a cement and sand mix, hydrated lime improves workability and plasticity, strengthens brick joints, and gives a more durable, longer-lasting result. It also helps the mortar hold water so you're not constantly re-wetting the mix, which means well-filled joints, better-bedded bricks and faster laying. Its slight flexibility lets joints absorb vibration and minor settlement without cracking.

Beyond construction, the same lime is used for whitewashing, tree spraying, water treatment, livestock sanitation, pollution treatment, and as a flux in steel production, as well as in gardens and lawns.

Uses at a Glance

• Building: mortar and render mixes for stronger, more workable, longer-lasting joints

• Whitewashing: traditional breathable lime wash for walls and fences

• Garden and lawn: raises soil pH on acidic soils (use sparingly, see below)

• Tree spraying: used in horticultural lime treatments

• Agricultural: livestock sanitation and odour control

• Industrial: water treatment, pollution treatment and steel production flux

Using Hydrated Lime in the Garden

Hydrated lime will raise the pH of acidic soil, but it's far more reactive and caustic than ordinary garden lime (calcium carbonate). Because it's stronger, you need much less of it, and it's easy to over-apply. Always test your soil first, apply lightly, and keep it away from acid-loving plants. For routine garden liming, many gardeners prefer standard garden lime, which is gentler and harder to overdo.

Safety

Hydrated lime is caustic and is classified as hazardous. It can irritate or burn skin and eyes, so wear gloves, eye protection and a dust mask, and avoid creating airborne dust when handling it. Keep it out of drains, stormwater and natural waterways. Always read and follow the safety directions printed on the pack.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight, and keep the bag or container sealed so the lime stays dry and effective.

Key Features & Benefits

• Multi-purpose calcium hydroxide for building, garden, agricultural and industrial use

• Improves mortar workability, plasticity, joint strength and durability

• Reduces the need to re-water mortar mixes

• Suitable for whitewashing, tree spraying and water treatment

• Raises soil pH on acidic soils when used sparingly

• Fine, dry powder that's easy to mix and apply

• Available in 1kg, 2kg, 4kg and 20kg, shipped Australia-wide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Australian Builders Hydrated Lime made of?
It's calcium hydroxide, a fine white powder produced by slaking quicklime (calcium oxide) with water. It typically contains around 85 to 90% calcium hydroxide.

What is hydrated lime used for?
It's used in mortar and render mixes, whitewashing, tree spraying, gardens and lawns, water treatment, livestock sanitation, pollution treatment and as a flux in steel production.

Can I use hydrated lime in the garden?
Yes, but with care. It raises soil pH quickly and is more caustic than ordinary garden lime, so you need much less and should apply it sparingly after a soil test. For everyday garden liming, standard garden lime (calcium carbonate) is gentler and easier to use.

What's the difference between hydrated lime and garden lime?
Garden lime is calcium carbonate, which is mild and slow-acting. Hydrated lime is calcium hydroxide, which is stronger, faster-acting and caustic. Hydrated lime is mainly a building product that can also be used in the garden, while garden lime is made for soil.

How much hydrated lime do I add to mortar?
It's commonly added to cement and sand mixes to improve workability and durability. Follow the mix ratio on the pack or your project specification for the correct proportion.

Is hydrated lime safe to handle?
It's caustic and classified as hazardous, so it can irritate or burn skin and eyes. Wear gloves, eye protection and a dust mask, avoid breathing in the dust, and keep it out of waterways. Read the safety directions on the pack before use.

What sizes does it come in?
It's available in 1kg, 2kg, 4kg and 20kg, with the 20kg bag suited to building work and larger jobs.

Where can I buy hydrated lime in Australia?
 You can buy it online from BPG Supplies in 1kg to 20kg packs, with delivery available Australia-wide.