Small additions of clay, or iron oxide, or firing above 2000 degrees F, usually slows the speed of the reaction. Slaked lime is mixed with sand to produce lime mortar. Historically, before the development of Portland cement, this mortar held together many masonry structures. The true miracle of slaked lime mortars is that they get stronger with age. Over the span of decades, the mortar slowly reabsorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and again becomes limestone.
Slaked lime is the main ingredient in traditional whitewash.
On the stucco walls of our house, it repairs cracks, increases water resistance, and kills mold and other growths. It is relatively safe for the environment. It is very cheap. Calcium carbonate is occasionally used as wadding to keep pots from sticking to each other. It can be easily removed from fired glaze by slaking.