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Will be installing brick floors in kitchen/keeping area of my soon to be new home. Know what is involved but was wondering the best way to mortar the joints after the bricks have set.
I am thinking a masonary bag (simular to a baker’s pastry bag) or just pouring mortar over the floor and work it in with a rubber float … as you would with grout on ceramic tile. Any information would be appreciated.
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use the mortar bag...
i toyed with the idea of sealing my stone patio with brick border before mortaring, but didn't.
you may find yourself looking for some dilute muriatic acid before all is said and done.
what would be the recommendations for sealers?
brian
*For brick paving the normal method of filling the joints is to mix a semi-dry mix of about 4:1 sand:cement and sweep it into the joints. Then go over the area with a watering-can with a fine rose head and water it in and as it is internal I'd follow up by 'tooling' the joints with a jointer to give a more closed texture.Cover with a plastic sheet for 5-7 days.
*Ian,By semi-dry are you saying just enough to keep dust down? I know how hard it is to get mortar off bricks ...... like the idea.
*What would be the disadvantages of not filling the joints ? Well, I can think of several reasons, but for some interior locations that's probably a reasonable option, especially if you use bricks that don't have spacer nibs.The bricks could be removed a lot easier for getting to something underneath or replacing with another surface.
*In CA we commonly use the "grout bags"...it allows you control of the areas your working and requires less of the sponge an h2o, too much h2o will cause effloresing (spelling).....break out the knee pads....good luck
*Why brick? I mean, you're not going to be driving cars into the kitchen, are you? Wouldn't a brick-like tile suffice and be easier to install? I don't understand this desire to make life tougher than it need be.
*Jim,The specification for semi-dry here is that when you take a handful of the mix and squeeze it, it stays as a lump but leaves your hand clean and dry.We use a soft bristle yard broom to sweep it in to the joints and you're right -- the bricks stay a lot cleaner.The joints are usually set to be 1/2" -- a little wider than normal.
*Ian, after you clarified what "semi-dry" actually meant, what you say makes a lot of sense and is consistent what other brick layers told me. I could see this being a mess if the mortar mix was too wet and got all over the bricks ... lots of sponge work and muratic acid. Thanks Ian for the help.
*After about 800 SF of laying bricks on my hands & knee's, I'll need lots of Advil.Thanks to all who responded.
*We have 50 year old brick floors in our entry, living room and breakfast room. I didn't have to install them but I'm sure glad someone did, way back when. I think brick-like tile floors look like brick-like tile floors. :-)
*Lisa, you're right on about the brick pavers. They just don't have the same look as old "real" brick.
Just in case you're still around: I just read your old posting about your brick floors. We will soon be putting in brick floors throughout the house (not in bathroom or utility room). What sealer do you use. Any advice on cleaning or maintenance?