Cement and Morter Mix Techniques
bridgetonjim
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Hello,
I’m interested in proper mixing of cement for a ick front porch repair. I have a brick landing 6′ x 10′ and a single step off the front with several bricks that need cement to keep them from falling out. I have a electric cement mixer but want to know how to get the right mix, how many parts water etc?, and what kind of cement mix do I use? Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.
Jimbo
Replies
Hi Jim, I was wondering if you are planning on pouring a cement pad somewhere on those steps or are you planning to remortar the loose bricks back into their original place?
...sitting in his nowhereland.
Hi Jim,
What you need is mortar, not cement.
Go to a supply yard and get a 70 lb. bag of masonary cement.
Dry mix this with 4 five gallon buckets of washed mason sand.
Get yourself a 5 gallon bucket of water and add to the water about a coffee cup full of Acyrl 60, Plastex, whatever it's named locally. It is an acrylic admixture in the color and consistency of milk. This is a great bonding agent for the old bricks.
All this mixed together is called mortar.
Mix enough water into the sand/cement so that if you take a handful of the mix you can make a softball out of it, and it will stick together. Then add just a little bit more water to (don't make it soupy) and let it sit for 10 minutes.
There is a learning curve with this, just remember: you can put more water in, you can't take it out, so go slow
Get yourself a jointer/pointer/slick (tool for inserting mortar in between the bricks) and slowly start stuffing the joints until flush with the tops of the bricks.
Only do a section that you can handle in about 10 minutes. Don't worry about the mortar that might overflow the joints, just don't fuss with it, or try and get it perfect.
When you get done with the 10 minute section, go back to the starting point. If the overflow mortar has dried a bit, see if it can be swept off without making a mess. If not , continue jointing for a few minutes, then come back to it.
After sweeping off the overflow, take the jointer/pointer/slick, and smooth over the rough spots, filling in little divets, etc.
Let dry.
Sweep again.
Viola! Rod
nine shovels of sand to one bag mortar
You say tomatoe, I say tomato
Who cares as long as the end result is the same.
I find it's easier to work out of buckets, especially if you're dealing with smaller mixes.
Which reminds me:
Jim,
A 70 lb. bag of cement will produce way too much mortar to use at one time. Just reduce the size of your mix:
1/2 bag of cement to 2 five gallon buckets of sand, or
1/4 bag of cement to 1 five gallon bucket
Rod
Rod,
Thanks for the info that really helps, 1 ? is there any amount of water per 70lb bag about? I mean you say add as needed but about how much for a 70lb. bag I will add 3/4 of and then check for snow ball packing. So about how much?
Thanks
Jim
Hi Jim,
I'll give ya an "about how much" answer.
Start with one gallon of water.
Mix thoroughly
check mix and add more from there
using dry sand, I would say you'd be close with 3 gallons of water per 70 lb. bag/ 4 five gallon buckets of sand for a pointing mix
For actually laying brick in a bed of mortar, it needs to be wetter, (fluffier?) kinda like a heavier version of cool whip
How'd I do Jeff?
Rod
See what ya get?
Now...internet answer exactly how much water!
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Jeff,
I'm only a novice I know what end of a hammer to use, but its the little things we all need help with. Thank u for the insights into mortar mix this will go a long way to fixing this old house.
Sincerely
Jim from Bridgeton
Jim...my point was....
there's no "right" amount of water. The "right" amount changes based on lotsa variables.
Dry or damp sand. Humidity. Direct sun or shade. Cold or warm weather.
All can come into play....and you can't get a good answer on the water end of it over the internet.
I don't even think you can get a good guestimate on how much water.
The info provided above was a great start. But I'd not even use the net provided amount of water as the starting point for that part of the mix.
Start with way less then you think you'll need.....then slowly add less than half of what you think you'll need again....and again.
Sooner or later....probably sooner...because most overestimate the amount of water needed....and in this case...less is more/better.
Then.....don't expect to use that very same amount if you have to do the work in several batches...because somewhere along the line.....one of the variables will change.....
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Well said.
Rod
thanks Jeff,
I know what u mean. I really appreciate your insight.
Thanks again
Just my 2 cents worth. I agree with Jeff Buck. There are a Bunch of variables to
making mortar. The book gives a formula, I know. The WATER is the biggest
variable! The amount would depend upon each masons preference. I can recall
a Branch Bank addition where we didn't add any water at all and it was usable. Of
course, it was after a rain and the sand pile was on a slab. My point - Mix the
mortar as dry as possible and add the remaining water last. Hint, A little amount
goes a long way! Most newbie's over do the water. Let it all mix a few minutes for
best results.
Kentucky
T U 4 your insight I will do the less is more method for my first brick work.
Jim