Replies

1. 
   Craig_Turner | Jul 26, 1999 07:10am | #1

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   ML:

   I'm no mason, but I ran into the same situation you have last year. You just have to mix that mortar very soupy to get it to flow through the grout bag, too wet and it falls out, too dry and you get a small bit out then it clogs.

   I was using a premix, but if I had to do it again I'd either make a richer mixture by hand or maybe add some extra portland cement to the premix to make up for the weakening effect of all that water.

   Just like all the trades, practice makes perfect.

   Good luck

   Craig Turner

2. 
   Guest_ | Jul 26, 1999 08:30am | #2

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   M.L.;

   #1 Don't use ready-mix mortar. It is not rich
   enough and often contains too coarse aggregate.
   Mix clean, fine mason's sand up to two to one with
   masonry cement or mortar. You shouldn't have to
   make it soupy.
   #2 Don't use a bag with a metal tip. Use a
   flexible tip such that you can mash up clogs and
   change the shape to fit into the joint.
   #3 Guide the tip with you front hand. Don't
   squeeze at the tip. Squeeze only from the back of
   the bag.
   #4 Allow mortar to set to the point that you can
   make a fingerprint in it and then tool joints with
   a jointer.

   You may butter your bricks individually if you
   like. The grout bag is much, much faster. I hope
   this is not going to be subject to freezing. Then
   you'd be in for some trouble.

   Happy grouting

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 27, 1999 03:35am | #3

   *ML:There was a good discussion back in April of '99 about this. The topic title was something about "Mortar Guns". Use the search function.

3. 
   Dallas | Jul 27, 1999 07:02am | #4

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   ML, we use a mortar gun a lot, but not for a bricks on ground. Never could figure out why anyone would want to set their bricks in concrete on ground and mortar them. What will you do if(excuse me-when) you have to repair/replace one? or two? Ask you r local brick supplier for addresses of current commerical projects and go take a look. Unless you live on the east coast.

4. 
   ml_ | Jul 27, 1999 07:02am | #5

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   I just laid a small section of walkway brick, and tried to use a grout bag as I saw someone (who knew what he was doing) once do.

   I had a big problem getting the grout (cement mortar) to come out of the bag unless I mixed it very soupy -- much more so than seems correct.

   What am I doing wrong? Why use a grout bag at all? Why not just butter the bricks when setting them in place?

   I'd sure appreciate some pointers, as I have a whole lot more to do. Right now, I'm setting the bricks in fresh "mud" (concrete), and grouting later. Is this the best way to go?