Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 04, 2000 05:03pm | #1

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   Could it be that the mortar mix is old (on the "shelf" too long)? Other than that, as Fred says, it's probably the mix. Personally, I prefer to use a product like Brixmix (sp?) masonry cement as then I have control of the sand/cement ratio.

   Or, could it be that your work is being ruined by freezing temperatures?

   One other thought; Only mix what you can use in about 1/2 hr to 45 min (depending on the weather) and do not attempt to "retemper" the mix by adding water.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 04, 2000 08:21pm | #2

   *I've run into the same problem once before.....I doctored the the mix by adding some masonry cement to fix the problem.

2. 
   jeffmi | Feb 06, 2000 09:34am | #3

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   What is your mix design? What kind of brick are you repointing? How much prewetting are you doing? What are the weather conditions? One more, when was the house built or the brick laid up? Give me more detail and maybe I can help.

1. 
   Mike_Orlofsky | Feb 07, 2000 08:50am | #4

   *Yo, The house was built in the mid-1930s, but the brick is older than that because it's obviously recycled material. Most recently, I tried to repoint in 40-degree weather; but I've also tried in the summer heat. Same thing. To prewet, I use a mister like Windex comes in. Tried it light and heavy . . .I notice that the bricks seem to soak up water like a sponge. A few years ago, I did some repointing, but had no problems--didn't do anything special then, just slopped it on. That's what baffles me about this job. the current mortar mix is at least nine months old, stored in the shed. Got the mix at the local hardware--one of those just add water types. Man, I'm stumped. Don't know what you mean though by mix design. Mike.

3. 
   Guest_ | Feb 07, 2000 06:15pm | #5

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   Mike -

   I am certainly no masonry expert, but portland cement is hydroscopic - it absorbs moisture from the air. If the bag of mortar has been sitting around for nine months (and god knows how long at the hardware store), then it is probably no good. I would try buying a new bag, preferably from somewhere that sells a lot, so it will be fairly fresh.

4. 
   Mike_Orlofsky | Feb 08, 2000 06:38am | #6

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   Gang,

   I'll spring for another five bucks and try a fresh bag of mortar mix. I like the vinyl mortar patch too. A lot less hassle. Any down sides to it? I imagine after a while, repointing with it could get expensive. Mike.

1. 
   jeffmi | Feb 10, 2000 07:02am | #7

   *Mike It sounds like what you have is: the bricks are sucking all the water out of your mortar before it cures. If the bricks are taking lots of water, like you could pour a glass of water on the wall at the top and it doesn't hit the ground, you will need to use a garden hose to prewet. What you want is the bricks saturated, but the surface dry. Your weather conditions are fine just be sure that the wall stays moist in the summer heat. Be very careful of using bagged mortar in repointing. You have to remember that the mortar is supposed to be weaker than the masonry unit. I perfer to mix my own from sand, lime and sometimes cement. Thats what I mean by mix design. If your bricks are taking lots of water, they are probably soft bricks and require a soft mortar. Let me know how it turns out. Jeff

5. 
   Mike_Orlofsky | Feb 10, 2000 07:02am | #8

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   Why does the mortar mix turn to sand after I repoint? I've tried moistening the bricks first. No luck. I've tried in high and low humidity. No luck. I've even tried two different types of mix. No luck. Never had this problem before. It's frustrating to scrape out the unhardened mortar time after time. Mike.