Mortar Mix

Masonry work can be undertaken for a number of reasons. It can be undertaken to build a wall, which will hold a roof or it can be undertaken for a framework. Garden walls is something for which one does need to take up masonry project. For doing brickwork, one can either use concrete mix or mortar mix. Let's find out what mortar or concrete mix is in detail.

What is Mortar Mix?

A paste which is used to bind construction blocks together and also to fill in the gaps between two blocks is mortar. The blocks can either be stone blocks, brick blocks, cinder blocks, etc. After mortar is applied between the blocks, you will have to give some time for it to set. When mortar sets in, the structure becomes rigid. The ingredients, which are used to make this mix include cement, lime, sand, gravel and aggregate. It is important to note that concrete mix ratio is different from the mortar mix ratio.

Ingredients

For different mortar mix types, ingredients are mixed in varying proportions. When you go to buy the ingredients, you will have to buy them by weight. However, in the different mortar mix recipes, the ingredients are mentioned using volume. In other words, some calculations will have to be carried out to get the right quantity, which will ensure you do not run short of any of the ingredients.

Cement
Cement is sold in bags of different sizes. Since cement often goes bad very soon, buy cement only as much as you need. Besides the regularly available cement, you may also come across different varieties of cement. One of them is the quick drying cement. This should only be used, when you are in a hurry, else it is best to use regular cement.

Lime
Lime serves a specific purpose in the mortar mix. When cement is mixed with lime, the quantity of water drawn into the bricks reduces, due to which cement does not dry out quickly and shrink. In the market, you will come across three different types of lime, namely hydraulic, non hydraulic and semi hydraulic. For setting hydraulic lime, use of water is necessary. Non hydraulic lime has to dry out for it to harden. The semi hydraulic lime has a combination of both hydraulic and non hydraulic lime. For using hydraulic lime, remove it from the bag and use it immediately, while the other two should be soaked in water overnight before it is used. Drain excess water from the soaked lime and combine it with sand and then add cement to it.

Sand
Soft sand is a type of sand used to make mortar mix. This sand is also known as builders sand. One can use soft sand for building foundations, bricklaying mortar, paving slabs, wall rendering. As the name suggests, this sand has a smooth texture and not to forget cohesive properties. The second type of sand, which can be used for mortar mix is the sharp sand. Unlike the soft sand, it is gritty to feel. It is often used in different concrete mix ratio as well as in basement flooring or flooring of any kinds and not to forget for rendering walls. Do not interchange one sand for the other. For a durable mortar, it is best to sieve sand before it is used.

Gravel
Small stones in varying sizes used in office and home construction is gravel. It is also one of the ingredient in different concrete mixes. Gravel is available in different grades. The size of the gravel stones decides the grade of the gravel.

Aggregate
The other name of this building material is ballast. It is actually a mixture of fine sand and small gravel stones. Depending on the size of the gravel, aggregate is graded.

Formula

When you are using mortar for masonry, it is important you use the right mortar mix ratio. It is this ratio, which has an important role to play in home improvements. The table given below will tell you the accurate ratio.

Purpose	Cement	Lime	Sand	Aggregate
Laying bricks, pointing and general purposes	1 part	1 part	5 parts*	~~~~~
Paving stone, patio slabs	1 part	~~~~	4 parts**	~~~~~
Garden Walls	1 part	~~~~~	~~~~~	5 parts
Building below the ground	1 part	1 part	5 parts*	~~~~~

^{* - soft sand
** - sharp sand}

Now with this information on mortar mix, you can undertake your home improvement work with ease. You will not have to run back and forth for information. Before I end this write up, just a word of caution. Ensure you use hand gloves and cover your eyes, when you are doing masonry to avoid any injuries or allergies.