How to Mix the Perfect Mortar

Mortar is used for binding bricks and blocks together. It is made from hydrated lime, cement and sand. Mixing mortar requires the right selection of materials and a little know-how to obtain the perfect mortar mixture. Additionally, many masonry projects require meticulously prepared mortar for the completion of a professional-looking job. The do-it-yourselfer can mix perfect mortar in 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size and scope of the project, as well as the experience level of the user.

Things You'll Need

• 1/8-inch screen wire
• Plastic tarp
• Wheelbarrow
• Shovel
• Hoe
• Brick sand
• Type N mortar
• Paint mixing bit
• Drill

Instructions

1. Filter brick sand through a 1/8-inch wire screen. Have a helper place sand on the screen while you shake the sand through the screen. Sift the sand onto a plastic tarp to keep rock and debris from mixing in with the newly sifted sand.

2. Filter one bag of Type N mortar through the 1/8-inch wire screen to remove any dried clumps. Wear a dust mask to prevent inhalation of the mortar dust. This dust is caustic and can irritate your lungs.

3. Tap the wheelbarrow pan with a hammer to remove debris and dried-on mortar. Turn the wheelbarrow onto its side, and wash out the contents with a water hose. Tap the wheelbarrow pan once more to ensure it is clean and without mortar or dirt. Wash out the pan once more.

4. Add eight shovels of clean sand to the wheelbarrow. Distribute the sand along the bottom of the wheelbarrow evenly to ensure thorough mixing of the contents.

5. Add four shovels of Type N mortar to the mixture, and mix the contents with a hoe. Stand at the rear of the wheelbarrow with a hoe. Push and pull the sand and mortar with the hoe until the mixture is combined.

6. Add 2 gallons of clean water to the dry sand and mortar. Mix the contents with the hoe, pushing and pulling until you have a pancake batter consistency. Add more water if the mixture is too dry, but no more than 1/4 gallon should be added at a time. Add more sand and mortar in equal proportions to mixture that is too wet, but no more than one shovel of each should be added at a time. Mix the finished ingredients with a paint-mixing bit and a drill. Insert the mixing bit into the wet mortar mix and blend for 10 minutes.

References

• "Masonry Skills"; R.T Kreh; 2002
• "Masonry & Concrete"; Benjamin W. Allen; 1997
• "Building Your Own Home For Dummies"; Kevin Daum, Janice Brewster, Peter Economy; 2005