How to Use Mortar to Set Pavers
Over the years pavers have normally been set in a bed of sand. However, this type of installation creates more problems than it solves. The pavers will move over time and sink deeper into the sand. Recently, though, the construction industry has started setting pavers with mortar, which is stronger and more durable. You can set pavers using mortar in one to two days, depending on the size and scope of the project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Type S mortar
- Four-foot level
- Framing square
- Brick sand
- Five-gallon bucket
- Wheel barrow
- Hoe
- 1/2-inch notched trowel
- Grout bag
Instructions
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Mix the mortar. Open a sack of type S mortar and pour half of the bag into a wheel barrow, and add in eight shovels of brick sand. Mix the dry ingredients together with a hoe, and pour 2.5 gallons of water into the mixture. Continue to mix the mortar with a hoe until you have a pancake batter consistency. As you work with the mortar, it may become stiff as it sets in the wheel barrow. Just add small amounts of water and remix with the hoe.
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Place one shovel full of mortar onto the concrete base. Spread the mortar out onto the concrete using a 1/2-inch notched trowel, applying a four-by-four foot area of mortar mud. The notched trowel will create groves in the mortar, which will help with setting the pavers into the mud. Don't allow the mortar to set longer than 15 minutes as it will become hard.
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Press the pavers into the wet mud bed. Place 1/2-inch tile spacers in between the pavers so that they are spaced correctly. These spacers can be easily removed once the pavers have dried. After you have laid the first four-by-four foot area, use a four-foot hand level to level the pavers. Use a framing square to square up the area before you proceed. Continue to lay the pavers in divided sections until you have completed the project and allow them to set for 24 hours.
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Remove the spacers from the pavers and grout in the joints using a grout bag and type S mortar. Mix the mortar the same way, but add a little more water so that the mixture is a bit more wet. This will help you squeeze it out of the grout bag easier. The grout bag resembles a cake decorator bag. You must fill the bag from the top and squeeze the bag to force the mortar out a small tip on the end. Place the tip into the paver joints, and fill the joints flush with the top of the pavers. Once the mortar has set for 30 minutes, smooth the joints with a 1/2-inch masonry thumb jointer. Allow the pavers to set for 24 hours and clean them with a stiff bristled brush and washing powders.
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References
- Photo Credit old brick wall with half distroyed brick image by Cherry-Merry from Fotolia.com
