How to Mortar in Bricks on Steps

Placing the mortar on stairs made of bricks requires advance planning.

Mortar is the glue used to hold bricks and other items together in masonry. Several different types of mortar are available that can be used on steps made of bricks. According to Tim Carter, a nationally syndicated home improvement columnist, the best type of mortar to use for an outside project is one that is high in cement content and can withstand freezing cycles if you live in an area where temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you have the correct mortar, placing it on the brick stairs is relatively easy.

Things You'll Need

• Mortar mix
• Bucket
• Mortar chisel
• Small broom or paintbrush
• Hose with spray nozzle
• Medium pointed trowel
• Small pointed trowel
• Fan
• Large sponge
• Rope or chairs

Instructions

1. Mix the mortar in a bucket according to package directions. If the instructions give you choices, go with the mixture that uses the least amount of water. The more cement in the mixture, the stronger the mortar will be, which is a good option for mortar on high-traffic areas, such as stairs.

2. Remove any old mortar from the bricks using a mortar chisel. Once all large pieces are out, get rid of any small pieces of mortar and dust using a small broom or paintbrush.

3. Spray the bricks with water, using a hose with a spray nozzle attached. You want to wet the bricks completely so they do not soak up the mortar. Keep the hose nearby and rewet the bricks as needed.

4. Place the mortar between the bricks, using a small pointed trowel. Fill in the spaces between the bricks completely with mortar. Use the medium trowel if the narrow one is too small for your space. Do not use a large trowel for stairs -- the spacing between bricks should be no more than 1/2 inch and a large trowel will overfill the area.

5. Smooth the top of the mortar with the medium pointed trowel. The mortar should reach the top of the steps. If your mortar is overflowing, do not worry about it. You will even out the mortar and bricks later in the process.

6. Dry the mortar partially by allowing it to sit. If you are in a rush, place a fan near the stairs and allow air to blow over the mortar. Once the mortar is semidry, wash the top of the stairs with a large sponge and water to remove any excess mortar on the bricks. You will know the mortar is ready for this step when there is a hard crust on top, but you can still push the mortar in with your fingers or a trowel.

7. Cordon off the area with rope or simply place chairs in front of the stairs so no one walks on them until the mortar is completely dry. The drying time will vary depending on your exact mixture, but plan on at least 24 hours until the stairs are ready for walking.

Tips & Warnings

• If rain is expected before the mortar will be completely dry, cover the stairs with plastic painting tarps. Do not allow the tarp to rest directly on the stairs. Place wooden dowels around the outside area of the stairs and attach the tarp to the dowels.

• If you have an excess amount of mortar on the bricks, wait 30 days and then clean the bricks using a mixture of muriatic acid and water, mixing one part acid to 10 parts water. Wear gloves while cleaning. Wash the bricks with water completely after removing the extra mortar.

• Pick a day to mortar your stairs when rain is not expected for several days. If the mortar is exposed to a large amount of water before it is completely dry, you will need to repeat the process.

References

• Ask the Builder: Brick Mortar