The basis of the mortar for masonry are binders and filler. Thanks to these components of the composition, the mixture is able to firmly fix the bricks in one position. At a sufficient level of viscosity, the binding capacity of the mass remains unchanged for many decades.

The main components of the mixture, as a rule, are:

• sand (filler);
• cement or lime (binder).

In order for the finished mass to meet all the requirements, the sand must be thoroughly cleaned of various debris. A mixture based exclusively on pure sand can be considered safe.

Mixing mortar for bricklaying is an extremely serious matter. If any instructions are violated during the preparation process, the strength and safety of the building cannot be guaranteed.

For clarity, for example, in ancient buildings and temples, unusual solutions were used, whose composition is still little known. Many of these buildings stood for many hundreds, or even thousands of years. Of course, to achieve such strength it is necessary to devote sufficient time to creating the solution.

Cooking rules

To answer the question: how to mix mortar for bricklaying, you first need to familiarize yourself with some rules.

1. The sand must be thoroughly sifted before mixing. Only clean sand is ideal for the role of filler, which, together with the binder component, will form an ideal mixture.
2. The amount of cement added to the solution determines the mobility and elasticity of the mixture. Typically, different situations require different amounts of the constituent components in unique proportions.
3. The filler of the mixture can be not only sand, but also lime or clay. The plasticity of such a mass increases significantly, and the process of using the solution will be greatly simplified. However, this mixture is not recommended for use, for example, when laying special bricks with cavities. In this case, the mixture will flow into the cavity, which will certainly reduce the thermal insulation, strength and other characteristics of the building.

When preparing the solution, do not forget that without proper responsibility you will not be able to achieve a good result. If unsuccessful, it is recommended to get rid of the bad mixture and make a new solution.

Varieties

Before proceeding to the final solution to the question: how to dilute mortar for bricklaying, it is necessary to understand its varieties. Each type of mixture typically has its own characteristics and unique instructions for use.

In total, there are three types of masonry mortar:

• lime;
• cement;
• lime-cement.

The lime mixture has minimal strength, however, demonstrates impeccable warmth and ductility. Prepare this type of solution from:

• quicklime (ground);
• lime dough;
• purified sand.

The cement mixture has two main components: sand and cement. Such a mass is excessively cold, has minimal mobility and, regardless of the type of cement, has excessive rigidity.

Lime-cement mass is a mixture of cement and lime paste. This mixture demonstrates excellent ductility and strength. The solution is rightfully considered the best and is suitable for use in various situations.

Marking

Often, mortar for bricklaying is divided by brand. The following markings exist:

• 100, 150, 200 - used in special work;
• 4, 10, 25, 50, 75 - most in demand in construction;
• 0, 2 - they are extremely rarely used.

The importance of the marking is determined by the fact that the assigned number directly indicates the strength of the hardened mass. The strength is tested by powerfully compressing cubes of the dried mixture.

Also during the marking process the degree of mobility of the mixture is determined. Calculations are carried out by immersing a special cone into the finished mass - the deeper it goes, the more mobile the mixture is considered.

For hollow bricks, the optimal level of mobility is 7-8. Solid brick requires high mobility, equal to 9-10.

Among other things, it is worth taking into account the air temperature during construction, at a high level of which a unique solution with a much higher mobility of 12-14 may be required.

Of course, each individual case may require unique composition mobility. To avoid any mistakes associated with this, it is recommended to use a mixture of medium mobility (10-12).

Proportions and composition

The mixture is usually prepared depending on the circumstances of the construction site. Proportions are determined from the type of soil, number of storeys and type of building.

When constructing one-story buildings, lime mortar with particularly high lightness and adhesiveness is used. When mixing such a mass, lime and sand are used in a ratio of 1:4.

Cement mortar is used when the thickness of the masonry is more than 0.25 meters. In such a mixture, the main components are sand and cement in different proportions (3:1-6:1). The ratio of components in this mixture depends solely on the technical characteristics of the building being erected.

It is worth noting that all knowledge about how to make mortar for bricklaying will come with experience.

Mixing the mass for masonry occurs in two stages:

• all dry components of the mixture are mixed;
• Pure, exclusively cold water is poured in.

The mortar requires 0.8 part liquid per part cement. This ratio is ideal for any cement-sand mixture. By observing these proportions, difficulties associated with using the solution can be avoided in the future.

Preparation

The final answer to the question: how to mix mortar for bricklaying can be obtained by reading the instructions below. Of course, all the prescriptions are made with the emphasis that the recipe for the mortar for laying bricks has already been determined.

1. In full accordance with the prescribed ratio and proportions, it is necessary to prepare the required building materials: sand, water, cement and slaked lime. Of course, in each individual case it is possible to exclude any component.
2. It is necessary to mix all the dry ingredients, taking into account the correct ratio of the mortar for laying bricks. It is extremely important to thoroughly mix all the dry ingredients and only then pour in cold water.
3. Pour in clean and cold water only. It is also worth considering that after contact with water, the shelf life of the solution is significantly reduced to one and a half to two hours. The process of adding water should be leisurely with constant stirring.

The mass for laying bricks is considered ready only when the mixture takes on the appearance of melted butter. At the end of the batch, you can safely begin construction work, given that the shelf life of the mixture is limited to 2 hours.

Consumption

Before mixing the mortar, it is extremely important to correctly calculate the required amount for the brickwork. One square meter of masonry one brick thick requires about 75 liters of mixture. A masonry of one square meter with a thickness of one and a half bricks requires about 115 liters of mixture.

Additionally

All necessary calculations can be done independently without the involvement of specialists. For these purposes, you need to carefully read the above instructions for the ratio of components.

If any problems arise during the mixing process, all building materials should be checked for suitability. It is also recommended to refer to the instructions: how to prepare mortar for laying bricks.

In case of deviation from the norm, the building materials must be replaced and the solution must be mixed again. The strength and durability of the future building depends entirely on the correct mixture.

All building materials and tools should be prepared in advance, before kneading begins.

A small amount of the mixture can be made manually using a convenient container. If a large amount of building mass is required at once, it is recommended to use a concrete mixer.

Many people know how to prepare mortar for laying bricks. But not everyone knows how to do it correctly and so that the cost of masonry does not exceed the price of the brick itself. Often, a cement or limestone mixture is used as adhesive elements. Sand is used as a filler, which must be as clean and light as possible, without additional impurities, debris, remnants of the root system of plants, grass and other vegetation. In the construction industry, air- or water-hardening materials are used.

The preparation of a binder product is a very important process on which the strength and safety of the constructed structure depends. If violations are allowed, over time the masonry will begin to collapse and the structure itself will begin to sag. There is hardly any need to clarify what this could lead to.

What types of solutions are there?

Before you start preparing the product yourself, you should study the composition of the masonry mortar and its main types, which differ in technical characteristics.

At the moment there are three main types of mixture:

Cement mortar for bricklaying

Consists of components such as clean, white sand and a cement product. This building material is characterized by a low degree of plasticity, low mobility and is listed in the category of cold components. Regardless of the manufacturer, the cement product is considered too hard and is therefore rarely used.

It is made from a warm, plastic, quicklime product and sand. In terms of strength indicators they are inferior to cement.

If it is difficult to decide on the type, you can safely settle on a combined one, which has all the advantages inherent in the cement and limestone components. The elements are great for almost all types of bricks.

First of all, you need to carry out preliminary preparation of the sand, remove all unnecessary elements and sift it. Only pure, homogeneous material, when mixed with other components, can create an astringent effect.

Types of sand

If you add more cement to the composition, the level of plasticity and mobility will increase.

Sand, clay or limestone material can be used as a filling element. The last two are elastic, but they cannot be used in all cases, for example, in the process of laying bricks with cavities. Over time, they will absorb moisture, as a result of which walls and partitions will lose their thermal insulation properties.

To increase the volume of the solution and qualitatively improve its characteristics, fillers are included. And if only sand (preferably river sand) is suitable for laying bricks, then to install monolithic structures you need to use crushed stone, gravel, expanded clay, perlite, etc.

Porous fillers (slag, expanded clay) are needed to increase the thermal insulation of the entire structure. In this case, the maximum diameter of the filler should not exceed 15-20 mm, so as not to reduce the adhesion of the composition.

The most important component of mass is water. It is she who acts as a connecting element and provides the necessary connection. Its quality and quantity are determined by GOST 23732-2011.

To improve properties the following components can be added:

• elastic plasticizers - facilitate application of the composition, increase density and increase resistance to deformation;
• hardeners - used to accelerate polymerization;
• anti-frost additives - stop the freezing process of water during winter work and maintain the hydration of the substance;
• pigments are decorative additives for giving masonry a certain color.

The brand of cement used for mixing shows how many kilograms 1 cubic cm of cement mortar can hold.

Currently, product classifications of the following series are widely used:

• 0-2 - rarely used.
• 4, 10, 25, 50, 75 are the most popular brands.
• 100, 150, 200 - are used in the process of erecting specific structures.

The series is assigned after checking the rate of hardening of the product and compression.

It is prohibited to use the latest grade of cement (from F200 and above) when mixing a solution with frost resistance requirements without air-entraining additives (plasticizers).

The more cement is added, the better the astringent properties, but an excess of it is fraught with rapid hardening of the solution

The correct texture has a certain degree of movement, which is important for construction processes. The value of mobility is determined by practical research. A special cone is immersed into a recently prepared product; if the element sinks far into the depths, the mixture has an increased degree of mobility, but the lower the immersion, the worse the elasticity of the components. It is advisable to carry out such an experiment every time a new portion is mixed.

VIDEO: Preparation of mortar for bricklaying

Composition and table of proportions of sand and cement

The proportions of mortar for bricklaying can be calculated based on the following criteria:

• how many floors are planned to be built in the building;
• the purpose of the building being manufactured;
• the type of soil on which the house will be built, etc.

If you need to build a one-story cottage, then you can use a limestone-type product, which is lightweight and has a high degree of adhesion. The most optimal ratio is considered to be 4:1.

Cement mixture is needed when constructing walls whose thickness does not exceed 250 mm. When mixing, components such as sand and cement are added in proportions of 3-6:1. The amount of the first element depends on the purpose of the structure being erected and the manufacturer of the cement mixture.

For buildings built from fire-resistant building materials, which are subsequently expected to be subjected to intense exposure to elevated temperatures, a special binder is used, consisting of sand, clay, a fire-resistant component, and fireclay powder. Often used for the construction of fireplaces or stoves.

Series, kgf/cm 2		Optimal ratio proportions (sand, cement)

How to knead correctly?

Let's look at the recipe and steps on how to properly mix mortar for bricklaying.

1. It is necessary to prepare the components from which the cement product will be produced - sand, water, cement, limestone element.
2. Next, mix all the main ingredients in the required proportions and dry. Next, a little fireclay powder is added to increase the level of plasticity.
3. Gradually add water to the mixture and mix thoroughly until smooth. It is important to remember that after 1.5-2 hours, mixing mortar for bricklaying loses its technical characteristics and begins to harden.

Calculation of component consumption

Preparation of the solution

One of the most popular ways to prepare a mortar for laying bricks is considered to be a combined cement-sand type.

For 1 square meter of brick wall, with a thickness of one standard brick, up to 80 liters of liquid mixture are intended. If the masonry needs to be carried out with a thickness of one and a half bricks, more than 110 l/m2 will be consumed.

Regardless of the fact that the building materials market in our time is overflowing with various mixtures for carrying out work on the construction of houses, a cement product prepared by hand is still not inferior to them in its technical features.

It should also be remembered that any work related to the construction of any structures should be done in the summer. Thus, the construction of a small cottage can be completed by winter.

The main advantages of the cement component include easy availability, low cost of its components and the ability to use it with low-grade brick material.

The only disadvantages are that special tools are required to prepare the mixture; when laying, a large layer thickness is obtained and after drying the material requires subsequent treatment with decorative cladding.

VIDEO: How to lay a brick correctly. How to make perfect seams

A high-quality brick mortar will provide the building with the necessary strength and durability. There are several options for producing a binder that a private developer can successfully use.

The reliability and durability of the brickwork depends on the quality of the mortar.

Brick mortar is in demand at every construction site. To mix the composition in large volumes, you will need a concrete mixer. If the binder is needed for cosmetic repairs, a small amount will suffice. In this case, the kneading is done with your own hands.

The mixture for laying bricks consists of several components:

• binder;
• water;
• sand;
• filler.

The first is cement, clay or lime. Clay-based compositions are suitable for use much longer than cement-based mixtures. Lime mortar has lower strength than cement and clay mortar.

The sand for the solution should be medium-grained and obtained from a quarry. River sand is not suitable, since the grains of sand in it are too small, so they will cause the fragility of the masonry. Various materials are used as filler:

• crushed stone;
• gravel;
• sawdust;
• pine needles;
• expanded clay;
• slag (waste from metallurgical production);
• straw.

Depending on the type of filler, different types of concrete are obtained: sawdust concrete, slag concrete, expanded clay concrete. An important criterion for the quality of mortar for bricklaying is plasticity. To achieve this, special additives are added: plasticizers. You can use those offered by the retail chain. But you can use less expensive, but no less effective means.

These include washing powder and liquid glass. The latter will make the composition not only elastic, but also water-repellent. But the most economical way is to use inexpensive washing powder. In the recent past, builders ensured the flexibility of masonry mortar by adding PVA glue to it. But at present this method is considered obsolete.

To mix it yourself, without using a concrete mixer, you will need the following:

• kneading container;
• shovel;
• bucket;
• metal mesh for sifting sand.

The cement-sand mixture can be prepared with or without filler. Compounds without filler are suitable for laying walls. The brand of solution depends on the type of binder used. Traditionally, M400 grade cement is used for masonry. His other brands are also suitable: M300, M500.

Types of mortars for bricklaying

Since a properly prepared solution ensures speed and quality of work, its mixing is approached with all responsibility. Which cement to choose is decided based on the construction tasks. The cost of the binder is included in the estimate.

Builders believe that the best cement for bricklaying is M400. It has all the properties necessary for high-quality construction:

• optimal hardening speed;
• frost resistance;
• moisture resistance;
• good compressive and bending strength.

A brick mortar based on it provides the walls with the strength required by SNiP.

A high-quality mixture can only be obtained if a concrete mixer is used.

The technique will ensure the necessary envelopment of every grain of sand with cement. When adding the ingredients of the composition to the concrete mixer, it is necessary to observe the proportions of the mortar for bricklaying.

Methods for preparing building mixtures

There are several ways to obtain a high-quality composition. For hand-made batches use the following:

• sift the sand;
• sand and cement are poured into the container in layers (the height of the “bed” should be no more than 30 cm);
• use a shovel to mix the contents of the container;
• the resulting mixture is sifted through a 3x3 mm mesh;
• add water to the container in small portions, constantly stirring the composition;
• achieve a creamy consistency;
• During kneading, a plasticizer or frost-resistant additives can be added to the composition.

Mixing using a concrete mixer

A high-quality mortar for bricklaying is prepared in the following proportions:

• 4 parts sifted quarry sand;
• 1 part of cement grade M400;
• water.

Bulk materials are measured in buckets. First of all, cement is poured into the concrete mixer. Then sand is added. Turn on the hopper and mix the materials for several minutes. Without turning off the concrete mixer, they begin to pour water into it. Its quantity should be such that a mixture of medium density is obtained: when squeezed in a fist, no liquid should come out of it. Cement mortar is traditionally used for laying foundations and load-bearing walls made of red brick.

Clay and lime mortars

The clay-based masonry composition is in many ways similar to that used to make bricks. Better strength indicators can be achieved with clay of medium fat content. The day before use it is soaked. Construction mixture proportions:

• 1 part clay;
• 2-4 parts of sifted sand;
• water (to the required mixture thickness).

If you add 100 kg of Portland cement per 1 m³ of clay composition, the strength of the masonry will increase by 2-2.5 times. Clay mixtures prepared in a ratio of 1:2 or 1:4 are often used for the construction of ground elements of a building made of ceramic bricks.

Composition of the lime-clay mixture:

• 1 part lime;
• 0.5 parts clay;
• 5 parts sand;
• water.

The cooking process is similar to the previous ones: first mix the dry and least wet ingredients. In this case it is lime and sand. Then add clay and lastly water. During the process of adding the components, the composition is continuously mixed.

To prepare lime mortar you will need lime paste or quicklime crushed lime. This ingredient is mixed with sifted quarry sand. Then water is added in small portions. If lime paste was used, water may not be needed.

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Proportions:

• 1 part lime;
• 2-5 parts sand;
• water.

The strength of this composition is 2 kgf/cm². The inclusion of a higher quality binder: cement will help increase it. To obtain a strength of 8 kgf/cm², it is necessary to add 85-100 kg of Portland cement per 1 m³ of composition. Lime mortar is traditionally used for laying sand-lime bricks. After drying, the composition acquires a whitish tint, which significantly improves the appearance of the masonry.

Additional Information

High-quality masonry can be done only if there is a mobile and elastic solution. Cement-based compositions must be developed within 1-1.5 hours. The cement brand will indicate the strength of the solution. If M400 is selected, then 1 cm² of the composition can withstand a load weighing up to 400 kg.

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It is customary to distinguish between lean, normal and fatty building mixtures. Normal ones are suitable for the construction of walls and foundations. They have an optimal balance of binder and filler. Working with such mixtures is easy and convenient.

Preparing mortar for brickwork has never been considered a complex construction operation, and in teams this work is performed by the youngest and most inexperienced. But errors in its execution are immediately apparent to professionals, and eliminating them does not require much time or much effort.

Basic requirements for the prepared solution

A properly prepared mixture for laying bricks must meet certain requirements. There are only three of them, but failure to comply with even one of them makes high-quality masonry impossible. Firstly, the mixture must be sufficiently plastic. This is important, since the quality of filling irregularities and voids in the brickwork depends on its plasticity.

Secondly, the setting time must be optimal. If the prepared mixture hardens too quickly, it will be impossible to use it for masonry. Cement-based mixtures retain their plasticity for 1.5-2 hours, and when lime is added to them, this period increases to 5 hours. Thirdly, maintaining sufficient strength after complete hardening. If the frozen mixture is not strong enough, the laid masonry will most likely become deformed.

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Main components of the solution

Various types of mortars are used to fix bricks in masonry. But they are all prepared using similar technology. The composition of any mortar for bricklaying must include a binder, filler (usually sand is used for these purposes) and water. They differ only in the astringent component. If necessary, for better plasticity and viscosity, clay, PVA glue or other additives are sometimes added to the mixture being prepared.

The following can be used as a binder for preparing the solution:

• lime;
• cement;
• cement-lime mixture.

Brick mortar using lime is almost never used. Lime makes it warmer, but it is also the main reason for the lack of strength of the mixture. The only places where bricks can be laid with lime mortar are stove foundations and brick chimney pipes. Depending on the fat content of the lime, the proportions of the bricklaying mortar can vary from 1:2 to 1:5 (1 part lime to 2-5 parts sand).

Cement-based bricklaying mortar has been and remains the most popular among amateur masons. Although it is the coldest and hardest of all three types, it is also the most durable of them. The plasticity of a cement mixture depends on the amount of cement in it. The proportions of cement and sand, depending on the brand of cement and the requirements for masonry walls, can vary over a wide range: from 1:2 to 1:5.

Unlike amateurs, professionals prefer cement-lime mixtures. Due to the presence of lime milk in their composition, they are warmer and more flexible than purely cement ones, but remain strong enough, which makes it possible to use them for almost any type of brickwork.

Their only drawback is that they cannot be used in conditions of high humidity. The optimal ratio of cement, lime and sand for M25 mortar is 1:1:4; for a solution of grade M50 – 1:0.5:4.5.

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Technology for high-quality solution preparation

The main secret of a high-quality solution is in the correctly selected proportion of mixing its components. To prepare the masonry mortar you will need the usual tools:

• large capacity for mixing components;
• buckets (can be old, but always clean);
• shovel;
• Master OK.

If large volumes of brickwork are expected and a team of builders will be involved, then it is advisable to use a concrete mixer as a container for preparing the mortar; it will save you from the hard monotonous work of mixing manually.

But if the amount of work is small and you intend to do it yourself, then it is still better to prepare the mixture by hand. The setting time of the vast majority of cement mortars for brickwork is 1.5-2 hours; if you prepare even half a concrete mixer of the mortar, you still will not have time to use it in the allotted time, therefore, you will waste materials and time on preparation.

Before starting preparation, the sand must be prepared for use, i.e. sift, cleaning it as much as possible from debris and foreign impurities. It is best to use river sand, but regular quarry sand will also work, as long as it is of a fine fraction, no more than 2.5 mm.

Then sand and cement are poured into the container for preparing the solution in buckets in the required proportions. If you do not know the exact required proportion, then it is better to start with the most common one - 1:4 (1 bucket of cement and 4 sand).

By filling 4 10-liter buckets of sand and 1 identical bucket of cement, you will end up with not 50 liters of the mixture, but only 40, since the cement will fill the space between the grains of sand, but will not increase their volume. In the future, by increasing the proportion of sand or cement, you can always adjust the prepared solution to the plasticity you need.

First, cement and sand are thoroughly mixed by hand until a homogeneous mass is obtained, after which the resulting mixture is mixed with water. The average water use is approximately 0.8 liters per 1 kg of cement. But these figures are not accurate; the amount of water added to the cement-sand mixture is usually determined during the preparation of the mixture, adding liquid little by little until the prepared solution reaches the desired consistency.

To mix the mixture, you need clean water, preferably at room temperature (15-20º). The mixture must be thoroughly mixed the entire time you add water. Do not miss this nuance, since sand, as the heaviest component of the mixture being prepared, will always settle to the bottom of the container, squeezing up the water in the mixture. A properly prepared mixture should resemble thick homemade sour cream in appearance.

Knowing all the nuances of preparing masonry mortar, you can easily prepare it yourself, without resorting to the help, and far from free of charge, from construction companies. The main thing is not to deviate from the right technology and not to give up after a possible failure.

The most common building material is brick. This traditional material does not lose its relevance even today. Structures built from brick have a number of properties. It has found application in the construction of residential buildings, interior partitions, fences, and basements. Some types of bricks can withstand high temperatures and are used in smelting furnaces; others have high strength and are used to build load-bearing walls or foundations. But to build brickwork, one important component is needed that holds each brick together. The reliability and visual appeal of the masonry will depend on its quality. So how to choose the correct proportions of mortar for bricklaying?

Any mortar for brickwork consists of aggregate with a binder. The main components of all solutions are three components:

• Cement (binder);
• Quartz sand (filler);
• Purified water.

The proportion of these components changes the properties of the mixture. Quality is of greater importance, for example, the quality of water is often not paid attention to, but to mix a high-quality solution you need clean water, without foreign components, without dirt, oils or emulsions. In practice, it is better to use well water or settled pipe water. Water temperature matters. In summer, you can use “room temperature” water, but in winter it should be heated.

What determines the quality of the solution?

The quality of the mixture depends even more on the properties of the sand. The sand must be washed and passed through a sieve. Additional impurities, such as clay, organic components, can give it greater plasticity, but in the future it will lead to the appearance of white spots on the surface of the brick, reducing the strength of the set mixture and cracking of the masonry. The origin of the sand also matters; quarry sand is suitable for cement mortar, not river or sea sand. Grains of sea sand have a rounded shape, which is why they do not bond well with each other. However, sand washing does not always produce high quality sand. The mixture mixed with washed sand often separates and releases water onto the brick. Such a mixture requires the introduction of additional plasticizing components, for example, liquid soap or shampoo. If it is possible to choose the sand fraction (size of sand grains), then you need to choose the average size (no more than 2.5 mm).

It is better to prepare cement mortar from Portland cement or slag Portland cement binder starting from grade 300 (M300) or more. If the wall will not bear significant loads (for example, the wall of a barn), then grade 200 cement can be used. However, there is a dependence between the grade of cement and the final amount of the finished mixture. The higher the grade, the more material you will receive. By saving on the brand, you can get cement mortar for bricklaying in a smaller volume than planned.

Changing the properties of the solution

To prepare a mortar for masonry and change its properties, additional substances are often added to the composition. They allow you to change not only the external decorative appearance of the seams, but also the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the entire masonry. Such additives include:

• Slaked lime;
• Various plasticizers;
• Dyes;
• Clay;
• Chamot et al.

The introduction of slaked lime is practiced both for brickwork of external walls and internal partitions. This type has increased plasticity compared to cement-sand, which makes it easier to work with and easier to lay. It is more resistant to temperature changes and weakly absorbs moisture, due to which frost resistance indicators increase. Cement-lime mortar has good adhesion (adhesion between solid and liquid surfaces) with bricks.

Slaked lime

How to make a colored seam? Sometimes it is necessary for the masonry seams to be a certain color. To do this, various coloring substances are added to it, but they often change the quality of the mixture for the worse, so you need to carefully monitor the ratio. To give the seam a dark color, add ash or graphite. Lime gives a light shade to the joint. You can make the seam dark by increasing the grade of cement.

Traditional plasticizers are liquid soap, shampoos, and detergents. They are added at the mixing stage, they give it plasticity and homogeneity. But this method of imparting softness is already outdated. The fact is that detergents contain many additional components that negatively affect the final result of the brickwork. Construction stores sell special plasticizing additives that are better suited for these purposes. It is best to add air-entraining plasticizers, as they allow you to mix the solution evenly, distributing air bubbles, thereby reducing the possibility of masonry delamination. As a rule, all plasticizers have a number of additional properties. But some of them perform only their narrow task, for example, they increase frost resistance. It is better to use components that have complex characteristics.

Clay is extremely rarely used for conventional structures. It is cheap, but has low strength. Furnaces are made from clay mortars. Often cement is not added to such a mixture, but sometimes, when it is necessary to increase the strength of the masonry, it is mixed with clay, producing a cement-clay mortar. Clay imparts plasticity and is also a fire-resistant material. But it also has a temperature limit, so for the construction of blast furnaces or smelters, fireclay is added to the cement-clay mixture. The mixture with fireclay can be used at temperatures above 1300 degrees Celsius.

Proportionality of the components of the masonry mortar

Depending on the purpose or place of use, the proportions in the mixture for bricklaying mortar will vary. For laying load-bearing walls and partitions, a cement-sand mixture is most often used. The main criterion for its quality is the proportions of sand and cement. It is easy to prepare and can be used without additional additives. The cement-sand mixture can be called a universal mortar for masonry. Brickwork laid on such a mortar can withstand both horizontal and vertical loads. The seams are resistant to temperature changes, damp environments and precipitation. On the Internet you can find many tables that indicate the ratio of sand and cement.

Let's look at examples of how to prepare a solution

Common options:

1. Brand 75. This mortar is used for bricklaying solid brick or wild stone. This is a solution for laying cinder blocks and foam concrete blocks. It is used for screeding floors with a small layer. It is used both for external and internal masonry. It is used in rooms with high humidity (bathroom, shower, etc.). Used in industrial premises in which equipment that produces strong vibrations is constantly operating. Most often, the proportions of cement and sand are 1 part M400, 4 parts sand.
2. Brand 100. Found its application in filling joints in panel houses. Used for screeding floors and installing lintels up to 2 meters. The hundredth grade is used for plastering walls. Suitable for laying solid bricks or heavy natural stone. It can be used to build a brick foundation. Good strength characteristics allow it to be used in monolithic frame construction. When used in damp conditions, it is recommended to use additional moisture-repellent substances in the mixture. To prepare grade 100, use M400 cement to four parts sand.
3. Brand 150-200. This brand is more durable. When producing grade 150, it does not allow the presence of impurities in the form of clay or lime. Such components reduce strength characteristics. It is almost never used for brickwork, as it is relatively expensive. It has found application in the construction of foundations, as well as in plastering work in wet structures and buildings (swimming pools, aquariums, etc.). Mortars 200 grade are used to fill joints in prefabricated buildings or as waterproofing. To produce grade 200, a ratio of two parts sand to one part Portland cement M400 is used.

Proper preparation of the solution

In order to make a good masonry mortar, you need to select the right, high-quality components and mix it correctly. To make it you will need:

• Measuring buckets;
• Shovels;
• Master OK;
• Trough (kneading container).

You can use special construction mixers. They make kneading much easier. If large volumes of work are planned on construction sites, it is better to use a concrete mixer.

The main task when mixing is to maintain a balance between liquid and excessively dry. It should not spread during the laying process, but at the same time be liquid enough to adhere to the bricks. To check, you can simply check it with your finger; there should be a recess in the mixture that does not float around the edges and does not fill with water at the bottom.

The sand is sifted through a sieve before mixing, so it is cleared of lumps or impurities, and large fractions are also sifted out. You can make a sieve yourself.

To begin with, water is added to a container or concrete mixer (about half of the planned ratio). After that, a binder (Portland cement) is added, mixed with water, and a filler (quartz sand) is gradually introduced.

The key to a well-prepared mixture is the correct choice of building components, additives and correct mixing. The slightest change in the components changes the basic properties of the mixture. Properly mixed mortar will allow the brickwork to stand for many years.

In this video you can see how to prepare the correct mortar for laying bricks: