How To Lay A Foundation

What Is Mortar?

Mortar is a mixture of sand and cement and once mixed, is a workable paste which hardens to bind bricks and building blocks such as stones and concrete masonry.

It is typically known to be thicker than other binding materials. This makes mortar a great option for building outdoor structures like walls, barbecues and structures made of bricks and blocks.

There are two ways that you can mix mortar; either with a cement mixer or by hand. Read on to find out what you will need for your project and how to mix mortar (using both methods) ready to use in your project.

What You Will Need

To Lay A Foundation For A Wall:

• Stakes
• Shovel
• Pegs
• Hammer
• Spirit level
• Prepared cement
• Plank or tamping beam
• Polythene sheeting
• Bucket, water and brush for cleaning tools

To Lay A Foundation For A Shed Base:

• Prepared concrete x 2
• Pegs
• String
• Spirit level
• Plank or tamping beam
• Steel trowel
• Polythene sheeting
• Bucket, water and brush for cleaning tools

How To Lay A Foundation

Laying A Foundation For A Wall

1. Start by making the layout of the foundation with stakes and dig a trench for the footings, down to firm and level ground. In this scenario, the width should be three times the width of the wall that you are building.

2. Drive in some pegs to indicate the top of the footings and use a spirit level to ensure that they are level.

3. You will use the pegs as a guide when levelling the surface of the foundations.

4. Prepare a concrete mix using our ready to use Blue Circle Multi-Purpose Concrete, which requires no pre-mixing, only the addition of clean water.

5. Pour the concrete to the top of the pegs ensuring that the surface of the footings remains level all round.

6. Compact the concrete with the edge of a plan or tamping beam.

7. Protect the concrete by covering with polythene sheeting as soon as the concrete is hard enough not to be marked. Leave it for at least 7 days to cure, before continuing your project.

Laying Foundations For A Shed Base

1. Mix a mortar using one part Blue Circle Mastercrete to three or four parts of clean well graded sand. A good mortar should hang on the trowel and spread easily. It will remain workable long       enough for the bricks or blocks to be placed and adjusted to line and level.

2. Using pegs and string, mark out and lay two courses of bricks as a retaining wall, checking they are level as you work.  Leave the bricks overnight before you continue.

3. Prepare a new concrete mix and use this mix to pour the shed base, level to the top of the bricks.

4. Ensure that the concrete is spread well into the corners and compact it with the edge of a plank or tamping beam.

5. A variety of finishes can be achieved, but here we used a steel trowel to create a smooth finish.

6. Cover with polythene for at least 24 hours.

7. When you’ve finished, always clean your tools immediately and leave the area tidy.

Cement Mixer Method

1. For larger DIY jobs, you may want to consider using a cement mixer. When using a cement mixer ensure it is on a firm, level ground and have someone around to help you with loading and unloading.

2. Using a shovel, load half of the sand, half the water, then half of the mortar cement into the mixer, avoiding build-up of any dry material on the blades of the drum.

3.  Add more water is necessary and mix for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture is uniform in consistency and colour.

Hand Mixing Method

1. Hand mixing can be hard work, but satisfying if the correct procedure is followed. Always work on a hard, smooth surface, for example a sheet of plywood or in a wheelbarrow.

2. Using a shovel, add half of the sand and half of the mortar cement onto the flat surface or into the wheelbarrow and turn over the sand and cement until they are mixed together well.

3. Form a crater in the middle of the pile and add some water, then bring the dry material to the water and mix until the mixture is uniform in consistency and colour. Add more water to the mixture if necessary.

4. When you’ve finished using the mortar for your project, always clean your tools immediately and leave the area tidy.

FAQ's

How Many Bags Or Tubs Of Blue Circle Mortar Will I Need?
Use this handy online calculator to help you work out quantities and the number of bags or tubs you will need for your project.

Where Can I Find More Information About Cements?
For more information about mixing specific concretes and mortars, take a look at this detailed builders guide.

Where Can I Find More Information Regarding Health & Safety When Using Blue Circle Products?
Before using any products, please refer to the product packaging for all health and safety information. Blue Circle also provides detailed material safety data. 

Can I Recycle The Packaging?
Yes, all Blue Circle plastic packaging is made of recyclable material so is suitable for recycling and should be disposed of in the correct manner.