How To Mix Mortar

Are you about to work on a project that will involve using mortar? If so, you’re in the right place. Mortar is normally used for binding building bricks or blocks to form walls or structures, fill and seal gaps in brickwork, and sometimes to add decorative colour to masonry walls.

If you need to learn how to mix mortar to complete your project, we’re here to help.

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

• Mortar We recommend Blue Circle Quality Assured Mortar as you only need to add clean water.
• Building Sand
• 3 x 15L buckets – 2 for mixing and one for water
• Shovel
• Clean water
• Brush for cleaning tools

Mortar Mixing Process

Accurate proportioning of materials and thorough mixing are essential for mixing good quality mortar. For general brick and block work, above the damp-proof course (DPC), we recommend 1 part cement, to 6 parts building sand. You can also use this online calculator to help you work out quantities and the number of bags of tubs you will need for your specific project.

Once you have everything that you need, follow the steps below to mix the perfect mortar…

1. Fill a 15L bucket with cement, then tap the side with a trowel to shake the cement down. Then add more cement to bring it level with the top of the bucket.

2. Use a separate bucket and shovel for measuring the building sand and always use clean tap water for mixing.

Now you will need to decide whether you would like to use the concrete mixer method or the hand mixing method…

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?
You can calculate the amount of Postcrete you will need by using this handy online calculator.

Where Can I Find More Information About Mortar?
For more information about the Mortar product itself, take a look at this detailed product data sheet.

Where Can I Find More Information Regarding Health & Safety When Using Mortar?
Before using this product, please refer to the product packaging for all health and safety information. You can also take a look at this detailed material safety data download.

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.

We hope you found this guide useful in learning how to mix mortar ready for your building projects. Hopefully you are now feeling confident enough to complete your project to a professional finish. For a video breakdown of the process, you can head to this step-by-step video demonstration.

If you found this post useful, please tag us in any social media posts of your projects using @BradfordsBuild on Facebook, @bradfords_building_supplies on Instagram, or bradfords-building-supplies-ltd on LinkedIn, so that we can see the finished result.

If you need further help or advice, please contact us or visit your local branch to speak to one of our experts.