When erecting buildings for various purposes, it is necessary to choose a suitable masonry mortar. Otherwise, the structure will simply collapse under its own weight. At the moment, a wide range of
a range of ready-made masonry mortars that simply fill with water and are ready to use. You can also purchase ingredients and make your own masonry mix.
Basic principles for choosing a mortar for masonry
When choosing, you need to be guided by the purpose and dimensions of the building. Masonry cement mortar is considered the most reliable; it can be used for buildings with heavy loads. It is also possible to add additional impurities that increase the elasticity of the mixture. There are also adhesive additives that increase its strength.
For one-story buildings, the total mass of which is relatively small, a cement-lime masonry mortar is used. This mortar has a high thermal conductivity.
There are also colored solutions that have similar properties, however, for decorative purposes, they addcolor pigment.
For house cladding and other facade work, use the adhesive option. It is better to buy a similar masonry mortar ready-made. These building mixtures must have high resistance to frost and the ability to withstand the effects of water.
The main indicators of the quality of the mortar are: compressive strength, which is indicated on the packaging by the letter M, water resistance, which is indicated by the letter D. Thermal conductivity and plasticity are also important characteristics for the building mixture, as this ensures simplicity and speed of working with it. Do not use heavy-duty mortar in structures that do not require it, it is only necessary for the foundation of the building.
Don't skimp on the ingredients of the mix as they are the foundation of your home.
How to make your own masonry mortar
To prepare the most common cement mortar, you need to mix three components: cement, sand and water. To get a quality mixture, you need to mix them in a ratio of 1: 3: 1-1, 5. The latter indicator depends on the moisture content of the sand. It is possible to knead the masonry mortar in small volumes with a shovel, however, a large amount can be prepared only with the help of a concrete mixer. When kneading, you need to add the ingredients gradually in parts, this will ensure the uniformity of the composition.
It is important to remember that the solution cannot retain its properties for a long time, so you need to knead such an amount that can be distributed in an hour and a half. For morelong-term work with the mixture can be added to the composition of substances that give elasticity.
This mortar is suitable for laying all types of building material (brick, aerated concrete, cinder block, etc.). In this case, its layer can be from 6 to 40 mm. The exact figure depends on the type of material selected.
