Posts Tagged ‘ mortar ’

Choosing the Best Mortar Type for Your Masonry Project

Friday, June 29th, 2018

There are several different types of mortar that you can choose from, so make sure you are picking the best one for your specific masonry project!

With so many types of mortar mixes on the market, it can be difficult to choose which type of mortar will be best for your upcoming masonry project. Whether you are more of a DIY person or you are going to hire a professional, it is still important to understand which mortar types are best for certain kinds of projects. Mortar mixes are classified based on compressive strength, bonding properties, and flexibility. Each kind has a different ratio of cement, lime, and sand. Here are some of the different types of mortar and when you should use them.

Mortar Type N

You should use mortar type N for exterior and above-grade walls that are frequently exposed to severe weather conditions and high heat. This type of mortar has a mid-level compressive strength. It is composed of one part cement, one part lime, and six parts land. This is the perfect type of mortar for soft stone masonry, and it is the mortar that is used the most for general application.

Mortar Type O

Mortar type O has a low compressive strength and is best when used on interior and non-load-bearing walls. It should rarely be used in outdoor areas. It is super consistent and can be easily applied. Best used in interior environments!

Mortar Type S

Mortar type S has a high compressive strength and is ideal to be used for masonry at or below grade. It can fight soil pressure, wind, and even seismic conditions. Mortar type S is great for projects like foundations, manholes, retaining walls, sewers, brick patios, and brick pavements.

Mortar Type M

Mortar type M has the highest percentage of cement in it out of all the mortar types. It is best for heavy loads, foundations, retaining walls, and driveways. Although it is extremely strong, its adhesive properties are poor so it should not be used for sealing. Type M mortar is great when used with stone.

Mortar Type K

Mortar type K is rarely used. It is only necessary when refinishing historic or ancient buildings that require a special mortar mix. It has a very low compressive strength and is very difficult to manage. Mortar type K should never be used for DIY projects.

Contact Del Prete Masonry for Your Next Masonry Project!

Whether you are ready to start your next masonry project or are still hesitant and have questions, Del Prete Masonry is here to help. We have the experience and expertise to get it right the first time. Questions? Want to visit some of our residential or commercial projects? Ready to set up a consultation? Feel free to give us a call at 410-683-0650 or visit us online. We are happy to serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and to keep up with our new and exciting projects, be sure to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.

Posted in Mortar

3 Important Properties Of Mortar

Friday, March 30th, 2018

You want the mortar used for your masonry project to be workable and strong.

Mortar is what is used to hold together brick, stone, and concrete masonry, making it a very important material. You want to make sure that the best quality of mortar is being used because you want your building to last as long as possible without needing any repairs. There are a few important properties of mortar that you should consider when deciding which type to use for your masonry project. Here are three important properties of mortar.

Workability

This is probably the most important property of mortar because you have to be able to manipulate it the way you want for it to work. When looking for work-ability, you want to look for one that spreads easily with the trowel and supports the weight of the masonry units. You want it to stick easily to the surfaces of the masonry and it should protrude from the joint when pressure is applied. If the mortar is workable, it will make for a much easier masonry project.

Bond

This property comes into play after the mortar has hardened. If it doesn’t bond well, your masonry units could being to separate from one another. The two components that measure bond are the extent-of-bond and bond strength. The extent-of-bond is the measure of the contact area of the mortar and masonry unit. The bond strength measures the stress required to break the bond.

Stiffening Rate

The rate at which the mortar stiffens and dries is also important. Stiffening is caused by loss of moisture. The rate of stiffening should be high initially so that the construction process moves at a reasonable pace. If the stiffening rate is too low, the mortar will squeeze out as time goes on, resulting in varied thickness and distortion of the masonry. If it’s too quick, however, the masonry could crack. Things like climate and the material that you are using impact how fast or slow the stiffening rate should be.

Your Preferred Masonry Contractor Is Del Prete Masonry

If you are ready to upgrade your home or commercial building with professional masonry installation or replacement, Del Prete Masonry has the experience and expertise to get the job done right for the right price. To explore our residential and commercial services and set up a consultation, please give us a call at 410-683-0650 or contact us online. We currently serve Baltimore City and County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County. To see examples of our work and get more updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.

Posted in Mortar