Masonry mix and mortars for bricks

The service life of the building depends not only on the chosen material for construction, but also on the assembly composition chosen for bonding brickwork and blocks. The masonry mixture for bricks must be strong, durable in order to maintain the solidity of the wall panel. It is important to know that masonry mixtures are available for both ordinary building and clinker, fireclay, and facing bricks. The manufacturing technology is quite simple, but requires strict adherence to the rules. Otherwise, a poorly prepared substance will lead to the destruction of the entire structure.

Types of mixtures and their purpose

There are several types of mortars for laying bricks:

• Cement, characterized by high strength, rigidity;
• Cement-clay, where pure clay introduced into the solution provides high water-repellent qualities;
• Cement-lime, prepared with the addition of lime milk. Characterized by high plasticity, good adhesion.
• Lime mixtures are not the best, as they have reduced strength, are brittle and therefore are indicated for use in low-rise construction.

The masonry composition is obtained by mixing dry fillers with water. If this is a factory mixture, following the instructions is mandatory. Reducing the consumption of the mixture depends on the speed of laying out the material, so it is much better to prepare small portions of the composition in order to work them out before drying.

Universal Blend

Shown for construction work with bricks, made on the basis of cement, sand and water. Sometimes the composition includes plasticizers, for example, special anti-frost additives that allow you to work with the composition even during periods of severe temperature drops. The concept of universality is applicable to many types of compositions, for example, dry masonry is also included in this register.

The universal composition is suitable for laying ordinary bricks. In this case, a cement-based mortar is used. The proportions depend on the brand of cement: 1:4 if it is the M400 brand, 1:5 if the M500 brand is chosen. The composition is supplemented with dry clean sand and water. Lime can be used as a filler, which gives viscosity, as a result of which the mortar fills voids better. However, the composition with lime milk is contraindicated in places of high humidity.

There is a ready-made universal mixture M150, to which plasticizers and water-repellent compounds can already be added. The price of the composition is from $ 12 per bag of 12-15 kg. The availability and quality of the solution allow it to be used quite widely. And the possibility of laying out not only ordinary building, but also clinker, silicate bricks adds advantages.

White masonry mix

This is a composition that is used either for laying cladding or for restoring the seams of buildings that have been in operation for more than one year. The composition of the mixture includes high-quality cement, plasticizers, lime milk, sand and water. In addition to excellent aesthetic characteristics, the solution is durable, elastic and practical. Water absorption remains within 3-10%, consumption per 1 m2 is not more than 1.6 kg.

The price of the mixture varies between $ 2-2.5 per bag of 10 kg. But due to the low consumption, the need for use for facing work, the composition is popular.

Important! The white masonry mixture has a water-holding capacity (98%), which is essential for facing bricks - the finish lasts much longer and does not lose its quality indicators.

Mix for clinker bricks

Due to some specific features of the material, the masonry mixture for clinker bricks differs from the universal one. The composition must contain mineral binding aggregates, which minimizes the risk of shrinkage cracks.

Advice! When choosing a mortar for bricks with a reduced water absorption property, a mortar with a Rhine trace should be selected - the ingredient ensures the preservation of the color content of the product.

The price of such a mixture is higher than the usual one (from $ 30), but it is better to buy it. If the construction is already done with high-quality clinker bricks, then buying a cheap mortar can reduce all finishing efforts to zero.

Color compositions

Colored masonry mixtures for bricks contain a coloring pigment, polymers. It is thanks to polymer fillers that the seams do not change color when exposed to the external environment. A lot of colored compositions for clinker bricks. Pure fine-grained sand as a filler and polymers guarantee reduced water absorption and high plasticity of the mortar. A wide range of colors allows the implementation of any design solutions.

Advice! If you use color compounds only for jointing, the consumption will be significantly reduced, which is important at compound prices from $ 50.

Mixtures for aggressive environments

These are compositions used for work in areas of elevated temperature and humidity indicators. As a rule, these are the premises of mines, production workshops and other special purposes. The composition of the solution always includes refractory powders, clay, sand. High plasticity, the practicality of the composition is achieved by the correct preparation technology: water is poured into the dry ingredients and mixed until the clay dissolves. Then the solution is infused for 3 hours, then water is added again. The correct consistency - the mass is dense, stable, but plastic. Easier - a lump from a shovel slides slowly but surely. Such a substance is suitable for laying fireclay bricks used in the construction of stoves, fireplaces, chimneys. The price of the solution is from $35, but it can withstand temperatures up to +1600 C, which is especially important if refractory bricks are used for laying out.

Important! All compositions and standards for the mixture are specified in GOST 28913-98.

How to make a mixture

If you need to quickly and easily prepare a mortar for masonry, ready-made dry mixes are sold in stores, which you only need to dilute with water. But if there is time, sand, cement, water, then the mixture is prepared independently:

1. The sand is sifted;
2. Cement is mixed with sand depending on the brand of cement;
3. Water is added, the solution of the desired consistency is mixed.

It is necessary to knead the composition for at least 5-6 minutes so that all components are well mixed. It’s a good idea to pour a third of the water into the dry ingredients first, then add the rest. The standard water consumption is 0.6 parts, but it all depends on the desired viscosity of the solution.

Important! The cleaner the sand, the stronger and better the solution. Clay is introduced only in dry powder form. Lime milk is added instead of part of the water. Plasticizers are sold in specialized stores and must be added strictly according to the instructions.

For refractory bricks, the mortar is made from 60% clay, 30% sand, 10% cement. It turns out to be cheaper than the factory one, but there is no refractory component, so the installation of fireclay bricks must be accompanied by refractory plaster, where 20-25% is liquid glass.

The consumption of the solution depends on the thickness and size of the blocks. But you can calculate in advance how much mixture is required per square meter:

1. Calculate the volume of masonry with the exception of doors, windows;
2. Based on the data that 0.3 m3 of the mixture is needed per 1 m3, the total volume of the solution is calculated;
3. The resulting proportions will allow you to calculate the required amount of cement.

The volume of masonry is calculated simply: 1 brick has standard dimensions, it is not difficult to calculate the number of pieces per 1 m3, and then calculate the total area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe desired brick wall masonry. And remember that the faster the solution is used, the lower its consumption.