Mortar DIY

Moderate amounts of mortar are used for various repair work of masonry buildings or small repairs.
For quantities up to 10-15 kg you should prepare them using the mason's bucket, amounts ranging from 15 to 50 kg can be prepared mixing them on the ground with the shovel.

For higher demands it is better to use a small mixer (you can also rent one at the best supplied centers of building materials). Some models, especially small and silent, can work inside a building.
The binders should always be kept dry and purchased in quantities required for the use.

(1) - Lime mortar

It is used to make plasters, but it is also a great binder for bricks (indoors).
It works easily, but it is not very resistant. The proportions by volume of lime, sand and water are: 1-3-1.

To prepare, pour the lime in the bucket and add the dry sand.
Then mix carefully. Water is added in small portions, stirring constantly, until the mixture is soft and smooth.

(2) - Cement mortar

It is used for masonry work in exterior and interior, in repairs and as a brik binder outdoor. The proportions, by volume, of cement, sand and water are: 1-4-1.


It is prepared as the lime mortar.

If you need a larger quantity you should mix it with the shovel, working on a clean, flat surface (ground on a sturdy nylon sheet).
The components are mixed thoroughly to create, with the shovel, a large crater where you put the water.
Then widen the crater mixing until you get a smooth mortar, but compact.

(3-4) - Concrete

It is used to create foundations and bearing structures of various types.
It can also be reinforced with iron rods. The proportions by volume of cement, sand, gravel and water are: 1-2-4-1.
Mix sand and gravel well dry to prevent the formation of lumps.
Then add the cement forming a dry and homogeneous mixture.

Add water gradually and mix until you have a thick mortar.

(5) - Slurry with Concrete Mixer

Pour into the glass of the mixer the inerts and mix well.
Then add the cement. Be careful not to exceed the 2/3 of the glass capacity of the mixer.

Then add the water, always rotating the glass.
To withdraw the mixture place a wheelbarrow below the mouth of the glass turning downwards. If the work needs quite a long time you leave the glass in rotation.
After work you wash the inside of the glass before the mixture hardens.

(6) - Bastard mortar

The mortar is suitable for outdoor plasterworks and, as a binder, both indoors and outdoors.
It consists of a special mixture in which you use two binders: lime and cement.
The proportions by volume of cement-lime-sand and water are: 1-3-10-3.

(7-8) - Rapid cement

It is used to block in a very short time (a few minutes) different supports, shelves and other bodies and masonry structures.

It is ideal when you do not have the ability (or the time) to hold the object walled during the hardening of the mortar. You have to organize yourself well because as soon as the mixture is ready you have to place it quickly otherwise it hardens and is no longer usable.
You should, therefore, prepare and use a little at a time, otherwise you do not have the time to apply it all.

Given this characteristic is good to adopt a special rubber bowl because, rapidly hardening, the rapid cement would quickly ruin rigid containers, while a soft container can be crushed and deformed to break up the debris.

The proportions of rapid cement, in volume, are: 1 part water and 2 of concrete.
Pour all the available water in the container and then put the concrete in, little by little (like a fountain) with a trowel while it mixes rapidly.
You must use the mixture in the first 2/3 minutes.
If you need a short interruption of work should place the mixture in the freezer to slow the setting process down.