Mortar the essential component of the Bricklayers craft.

Mortar is derived from mixing sand, a binder and water together to form a creamy workable mixture for applying to bricks and blocks.  Binders are usually cement or lime, sometimes even both.  The most common Mortar used is Cement Mortar.

Mortar using cement

Cement when mixed with sand and water causes a chemical reaction. Cement produces heat which evaporates the water from the mixture forcing the molecules to bind together in a hard mass.  This mortar is preferred within industry for its quick drying time.  This allows work to continue at efficient rates and constitutes a strong build.

Mortar using Lime

Lime when mixed with sand and water binds the materials together in much the same way as cement but without producing as much heat.  The mortar  does not harden and remains live.  This allows movement within the mortar, but means excessive drying times and slower building. Throughout history lime mortar has been preferred in construction because of it's ease of use and availability.

Mortar Mixes.

Mortar is mixed in parts.  Making yourself a batching box or using a bucket to combine these parts is much more  satisfactory than guessing quantities with a shovel.  Below is some of the more common mixes:

1:4         1 part of cement to 4 parts sand.  (This mix is for below ground)

1:6         1 part cement to 6 sand. (The most common Bricklaying mix)

1:1:6      1 cement to 1 lime to 6 Sand. ( A lovely mortar mix, beautifully

                                                                Workable!)