How to prepare a solution for laying bricks

Masonry brick is popular everywhere, regardless of the place of construction, while not only the masonry methods, but also the materials used in it are different. For example, in the construction of a single house, or a concrete room, up to three different types of bricks can be used, which require masonry mortars for their bonding to be different in composition and consistency.

Properties and characteristics of the mortar for masonry

In order to qualitatively ensure its functions, namely, to retain the elements of the wall in a bound state and to ensure its strength, the mortar must have a number of properties.Some of them are necessary to facilitate the work with the composition, while others provide stability and attractiveness of the structure obtained with its use.

Among these properties, the following characteristics are distinguished:

• viscosity;
• plastic;
• tensile strength;
• mobility;
• hardness.

The combination of these factors, which the dry mixture receives and together with it the prepared solution forms a parameter, which is called a brand. It depends on the buildings, what type it can be changed, and what the proportions of the ingredients will be contained in it. Each brand has its own serial number. So, there are such marks:

• M4;
• M10;
• M25;
• M50;
• M75;
• M100;
• M150;
• M200.

Some of them are applicable only for interior work, in particular, for the creation of interior ceilings (the lowest marks). Others, on the contrary, are used exclusively for outdoor work, for example, to create basement levels, where the solution must be resistant to leaching by groundwater.

Components of the mixture and their basic proportions

The basis of any binding solution, including for the laying of bricks, make up various varieties of Portland cement.But it can be replaced with slag-cement, which is used less frequently. In addition to cement, the composition of the dry mix necessarily includes a filler, most often sand, and plasticizers. As their clay and lime are used. Their presence in the solution is not necessary, but provides additional properties to the composition.

There is a direct relationship between the first component and the brand of the solution. The higher the grade of mix required, the higher the grade of cement required. But for sand, this relationship changes. The lower the grade of the mortar, the more sand it will have at similar proportions and the grade of cement.

Sand is applied river or career. The second option is much more preferable, since impurities and inclusions, such as stones and plant roots, are much less common in it. The best is sand with a fraction of up to 2 mm.

Another ingredient is lime. Its presence in the solution provides the necessary viscosity and plasticity, which ultimately allows to reduce the number of cracks that tend to form in the masonry. The amount of lime in the solution can be equal to the amount of cement, depending on the brand, but usually it is much lower.

The clay in the mixture as well as lime adds plasticity to the solution. At the same time, solutions with its content have a smaller stratification coefficient due to retention of moisture in the solution. Also, similar solutions are used in the furnace masonry, where brick is also used.

Applied tools and technical means

Knead the solution in two ways. The first classic is with bare hands, the other is modern with the use of automated technology. The second option is preferable, since it does not require excessive effort on the part of the master. Technique performs most of the work, freeing his hands from exhausting operations. For this purpose, suitable construction mixer, in other words, a concrete mixer. Now they come in different capacities, so you need to choose it based on the amount of work. So, too small a tool will constantly work in order to make another batch and consume a large amount of electricity, and an excessively large one will stand idle.

If you do everything yourself, you need a sufficient volume, for example, a trough or basin, a trowel (trowel) for kneading, a bucket for measuring liquid and bulk ingredients and additional tools.For example, you may need a construction sieve for sifting sand. This will remove from it unnecessary inclusions such as stones, construction or household garbage. Also, in some cases, they manage to introduce agricultural implements into the work, for example, hoes for mixing the solution. But the usual shovel copes with this situation.

In rare cases, the construction mixer will save the situation, but it should be of sufficiently high power so as not to burn out when the thick solution is kneaded.

Masonry mortar mixing technology

The most important thing in the process of obtaining a solution is to observe the sequence of adding components. When properly kneaded, a part of water is poured into the mixing tank first, then a mixture of cement and dry lime is added. Ideally, use special equipment for this, as lime adversely affects the skin. It is desirable to use protective clothing. However, it is most important to keep the order of components in manual mixing, since added in the wrong order, they will require more effort from the master for kneading.

After adding cement and lime (if its presence is necessary) is carried outinitial batch. Then, sand and water are gradually introduced into the mixture. According to the technology, the water should be clean and cold. Stir the composition to obtain a homogeneous mixture of the desired mobility. At the same time mobility varies depending on the brick used in laying. A more mobile solution is used for bricks, and for hollow bricks - less mobile. It should be noted that at high temperatures of atmospheric air the solution should also be more mobile in order to ensure its working quality.

Ready dry mixes are most convenient for work. They already contain the necessary proportions of the components, balanced among themselves. In addition, some manufacturers add special chemical additives to their ingredients in addition to the main ingredients. Their use saves working time, but often they are more expensive than separately purchased components.

Mortar for cement-free bricks

This version of the mixture is used only for specific purposes, for example, for laying stoves. This solution consists of only three components:

• clay;
• sand;
• water.

Their proportions are very conditional, sinceClays are of varying degrees of fat. All other ingredients, and, more precisely, their quantity is selected depending on the quality of the clay. At optimum - normal fat content a part or two of sand is used on a part of clay. Water will need four times more. If the clay is oily, the amount of sand is increased to a proportion of 1: 5 or 1: 4. Also, the situation will correct the added lean clay. Otherwise, if the fat content is low, slaked lime is added to the mixture.

The cooking technology is also somewhat different. Initially, the clay is soaked in water to soften, previously breaking it into small pieces. This process takes from 3 to 12 hours. So, the clay is poured with water, and from time to time mixed. Upon receipt of a thick homogeneous or stratified mass, the solution is filtered through a construction sieve with a 3x3 mm cell, and only then mixed with sand in predetermined proportions.

The resulting mixture is brought to a uniform consistency, mixing with a convenient tool. If the mixture does not have the necessary thickness, it is diluted with water or sand is added. As a rule, career sand is used for such a solution, but it is allowed to use chamotte sand.

Finally, it is worth noting that the ancient tribes of South America managed to build brick cult buildings with sufficient stability without the use of mortars, ensuring that these monuments of architecture are surprised to this day. However, such buildings do not meet modern requirements and in order to achieve the optimal quality of the structure, it is imperative to use binding solutions, the information on which is presented above.

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