Using Mortars in your Water Feature
Danielle Dickinson
Using Mortars in Your Water Feature
Different types of mortars are used for different applications but all mortars are made up of the same basic ingredients, cement, sand and water. Often the use of an additive such as Bondcrete assists with the workability of the mortar.
Outlined below are different mixes for various applications:
Laying Bricks and/or Blocks BELOW Ground
1 part Cement
3 or 4 parts Brickies Sand
Laying Bricks and/or Blocks ABOVE Ground
1 part Cement
6 parts Brickies sand
Rendering / Bagging Walls
1 part Cement
1 part Hydrated Lime
4 parts Plasters Sand
Rendering / Bagging Ponds
1 part Cement
1 part Hydrated Lime
3 parts Plasters Sand
Pointing Bricks
1 part Cement
4 or 5 parts Plasters Sand
Paving Mortar
1 part Cement
3 parts Plasters Sand
Grout Mix for Pebbles etc
1 part Cement
4 parts Plasters Sand
Tips
Below are some tips to help with the use of mortar:
Do not guess quantities, always measure accurately
Always mix ingredients dry before adding water to ensure mortar
Ensure mortar is not too sloppy, this can run causing staining of bricks/blocks/pavers
If dry cement becomes wet or lumpy and lumps do not break up discard it immediately
Do not use mortar when very hot and humid
Keep all ingredients clean and uncontaminated from soil etc
Mix mortar with clean water
Do not add extra water to a prepared mix, this weakens the mix
Keep a tarpaulin handy to cover work in case of inclement weather
Do not add fish or plants to a pond where the mortar mix has not had the lime flushed with 3 water changes and 12 weeks waiting time
About the author: Danielle Dickinson is an avid water feature enthusiast. She is a regular contributor to Gardening Magazines. Visit her website http://www.waterfeaturesonline.com.au for more information on building and maintaining any type of Water Feature as well as a huge range of water gardening products.
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