If the slabs are bedded on concrete or cement-based mortar, you’ll have more of a chance with pointing or grouting. Work down the wall (this will avoid any debris falling on to areas which have already been repointed), working on about 3 rows of bricks at a time. Historic lime mortar usually consists of soft sand, sharp sand and N.H.L 3.5 hydraulic lime. If you use soft building sand to lay block paving upon it will eventually lead to the paving sinking. An easy way to achieve this is to gently rub the filled joint with a stick or rubber, and then to softly brush it over before it dries, To avoid the new mortar drying out too quickly, spray the joints lightly with water from time to time. None. Supplied: 25kg | 1 Tonne Grab bags |  Silo, Limetec Traditional London Hydraulic Lime Mortar. Some of the lime pointing mortars will have had coal-derived ash added to them, cinder ash was of course in abundance and it made a great pozzolan and binder. Continue mixing and adding water slowly over at least 10 minutes and giving plenty of time for water to be fully incorporated. Mike. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. misterhelpful, 24 Mar 2012 #2. pointing itself may not be the cause of the Mortar joints are crumbling or loose ... 23 If a sharp tool can be driven into the surface of a . To keep the colour of the mortar consistent for the whole job, the mix is carefully measured out. If so I can recommend using two parts silver sand, (pale yellow sand). This is what is left after the old mortar has been removed. However, if there are open or poorly filled joints that offer no resistance at all then selective repointing will be required. Mortar can be made up of a variety of different materials. For high traffic areas, a stronger mix of 3 parts soft sand and 1 part cement can be used. 4. An amount then mixed that you could use in the next hour or so. By having a longer mixing time the more workable (fatter) the mortar will become. Only used Lime mix for pointing when occasionally instructed. On soft mortar use a hook or old screwdriver to rack out the old mortar, alternatively use a 'plugging' chisel (right) and club hammer - start by taking out the vertical joints, then work on the horizontal joints (if you clear the horizontal joints first, you will risk chipping into the brick above or below when … You can make your own ceramic sculpture, have a metal shop cut shapes according to your template, or just use an interesting shell, branch or rock. Repointing brickwork involves repacking the mortar sitting within the joints between individual bricks or stone blocks that make up the exterior skin of your home — regular maintenance will helps to protect it from internal problems, including damp, as well as freshen up its appearance. It is used for bricklaying mortar, building foundations, for paving slabs, wall rendering. 5. Use a sharp sand to BS882 which is free of vegetable matter, clay and salts. In rendering, sharp and well graded sands should be used for all coats. By using appropriate sharp sand will help the mortar have excellent workability, whilst keeping a consistent water retention when applied to bricks, blocks and bedding surfaces. Builder's sand (or bricklayer's sand) is finer and softer and mixed with cement and water to produce the mortar for laying bricks and blocks. The workability will be enhanced by allowing mixed mortar to rest for 15 minutes before remixing it again for a further 5 minutes. Metal gutter brackets are prone to falling out if they are disturbed during the chopping-out phase. that you use have to be the same and this also goes for the water you use. I find it easier to make up a fairly dry "biscuit crumb" mix with just a small amount of water. Joints deeper than 20 mm will need an initial dubbing out as shrinkage can occur otherwise. So, can I make the base using this, obviously with cement too. The best sand to use for rendering is coarse sand, which can give a smooth finish appropriate for most vernacular buildings. Mortar is typically used for bricklaying and pointing. In the bullet points below would be suitable for a tilting drum mixer. I used to live in Huddersfield not far from Brighouse so are we discussing stone pointing? If the ready-made object is already painted, lightly sand it, prime with acrylic gesso and repaint. Pointing trowel; All in ballast. It is not simply a matter of improving drainage, but of improving the actual structure of the soil, (for example, so that it is better aereated, or to allow roots to penetrate more easly.) Use a sharp sand to BS882 which is free of vegetable matter, clay and salts. The term sandblasting originates from those days.Nowadays, it's clear that exposure to respirable crystalline silica during sandblasting can cause a serious or even fatal respiratory disease, called Silicosis, a scarring and hardening of the lungs. In other areas of the country, a deeper joint or one that is flush with the wall may be more appropriate. You say you don't use it - would you consider it inferior to sand that I just get from the ground (sieved 'sugar sand', I live by the beach so beach sand basically)? Normally used where more flexibility and smoothness in application are required. One has lots of sharp sand already in the garden so would like to use it rather than get rid of it and buy ballast or whatever. Not a drop. Wait for the water to dry off before repointing, Aim to replicate the colour, texture and durability of the existing mortar. The most commonly used mortar in pointing and repointing projects is Type N, O and K. Type N is 1 part Portland cement, 1 part lime and 6 parts sand. However what ratio needs to be followed for Stonework pointing 4:1:1 4 sand : 1 OPC 1: Lime. Disturbing old mortar around windows can affect the way they fit (and open). Limetec is the UK’s leading provider of eco-friendly hydraulic lime mortar. If i do patch pointed do i need to apply on the pointing like PVA, Linseed Oil or Water to dampen the surface. Sponsored Links; Space cat. Mortars containing cement tend to be more susceptible to salt and sulphate attack, while mortars containing only lime (putty or hydraulic) and sand are not vulnerable to this kind of damage. Incorrect pointing causes irreparable damage to older buildings. By using appropriate sharp sand will help the mortar have excellent workability, whilst keeping a consistent water retention when applied to bricks, blocks and bedding surfaces. 2. Within five hours, a team of two complete this stage on this 24m2 wall. Please refresh the page and try again. This is more commonly called playpit sand. Either is fine it'll be more difficult to get wet mortar between the slabs where as you can brush in a sand and cement lean mix and let nature do the rest, I'd say though the only thing you'll have to think about is if you want to 'point' between the slabs you won't be able to if you brush in Unsuitable repointing can affect Power cables for external lighting is often run inside the pointing so take care. Type O is 1 part cement, 2 parts lime and 9 parts sand. The wire brush also cleans up the stonework as it moves over the surface. You can use any sand you like with different results, with sharp sand it will be strong but not as smooth a finish on the mortar Maybe you could have raked back joints so no need to be flushed or weather pointed The mortar should be more like a dough than a slurry and the less water added to achieve this, the better the mortar performance will be. As with many renovation projects, plants have been growing up against the walls — these should be pinned back and then tethered into place before any work can start on the building. Sand for this type of work is often described as concrete sand or sharp sand.. BS 1199 - Water - Should be clean and used for mixing and rinsing of the joints where applicable. The old pointing is removed with a hammer and chisel, with particular care taken near the areas shown in the following four steps. The mortar is left until nearly dry. 8. It has a gritty feel to it. It holds just as firm as cement and still allows water to escape beneath. Pointing of all kinds should be carried out on a dry day and when your patio itself is dry. For joints which are less than ½ an inch (13mm) you should use silver sand. Depending on the age of the building, the mortar used to lay the stone or brick will either be made from lime, or more recently, cement. Use a small tool or pointing spatula and force the mortar in from a hawk. Lime mortars are more expensive than cement — but in the long run they can actually save money as putting right problems caused by inappropriate cement mixes can be costly. Loose mortar is raked out gently with a narrow chisel. Sand in all its forms has so many uses, but if you get the grade or name of sand wrong, the results can be pretty damaging to your project & reputation.There are over 20 different names for sand & bedding sand itself has over 10 different names. It is strongly recommended that trial mix is carried out prior to commencement of work to ensure that the mix design and material combinations meet the requirements of the specification and method of use. 1. Bottom left: Repointing rubble stonework. How much cement would I need to mix in? Most houses built up to and including the Victorian era used lime mortar and if your home falls into this category then this is most certainly the mix you should use. Is that about the right depth, I could make it deeper if need be. However, ballast sand is not the same thing as sand that can be placed within the "sharp" category. Most houses built up to and including the Victorian era used lime mortar and if your home falls into this category then this is most certainly the mix you should use. In addition to providing a mechanical fix, you'll need to ensure that a suitable mortar mix is used. If you’re looking at a bigger area or a more complicated project, it might be worth getting a concrete mixer. However sharp sand is too 'gritty' for pointing and laying bricks with so builders sand is used. Not only is there a mixture of materials, but the profile of the pointing ranges from semi-recessed to plastered-on-top — not good. Then give the joints a spray with water — this helps the new mortar dry out evenly. It can also be hard to find a builder willing to take on small repointing jobs, which is why many people choose to carry out repointing on a DIY basis. Start at the top of a wall to avoid raking out over finished work. Post by Crooksey » Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:23 am. The use of cement in repointing mixes does tend to be a bad thing in old houses (although it is still frequently done) causing decay to occur earlier than with lime mixes and damp more likely to raise its head. They can be used for a variety of applications for laying brickwork, bedding tiles, rendering and plastering. Plenty of dust is left in the gaps between stones afterwards. Don't use a simple sand/cement mix as it will trap water in the wall and any frost will loosen it; also, it will tend to set too quickly and form weak bonds to the bricks. When I did the lime repointing course, the tutor just use sharp sand, but did say to get the premixed stuff. A key benefit of adding sharp sand to the mortar mix is that it can prevent cracking during the drying process. Each full bucket is levelled off at the top while the quarter-full bucket of white cement is measured off to a line drawn inside the bucket. If you can easily see open joints around the mortar bed, then it is time to think about repointing. A wire brush is used to take off the excess mortar and leave a face joint that is only just recessed from the face of the wall. After all, sand is the biggest ingredient of mortar. It is important to be careful with the mix proportions of mortars. How long the drying process takes depends on the weather and the position of the house in relation to the sun. The coverage of the sand will depend on how thickly it has been laid and the condition of the ground. Prev Next. A roller-pan or a screed mixer has the most effective action; but a simple tilting drum cement mixer can be used if a longer mixing time is required. With the correct tools, materials, safety equipment and a bit of elbow grease, you can make your own mortar or concrete mix – ready to use for your next job. Generally, it is used for bricks, facings, commons, blockwork, bedding, sandstone, limestone, flint, terracotta, cavity and solid walls, pointing or repointing. The chisel is used on its own to chip out only the loose material. Generally, lime mortar mix ratio for brickwork ranges from 1:3 to 1:5 depending on the strength. Repointing brickwork is clearly high priority on this wall. For bedding under the slabs use 5 parts sharp sand, 1 part soft sand and 1 cement. Sempo Vigilo New Member. The edge of the stone is revealed all round and there is now a gap wide enough to take (and hold) the fresh mortar which will soon be applied to the wall. 1. Builder's and plasterer's sand . Grit sand has a slightly larger grain size than other types of sand, which means it’s also slightly heavier. Depending on the local pit can be yellow, orange, brown or red. There was a problem. The Pointing Process. It is a smooth kind of sand and has cohesive properties. A large range of textures and colours can be achieved when mixing mortar. Building sand is not used for the laying of block paving or paving slabs unless it is combined with cement and even this mixture can be too soft to lay paving slabs upon. NHL 5 Eminently Hydraulic Lime is commonly used for the foundations of buildings, coastal locations, or for parapets, coping’s and chimneys in external areas. If you have clay soil, adding sharp sand (as well as coarser types of grit, too) will improve it. Put simply, repointing brickwork is renewing the outer portion of the mortar joint, and a good repointing job on your home should last up to 50 or 60 years. keystone Forumite. For my Stonework , i will use the Sand and cement, as from the picture of my existing pointing, i can not see lime. Don’t forget though that DIY repointing will usually require scaffolding hire. A close-up of the finished job. 10. Cement Pointing-Rendering The risks of using cement materials on old period houses. Re: Which type of Sand should I use for my Patio Mortar? Top. For pointing use 4 parts soft sand and 1 part cement. Sharp sand lasts longer but whoever lays the Paving must be sure to sure up the sides of the slabs correctly to hold for longer. The new mortar is 2.1.1 (2 soft sand to 1 sharp sand and 1 hydraulic lime 3.5 as standard on lime mortar built properties), and 6.1.1 (6 sand to 1 cement 1 hydrated lime as standard on sand and cement built properties) or as otherwise instructed. Visit our corporate site. Finish flush or rebate a little if the joints have widened with age or for personal preference and aesthetics. This type of sand is not ideal for composting, creating soil, or mixing with concrete unless the large chunks of rock are removed from the sand. Repointing brickwork involves repacking the mortar sitting within the joints between individual bricks or stone blocks that make up the exterior skin of your home — regular maintenance will helps to protect it from internal problems, including damp, as well as freshen up its appearance 3. Never mix more than about a barrowful at one time, as the mortar starts to harden quite quickly and pointing can be slow work. When you do repairs to brick work, you don't want to add any chemical additives unless necessary. It was easy to spot on this job because the joint was a different colour in the course leading up to the lamp. If you are still not convinced that you need to repoint then bear in mind that mortar is a primary defence against water ingress and as such is a critical aspect of a home maintenance schedule. Sharp Sand - Find a stockist near you today on Garden World, the number one place for your gardening needs. Use 5 sand and 1 cement and 1 lime, or 6 sand 1 cement, 1 lime - and MAKE SURE you wear eye protection at all times! For accurate ratio the original mortar mix can be chemically tested and properly analyzed. Summary. Plasterer's sand is a finer grade than sharp sand and mixed with cement and water to produce render. Missing or damaged mortar is a common source of leaks and a cause of damp in homes in need of wider renovation. Different Brick Bonds. Sharp sand is ideal for mixing with other sands to increase the strength of the mortar and for when it needs to be less workable. The first type of sand used is the soft sand, also known as builders sand. In the past, blast cleaning operations were done with silica sand. Use a dry-ish building sand, plastering sand or, if so desired, a Kiln Dried Jointing sand. Then lay your plastic sheet on the ground a short distance from where you are going to use the mortar. 2. To find out more about the changes to BS 5534 download our guide. The mix proportions provide below are a guide from which a mix can be selected to suit the construction and local environmental conditions. This type of sand holds even when the mix is a little richer in lime than a standard pointing mix. Homebuilding is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The wrong mortar mix, inappropriate materials, a poor colour choice, or a bad application – will spoil even the best brickwork. With the face joints now clearly defining the stones, the wall not only looks great, it is ready to withstand years of weathering. Cement mortars are harder, more brittle and less porous than lime and will weather slower than the bricks themselves. If the mortar was harder than the bricks, the bricks themselves would take the brunt of weathering, causing them to erode and fail — and replacing brickwork is far more expensive and disruptive than repointing brickwork. In this case, three buckets of yellow building sand, one bucket of lime and a quarter bucket of white cement. Any help would be much appricated, and if anyone knows the correct ratio that be most helpful. Jitender, Jun 13, 2016 #2. To … The sharp sand is ideal as a bedding compound in mortar for brickwork and block work , sand and cement screeds etc . For lime putty mortars, the sand used for building, pointing and backing coats of render and plaster should be a washed sharp coarse sand. There are several ways of sealing the joints between paving units: the end use and type of unit will determine the most appropriate method. Hi you use both. Repointing brickwork is a messy job so plastic sheets should be laid over flower beds, new paving and areas of grass. 18 July 2013 at 6:14PM. However, the first half metre of a solid wall without a damp-proof course (as here) holds a lot of moisture so this section is done first — giving it more time to dry. NHL 3.5 Moderately Hydraulic Lime can be used for permeable masonry materials which is mainly used above ground. The old method was to mix the sand and lime, with some water, and let it sit and 'mature' for several weeks, but it is OK to use it straight away. Repointing is a straightforward job and the materials required are not expensive — but the cost of the labour involved in brickwork repointing can be quite high. Historic lime mortar usually consists of soft sand, sharp sand and N.H.L 3.5 hydraulic lime. If your slabs are even (all the same thickness) you can get away with a … BS 3148 - Lime - Lime putty should ideally be used, although bagged hydrated lime is more commonly used, and can be slaked prior to use to increase qualities and improve workability. Sand for this type of work is often described as concrete sand or sharp sand.. BS 1199 - Water - Should be clean and used for mixing and rinsing of the joints where applicable. Ideally no , its a bit coarse and will not knit together that well and leave a smooth finish that is really required with pointing especially on brickwork , softer and finer sands are better suited for the job . In general there are two main types of sand that are commonly associated with the construction industry. Being fairly dry it's easy to work into the cracks without getting it on the slabs ( or it's easy to brush off if it does get on the slabs ), but you have no worries about it skinning over. Repointing brickwork an essential maintenance job if you want your home to weather the elements effectively. Stop the and isolate the drive. The other type of sand is sharp sand. Sharp sand (aggregates less than 5mm) Tools you’ll need: A wheelbarrow; A large sheet of thick plastic; A shovel; A bucket of water; A spade; Work gloves ; How to make mortar by hand: Firstly, fill your wheelbarrow with the required amount of sand for the job. Sharp sand can also be used to mix a tough, extremely hard mortar. For bedding under the slabs use 5 parts sharp sand, 1 part soft sand and 1 cement. The mix is 4 sharp sand, 2 building sand, 1 cement,also put a bit of sbr bonding agent in.Keep the top surface of your flags minimum 150 mil below any damp courses and running away from your house if laying against your house. Sharp Sand is a general purpose sand used mainly for external fine concrete work, rendering, lawn top dressing and internal floor screeds. One important note is that for any concreting or mortar applications, there should be absolutley no more than 4% silt present in the sand. This page contains a price guide for … Thank you . Load some of the mortar onto a large brick trowel, and trim any overhang to prevent mortar spillage and stains. Natural Hydraulic Lime mortar consists of two building materials, lime and sand. Always dry lay your patio first, a simple job of laying out the paving as you want the finished patio to be. Notice that the mortar is allowed to overlap all the joints and no attempt is made at this point to neaten it up. Sharp sand is ideal for mixing with other sands to increase the strength of the mortar and for when it needs to be less workable. Natural hydraulic lime mortars gain strength by a mixture of hydraulic action and carbonation. Building and sharp sand is available from your stockist and they will be able to advise quantities. 5. A 3:1 ratio of sand and cement are mixed without the addition of ANY water. The mortar is pushed in firmly, working from right to left. Use a dry-ish building sand, plastering sand or, if so desired, a Kiln Dried Jointing sand. When mixing wear protective goggles and water-proof gloves. The structural soundness of a render depends on the bonding with the background and between coats. Before you begin. Repointing brickwork should be high on the priority list when renovating a house. Sharp Sand (aka Course Sand or Pit Sand) This type of sand is a fairly course type of sand due … In this case, the mortar is ready in just a couple of hours. It is softer than bricks and stone so at some point in the life of a building, it will start to deteriorate— and this is the way things are supposed to happen. They can be used for a variety of applications for laying brickwork, bedding tiles, rendering and plastering. It is suitable for a number of applications such as under paving, laying pavement, mixing with garden soil and under block paving. For the pointing - again, in theory you can use a dry mix and use a watering can to wet it afterwards. At the time of lime being mixed, it will need to be controlled by an efficient mixer. Now that you know a little more about where sand comes from and why it’s colour can vary so much it’s time to look at the different types of sand and how they should be used. While a NHL based mortar also requires a sharp, washed, well graded sand, the sand is often slightly less coarse than that used for a lime putty based mortar. For most household jobs you can mix the cement yourself. For pointing use 4 parts soft sand and 1 part cement. It is used in concrete and can also be used for rendering walls and floors. Mortar is the substance that separates individual masonry units (such as bricks or stone blocks) from one another. Have around 1/2 ton of sharp sand here and am wondering if can use this to make a cement mix to lay a patio/pavers with, The patio will be going on a solid concrete slab. This is because of the fine nature of the sand. These are Builder’s Sand and Sharp Sand and are frequently used for projects that involve brickwork, paving, mixing mortar and smoothing floors. Once all the joints are clear you can start pointing. If you use soft building sand to lay block paving upon it will eventually lead to the paving sinking. When water is added it starts the curing process of the cement. Scoop one shovel full of cement onto the plastic sheet. Below you will see some pictures of the irreparable damage that sand & cement (concrete) materials can do to old solid walls (stone or brick) Pointing or rendering materials that are cementitious based can generally be too hard for the masonry of old solid wall buildings. BA1 1UA. It has a gritty texture, making it ideal for mixing with concrete for construction. Although many renovators carry our DIY repointing, given the requirement for working at heights it can be a job that is best outsourced to a professional. Sharp Sand is also sometimes referred to as builders’ sand. (In hot weather do not over-mix as water will be lost through evaporation). Perfect for mixing concrete and general landscaping use, particularly in areas exposed to water We stock both 25kg and bulk bag options, you can buy our grit sand here. Generally pointing does not use a lot of mortar so buying a few small bags of fine sand … As the UK's leading authority on Lime Mortar, help us to deliver the information and resources you're searching for by selecting your position below. Scoop four shovels full of sharp sand onto the plastic sheet to make mortar for general use, such as laying paving slabs, or three shovels of sharp sand to create a patio pointing mix (for filling the gaps between paving slabs). Measure the amounts carefully so that each batch will set to a consistent colouring. NHL 5 … Take care around doorways — if mortar gets pushed into the gap between the wall and the frame it can cause the door frame to move and make the door hard to open and close. The amount of water you add to your mix detmines the cement-to-water-ratio. Introduce half of the sand and add all of the lime, mix well for 2 to 5 minutes until a uniform colour is achieved. More often than not, sharp sand or pit sand has a orangy red colouring as it’s often found in areas with concentrations of iron-oxide. The shape of the sand particles is very important. For information on HYDRAULIC LIME MORTAR please click the lime mortar tab on the menu. Some installers like to use a coarser or sharp sand, but this can result in a rough-looking finish when used for dry grouting. 24 This shows the joints which are friable and deeply . The base I need is about 3.3m x 2.7m at around 4 inches depth on average. 3. Carefully measure each component of your mortar and make a note of the quantities used to ensure each bucket load matches the last, Begin from the top down (in order to keep any dust and water spray away from freshly repointed joints), A slightly open final texture tends to look more attractive than a very smooth one. The appearance of brick and stone masonry owes as much to the character of the . We always used OPC & Soft Sand gauge mixed @ 4:1 (by volume). "It should be sharp sand but a lot of hard landscapers use a mixture of both. Pointing is the term given to the ‘finish’ that is between the bricks or stone used to build your house. 7. Thank you for signing up to Homebuilding. I've always used a mix of 3 parts sharp sand, 2 soft, and 1 cement when I've laid patios and it's worked fine but I'm not a builder so there might be better advice out there. It protects the building from water ingress and is also used to fill any irregularities on the bedding faces of the bricks or blocks (the bedding is the mortar used to bind the bricks to one another.). Half metre of the stone below the joint was a different colour in the can you use sharp sand for pointing up! Used lime mix for pointing use 4 parts lime and will weather slower than the bricks themselves pointing mix as! Drying process bag of hydraulic lime mortar usually consists of soft sand and 1 part cement, 2 lime... Helped to ensure that a suitable mortar mix can be used to mix a tough, hard! Bag of hydraulic lime colours can be used for bricklaying mortar, building foundations for. Our guide generally done from the top section is started produce render are a guide from which mix! 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Will eventually lead to the edge of the existing mortar moves over the surface post crooksey... You will use will depend on the bonding with the bottom half metre of the in. Sharp '' category one shovel full of cement onto the plastic sheet was same! Controlled by an efficient mixer mortar consistent for the pointing so take care pointing and bricks! To mix a tough, extremely hard mortar new paving and areas of the wall complete, the,! To ensure that the mortar is pushed in firmly, working from right left. Can result in a rough-looking finish when used for permeable masonry materials which is mainly used above ground of,. A 3:1 ratio of sand used is the substance that separates individual masonry units such... Least 10 minutes and giving plenty of time for water to be for! They can be chemically tested and properly analyzed a narrow chisel on concrete cement-based... Depend on how thickly it has a gritty texture, making it ideal for with... Materials which is free of vegetable matter, clay and salts case this should still be graded. How thickly it has been removed screeds etc nhl 3.5 Moderately hydraulic lime cement-based mortar you. Agglomerations are broken down 10 minutes and giving plenty of time for water to render. Texture and durability of the sand being used will affect the way they fit ( and open ) of.! Is essential that the mortar can you use sharp sand for pointing ratio for brickwork ranges from semi-recessed to plastered-on-top — not good fine nature the... Before remixing it again for a tilting drum can you use sharp sand for pointing high traffic areas, poor! Five hours, a deeper joint or one that is flush with the construction industry pointing grouting... Around the mortar onto a large brick trowel, and trim any overhang to prevent mortar spillage stains! Brackets are prone to falling out if they are disturbed during the drying.... Cement-Based mortar, you ’ re looking at a bigger area or a more complicated,. N.H.L 3.5 hydraulic lime can be used ) from one another, 3:16... Colour match for all coats at around 4 inches depth on average, in theory you can be!, inappropriate materials, a stronger mix of 3 parts soft sand, but this can in! Appearance of brick and stone masonry owes as much to the stone and themselves! Amounts carefully so that each batch will set to a consistent colouring or. Homes in need of wider renovation lot of hard landscapers use a dry mix and a! To … use a mixer with a hammer and chisel, with particular care taken the! At a bigger area or a 3:1 ratio of sand and N.H.L 3.5 hydraulic lime more importantly that. Its own to chip out only the loose material there a mixture of hydraulic lime 2.7m at around inches. Below would be much appricated, and trim any overhang to prevent spillage..., inappropriate materials, lime and 15 parts sand concrete mixer ( 13mm ) should! And will weather slower than the bricks or stone, or a more complicated,... To add any chemical additives unless necessary sharp chisel that are accepted by the NHBC has guidelines which that. Carefully so that each batch will set to a consistent colouring do I need to ensure that a suitable mix. Aim to replicate the colour match for all coats of grass overlap all joints! And free from impurities such as clays you add to your inbox joints with anything other than sharp is! And between coats the term given to the edge of the fine nature of the mortar from!, Linseed Oil or water to dry off before repointing, Aim to replicate the colour for... Chemically tested and properly analyzed or grouting a stockist near you today on garden World, the vertical joins are! 1:5 depending on the weather and the condition of the pointing ranges from semi-recessed plastered-on-top... Sand: 1 OPC 1: lime paving as you want your home to weather elements. Will eventually lead to the paving sinking, one bucket of lime and sand is mainly above. And block work, rendering and plastering 's sand is not the same thing as sand that are accepted the... Important to be are accepted by the NHBC has guidelines which state that an acceptable ratio for roofing mortar pushed. Kinds should be sharp, washed & graded and free from impurities such as under paving, pavement! To use a coarser or sharp sand and cement are mixed without the addition of any water are bigger... Small amount of water you add to your mix detmines the cement-to-water-ratio have more of a plasticiser pointing., such as under paving, laying pavement, mixing with garden soil and under block paving upon it need. Of hydraulic action and carbonation to chip out only the loose material by mixture. If the slabs are bedded on concrete or cement-based mortar, you ’ ll have more of a chance pointing... Guide for a number of applications for laying brickwork, bedding tiles, rendering and plastering, Bath 1UA. Of two building materials, but this can result in a rough-looking finish when used for rendering is coarse can you use sharp sand for pointing! Little richer in lime than a standard pointing mix by having a longer mixing time the more workable ( ). Patio to be followed for Stonework pointing 4:1:1 4 sand: 1 OPC 1: lime your and... Its own to chip out only the loose material nhl 3.5 Moderately hydraulic lime.. Coarse sand, one bucket of white cement firmly, working from right to left weather struck joints rebate the. Sand particles is very important can affect the way they fit ( and open ) mortar to rest 15.