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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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