How-to Guide

Instruction guide and tips for repairing mortar joints using Sakrete mason-craft. Specially, for repointing masonry walls indoors and outdoors.

How to Repair Mortar Joints

FOR REPOINTING MASONRY WALLS INDOORS AND OUTDOORS

SAKRETE mason-craft is a pre-blended, pre-packaged, Type O Mortar, specifically designed for use in repointing and non-load-bearing wall applications. This mortar is a blend of Portland Cernent, Type S hydrated lime, masonry sand and other carefully selected components. SAKRETE mason-craft conforms to ASTM C 270 for Type O Mortar, with the addition of water. It is grey in colour, but can also be blended with a variety of colouring agents. Ready-to-use; just add water!

Uses

Repointing

lndoors or outdoors, for any other masonry application where low strength and superior workability is required

PROCEDURES: The substrate and mortar temperature should be between 5 °C (40 °F) and 38 °C (100 °F) and mantained in this range for 72 hours after mortar application. 

STEP 1: Mixing: For best results, add a maximum of 145 ml (5.0 oz) of clean water per 1 KG (2.2 lb) of SAKRETE mason-craft, into the mixer. Gradually add SAKRETE mason-craft to water and mix with either a paddle-mixer or drill-mixer. Operate until the mix is heavy-bodied enough to retain its shape when fashioned, by hand, into a ball. Wait approximately 30 minutes before the application. It is important to mix the entire contents of the pail.

STEP 3: Repointing: Clean the area to be repaired, removing all loose material, at a thickness corresponding to 2 times the thickness of the joint. Moisten the area to be repaired with potable water, leaving the old masonry unit saturated but free of standing water (SSD). Place SAKRETE mason-craft into the joint in successive layers, to a maximum depth of 6 mm (1/4 inch). Compact well and let dry slightly before adding additional layers. Tool the joints prior to the final settime, in order to optimize carbonation.

STEP 4:  Curing: Curing is essential to optimize the physical properties of the mortar. Curing is performed by using a wet-cure that must start from the initial set of the mortar, and continue for a period of 3 days.

How-to Video

Tips for repairing mortar joints with SAKRETE mason-craft:
  1. Remove loose mortar.
  2. Dampen surface.
  3. Avoid a soupy mix.
  4. Use proper safety equipment (i.e. safety glasses, gloves, etc.).