Brick Repair Facts
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Brick Repair Mortars

Tuck Point Mortars – Matching Mortar

When we first set out to make brick repair better, we started custom matching the mortar to each and every project. This was a great step in the right direction. Repairs to the mortar no longer had to look like a repair. Over time, we started to find problems with the methods. The biggest problem that we found was in the mix itself.

For many years, we used the available mortar mixes for grey and white Type “N” mortars. By mixing the grey with the white and adding different pigments, we were able to match any mortar color. (Color matches were done in the lab.)

This sounds great, right? Well, the problem was in the mix. Problems occurred in the mixing of Type “N” mortars. Sometimes these mortars would remain soft or crumble. Other times, the mortar would seem to separate in the wheelbarrow and grout bags and dry harder.

After careful study of the problems, it was determined that the mix was inconsistent throughout the bags that we were mixing, and that these bags were intended to be mixed all at once for use. Not in small portions.

Some portions of the bags were mostly lime and produced softer mortar. While other parts of the same bags were dominantly Portland and produced a harder substance (concrete).

We found that it was necessary to re-mix these bags or to create our own Type “N” mortar from the base products (Portland and lime). This gave our mixes the consistency they required.

All of our Pre-Matched Mortars meet the required ASTM standards (C91) (and are ASTM C270 compliant with a proper sand gradation.)

Although we were able to correct this problem and produce quality mortars, many contractors are still using the same methods as before. They are still making the same old mistakes, and many are not capable of matching the color.

Both aspects of mixture and pigments are very important to achieving a proper mortar match, and must be done in the control of a lab.

With this in mind, I ask the question. Even if a contractor is matching the color of your mortar, is the mortar they create a proper match?

The answer is simply, “No”!

If they are just mixing portions of bags (in any ratio) of existing Type “N” mixes, then their mortar blends are not consistently compliant with the ASTM standards that regulate this industry, and their mortar may not match the required crushing pressures of the original mortar.

This is why Alamo Masonry Repair Products have been made available to the homeowners and contractors alike.

We believe that any job is worth doing right. Our Pre-Matched Mortars come in smaller more usable portions and are perfect for any masonry repair project. They meet the required ASTM testing standards and properly match the original mortar of your structure.
 

All masonry mortars are required to meet certain guidelines. These are set forth as the ASTM standards. If you are mixing mortars for construction use, they must meet specific ASTM ratings. For most commercial and residential structures, the mortar must meet the ASTM C91 standard or ASTM C270. Only testing labs can authorize and approve a mortar mix to meet the ASTM standards.

For nearly 10 years now, we have been using Certified Mortar Matching and bags of Pre-Matched Mortar for our own use. We have recently opened these products to the public in an attempt to provide quality products and service to a larger range of customer.

Our Products are available to Individuals and Contractors alike. We make Tuck Pointing and Brick Repair easy.

Our mortar blends meet the required testing standards as set forth by the ASTM (ASTM C91 and are ASTM C270 compliant) for their specific type and function. Only Alamo Masonry Repair Products deliver the quality you deserve.

Every sample is lab tested and matched to the original mortar of your structure, and must pass the approval of our lab technicians before any Pre-Matched Mortars are bagged.

Match the mortar in color and texture to the original mortar of your home and know that your mortar is properly mixed and meets the Government guidelines established in the ASTM standards.

 Most mortar matches are not visible immediately upon drying.

We have all seen those cheap brick repairs and cheap repair products. They leave ugly lightening bolts down the side of your home and tend to crumble or peel away from the brick. This is what happens when you trust the average mason contractor to mix mortars or those generic products at your local hardware store. Further, you don't know if the mixture they are using meets the required ASTM standards for construction mortars.

Most contractors can't even get a close match to your mortar and they don't know the required mixes or ratios for producing ASTM approved mortars.

For many contractors, the idea of matching the mortar is just something they tell you they can do in order to get your money. Unless they are using a lab to match your mortar, they are just guessing at how to match it. This is why there are labs to test mortar and to determine if mixed mortars meet the ASTM standards.

As far as the various brick (crack) repair products available at the hardware store, they are often worse than having a brick mason do these repairs. Many of these products are some form of caulking. Even the ones with caulking and sand in the tube are messy, and will not match the mortar. They will decrease the value and diminish the look of your home.

Every home is different. This is why you cannot use a generic repair product. The generic mortar mixes only come in grey and white, but mortar changes over time. Light mortars become darker and dark mortars become lighter. The new mortar has to match the current condition of the mortar to match and age properly.

Over time the new mortar will age just like the original mortar has, but the old mortar also continues to age. This is why the current mortar condition must be matched.

The only way to properly match the current condition of the mortar is through lab tested, certified mortar matching. This requires a few samples of your mortar for analysis and takes about a week in processing.

(For ASTM C270 testing we require some of the sand to be used in the project and this test takes about 30 days.)

(ASTM C270 requires a sand gradation of C144 sand.)

ASTM C91 uses a generic sand gradation that is more comparable to your available sands. C144 is harder to locate.

Most structures are built using mortars that meet the ASTM C91 specifications for their mortar mix due to the availability of C144 sands.

Alamo offers Certified Mortar Matching and sells bags of Pre-Matched Mortar. These mortars are lab tested and matched, and are guaranteed to match the mortar from your home based on the samples provided and meet the ASTM C91 requirements.

These Pre-Matched Mortars are easy to use, and assure you to have a perfect job every time.

Brick Repair has evolved over the years, and Alamo Masonry has been at the leading edge of each of these changes. We were among the first to specialize in Brick Repair, and we founded the Custom Color Matched Mortar System which allows us to match the mortar every time. And now, Alamo Masonry provides "Alamo Certified Mortar Matches " to companies and individuals around the world, helping them to complete a proper brick repair.

"Mortar Matching, the first step to quality repairs."

As always, we will continue to provide the highest quality of service and product to our customers at reasonable prices. Our products and services include free estimates for brick repair, brick repairs, the "Brick Repair Guide", Certified Mortar Matching, Brick Repair Videos, brick and foundation inspections and consulting, and yearly maintenance schedules.

Brick Repair Made Easy.

Pre-Mix Mortars - Order mortar mixes pre-matched to your formula.

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Copyright © 2007 James R. Nech/Alamo Masonry. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Brick Repair and Tuckpointing Mortars

Alamo Masonry Brick Repair provides Masonry Repair and Repointing services full time in: Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Plano, Carrollton, Lewisville, Grand Prairie, Flower Mound, North Richland Hills, Arlington, Benbrook, Crowley, Burleson, Cleburne, Granbury, Johnson County, and the surrounding DFW area. We also have affiliates in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and other metro areas across the US.