Repointing mortar mix

[svouts]

What is the best mortar mix for repointing? Can I buy it ready mixed, any suggestions?

 

[stuart45]

There is no mix that can be used in all situations. It depends on the type of brickwork, how exposed the wall is etc.

 

[svouts]

It is for an old garden wall 9" thick by 5' high. There are a few crack that I am gong to fix with resin and helical bars. Then I will rake out old pointing and re-point. I am thinking to buy a ready mix 5:1 and add some lime. What do you think?

 

[stuart45]

OK if the original mortar is a cement mix. If it's lime mortar use a lime mix such as NHL 3.5 and building/sharp sand 3/1 with the sand 50/50.

 

[svouts]

I found this ready mortar mix with 5 parts sand and 1 part cement.

http://www.heidelbergcement.com/uk/en/hanson/products/mortars/bagged/sand_and_cement_mortar.htm

I also found this lime:

http://www.builderdepot.co.uk/hanson-castle-25kg-bag-hydrated-lime.html

Shall I add another part of lime to make it 5:1:1?

Shall I prepare the lime with water to form a paste from previous night and then add it to the ready sand-cement mix?

 

[stuart45]

Just mix the lime in to the mix dry.