Two questions: Mortar Colour & Block query

[zappastix]

Hi

I am about to block 1/2 of a side garden door (bottom to middle)
so that I can install a bathroom double glazed window above.

MORTAR COLOUR

The whole property has been finished in a very sandy colour mortar.
I'm sure this would not have been an added colour, as this property is
around 30 years old.

I would like to keep the mortar lines the same colour.

I was thinking of adding more sand but I don't know if this will
weaken the mix.

Today I have 'toothed out' ready for tomorrow, and the mortar
was strong, so it seems that whatever the builder did, did not
weaken the mix.

Any ideas on how to obtain sandy colour mortar?

BLOCK WORK

Now I've got the door and frame out, I can see that the block
work has been returned.

For the window to fit I've got to angle grind 2 inches on
the width.

Below the window line the block returns are plastered.

My second question - to save me hacking off this plaster can
I just bond the blocks (less than 2 across) to the plaster
(which will also save me toothing out the block work)?

I will be using wall ties.

A 1/4 of the new block work will be hidden by a bath.

If you don't think this is a good idea - can I hack away
the plaster and bond directly block to block BUT not
remove every other block for tying in?

I hope I've made sense.

Any help or ideas welcomed.

Many thanks in advance.

Stephen

 

[^woody^]

Any ideas on how to obtain sandy colour mortar?

Sand colour? Would that be Sahara Red or Bahamas Cream or Arizona Ocre

The bags of sand at the merchants influence the colour the greatest, followed by adding various quantities of cement, lime or a dye

You will have to experiment

Adding "more sand" wont affect the colour but will make the mortar fall out as powder

The plaster at the reveals should be knocked off, and should come off easy enough too. Use fish-tail ties for the blocks, don't bother block bonding