White sand to make light coloured mortar

[Sam Odell]

Hi, looking for white sand, sometimes called silver sand, to make a very light mortar. I've ordered bags of silver Sand that look white in the pics, then they deliver briwn/yellow normal sand!

Anyone know what I can use? I'm using lime, cement and this evasive sand. Thanks

 

[Wayners]

I'd go look at local sand and gravel merchants. Colours can vary so go see what they have

 

[Alec_t]

Anyone know what I can use?

Children's sand-pit sand? That's often light-coloured so as to be non-staining.

 

[Sam Odell]

I'd go look at local sand and gravel merchants. Colours can vary so go see what they have

So I can use any kind of sand in mortar?

 

[Sam Odell]

Can I use this sand?? https://www.wickes.co.uk/Dansand-NO-GROW-Block-Paving-Sand---20kg/p/119555

 

[Wayners]

No.
It's too fine.
You want the correct sand for the job.
I don't know what you are doing but bricklaying sand maybe what you want?

 

[^woody^]

Play sand may not be suitable for mortar, it may contain contaminants that react with cement. Check with the supplier.

Silver sand is too sharp. It makes inflexible strong mortar.

You need building sand, or a high proportion of building sand in the mix, and look for a yellow or buff colour.

White cement or lime and normal cement will help.

 

[Sam Odell]

Play sand may not be suitable for mortar, it may contain contaminants that react with cement. Check with the supplier.

Silver sand is too sharp. It makes inflexible strong mortar.

You need building sand, or a high proportion of building sand in the mix, and look for a yellow or buff colour.

White cement or lime and normal cement will help.

OK thanks, so I just need the lightest colour building sand I can find

 

[Sam Odell]

It is a very low wall BTW, if that changes anything? Two layers of bricks

 

[aveatry]

I have had issues with sand colour - B and Q is really red and the mortar dries almost pink. I have found that mixing it with kiln dried sand 50/50 not play pit sand or no weed stuff an makes it much lighter.

 

[jj4091]

You can get cement dyes but not sure if they are compatable with line mortar.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Don't use anything other than building sand. Play or block paving sand may have rounded particles, these will fall apart much more easily than the more jagged particles that are used for building.

The Arabs import building sand for building in the desert, where they're literally surrounded by sand of the wrong type.

I find that building sand from almost any builder's merchant where I live is usually yellow, which makes a grey mortar that will weather to a nice natural buff.. Ring them up and ask, or go in and look. B&Q's building sand is awful, it's brown-orange and looks like mud with cement added.

You may find that the colour descriptions are exaggerations, as is the case with most building materials. E.g. "soft" sand (it's not), and "sharp" sand you definitely couldn't slice a tomato with. "White" sand probably isn't ever really white.