How Do You Put Mortar on Brick?

The process of applying mortar to brick involves carefully placing and packing the mortar into the joints between bricks to create a strong and durable bond. Here's a breakdown of how to do it:

Steps for Mortaring Brick

1. Gather your tools and materials: You'll need a brick trowel or hawk, a tuck-pointing trowel, and of course, your mortar.

2. Prepare the mortar: Ensure your mortar is properly mixed to a workable consistency. It should be thick enough to hold its shape but pliable enough to be spread easily.

3. Scoop the mortar: Use your brick trowel or hawk to scoop a dollop of mortar.

4. Apply to the bed joint: Hold the dollop of mortar up to a horizontal bed joint (the space between bricks laid side-by-side in the same row).

5. Pack the mortar: Using your tuck-pointing trowel, push the mortar firmly into the joint. Make sure to pack it tightly to eliminate any air pockets, or voids, which can weaken the bond.

6. Fill horizontal joints first: Always fill the horizontal bed joints before moving on to the vertical head joints. This provides a more stable foundation for the structure.

7. Fill the vertical joints: Once the horizontal joints are filled, repeat the process to fill the vertical head joints (the space between bricks in adjacent rows).

8. Finish the joints: After applying the mortar, the joints can be finished to create the desired aesthetic appeal. This can include tooling with a special tool to create a concave or other specific finish.

Summary in Table Form:

By following these steps, you can effectively put mortar on brick, creating a strong and visually appealing masonry structure.