Mortar texture/colour match for property in Worcestershire built in the late 50s

TheJay

The texture is like sharp sand, the colour is yellow/tan. 

Has anyone needed to match this colour and texture and had any luck? If so, what combination did you use please?

Alter_ego

Matching mortar is trial and error. Just keep making mixes using different sand till you get close. Remember to let your trial mixes dry completely before judging it.

twopenny

I haven't had to match that one but have a couple.

I go to a builders yard and ask the guys who stock it. They're pretty good at identifying and telling you the mix.
You have good photos there to take with you.

TheJay

I spent a few hours on Saturday doing that.




I've struggled to get my hands on yellowish sand that resembles sharp sand with bits of stone in it.

FreeBear

A 1950s property is possibly a lime mortar rather than cement based. Is it fairly easy to dig out and does it fizz if a drop of vinegar is applied ?

If so, then it is likely lime.

Mike Wye does a premixed coarse pale yellow which may be a close match. If not, they can do a colour matching service, as can Ty Mawr. Other suppliers of lime products offer a similar service.

TheJay

Thank you so much for your reply. It fizzes a little bit, what do you think?

https://i.imgur.com/v1eQs6s.mp4

It is very easy to get out even by rubbing with a finger.

FreeBear

Certainly has all the characteristics of a lime mortar. Cement based would be pretty tough unless it were a very weak mix.

If you go for a full fat lime putty mortar, it will keep indefinitely as long as it is stored in a sealed tub somewhere away from the frost. So if you get something that is a good colour match, you don't have to worry about using it all up in a short space of time.

Also worth picking up a churn brush and watching a few videos on using one (tip - Wait at least a day before whacking the joint with a brush).

stuart45

Mortar in the late 50's was often gauged with lime as a 1/1/6 or 1/2/9 OPC/lime/sand mix, so there will be some lime in it.

TheJay

The big question then, is was it hydraulic lime or hydrated lime? How can that be determined? I know hydrated lime is added to cement like a plasticiser (as described by Stuart) and hydraulic lime is a cement substitute.

stuart45

The odds are that it's a gauged mortar for a house built late 50's. That is lime/cement/sand. 

TheJay

I mixed hydrated lime with a sample of sharp sand and sieved ballast sand this morning. The results look far too light, so I am guessing you are right in that it's not hydraulic lime and sand. 

So half an hour ago, I mixed cement and hydrated lime with a sample of sharp sand and sieved ballast and we'll see how it comes out. I'd say it's not going to be right, so I need to find a pale yellow sand I suspect and will check out the links above.