Length of mortar course

MouldyOldDough

I am trying to estimate as accurately as possible the total length of mortar in our 3 bed semi

To start with - the property is built on a slope - so the rear is an extra 1 metre of wall depth

I count roughly 60 brick courses with 215  * 65 mm bricks - with say 10mm between each course (for mortar)

Then there's the vertical courses !!

Windows and doors can obviously be removed from the total

Plus we have an new extension - just 3 metres by 4.5 metres ignored

Is there a simpler way to calculate the total length ?

henry24

Why do you need to know?

CliveOfIndia

As above - it's an odd question.  It's not something that's commonly related to insurance quotes.  If you're wanting some repointing, then the age-old method of getting a minimum of three quotes from trusted tradesmen is going to be your best bet.

Section62

MouldyOldDough said:

I am trying to estimate as accurately as possible the total length of mortar in our 3 bed semi

To start with - the property is built on a slope - so the rear is an extra 1 metre of wall depth

I count roughly 60 brick courses with 215  * 65 mm bricks - with say 10mm between each course (for mortar)

Then there's the vertical courses !!

Windows and doors can obviously be removed from the total

Plus we have an new extension - just 3 metres by 4.5 metres ignored

Is there a simpler way to calculate the total length ?

For an estimate it is easier to work out the area of the wall in square metres, then multiply by the length of mortar joint per square metre.

You won't be far out if you work on 60 bricks per square metre with a linear length of 300mm of mortar joint per brick (assuming stretcher bond).

MouldyOldDough

henry24 said:

Why do you need to know?

General knowledge 

CliveOfIndia

MouldyOldDough said:

henry24 said:

Why do you need to know?

General knowledge 

OK, it's an odd thing to want to know for "general knowledge", it doesn't come up often on "who wants to be a millionaire".  But if you really want to know, you either measure it and estimate, or else I refer to m'learned friend (hope they won't mind me referring to them as such) S62 who has given a pretty decent method of estimating.

stuart45

You'll need to add for the inner skin, internal walls and foundation brickwork as well. Dig some trial holes to check it's depth. Inside if it's blockwork there'll be less mortar. You might need to hack off some plaster.

EssexExile

MouldyOldDough said:

henry24 said:

Why do you need to know?

General knowledge 

Nothing to do with money saving then?

MouldyOldDough

EssexExile said:

MouldyOldDough said:

henry24 said:

Why do you need to know?

General knowledge 

Nothing to do with money saving then?

I am obviously thinking of getting some quotes for repointing the house and wondered what sort of sum I am looking at
And just wondered what the total length of mortar was

MouldyOldDough

Section62 said:

MouldyOldDough said:

I am trying to estimate as accurately as possible the total length of mortar in our 3 bed semi

To start with - the property is built on a slope - so the rear is an extra 1 metre of wall depth

I count roughly 60 brick courses with 215  * 65 mm bricks - with say 10mm between each course (for mortar)

Then there's the vertical courses !!

Windows and doors can obviously be removed from the total

Plus we have an new extension - just 3 metres by 4.5 metres ignored

Is there a simpler way to calculate the total length ?

For an estimate it is easier to work out the area of the wall in square metres, then multiply by the length of mortar joint per square metre.

You won't be far out if you work on 60 bricks per square metre with a linear length of 300mm of mortar joint per brick (assuming stretcher bond).

So you reckon 18 metres of mortar per m2 of brickwork? 

Section62

MouldyOldDough said:

Section62 said:

MouldyOldDough said:

I am trying to estimate as accurately as possible the total length of mortar in our 3 bed semi

To start with - the property is built on a slope - so the rear is an extra 1 metre of wall depth

I count roughly 60 brick courses with 215  * 65 mm bricks - with say 10mm between each course (for mortar)

Then there's the vertical courses !!

Windows and doors can obviously be removed from the total

Plus we have an new extension - just 3 metres by 4.5 metres ignored

Is there a simpler way to calculate the total length ?

For an estimate it is easier to work out the area of the wall in square metres, then multiply by the length of mortar joint per square metre.

You won't be far out if you work on 60 bricks per square metre with a linear length of 300mm of mortar joint per brick (assuming stretcher bond).

So you reckon 18 metres of mortar per m2 of brickwork? 

Roughly, yes.

But it depends on the bond, brick size, joint size, and the details of any openings.

For quotes there will be other factors that potentially have a far greater influence on cost - for example access, and whether scaffolding will be needed.