Mortar

About Mortar

Mortar is an essential binding material used throughout the construction industry to bond bricks, blocks and stone, as well as for pointing, repairs and specialist applications. MyToolShed.co.uk supplies a comprehensive range of mortar products including ready-mixed formulations, mortar additives, plasticisers, colouring agents and rapid-setting solutions designed for both professional tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts. These specialist products enhance traditional sand and cement mixes or provide convenient, performance-engineered alternatives for modern construction and repair work.

The range available at MyToolShed.co.uk includes mortar admixes that improve workability and frost resistance, liquid and powder mortar tones for precise colour matching, rapid-setting tile mortars for time-critical projects, and specialist epoxy and polyester-based repair mortars for structural concrete and masonry repairs. Trusted brands including Everbuild, Rust-Oleum, Bostik and Timco ensure professional results across all applications, from laying brickwork to repointing heritage properties and repairing damaged concrete surfaces.

Applications

Mortar products are essential across a wide range of construction and maintenance trades:

• Bricklayers and Blocklayers: Laying bricks, blocks and stone in new construction and extension projects
• Pointing Specialists: Repointing historic buildings, chimneys and weathered masonry
• General Builders: Structural repairs, alterations and various construction tasks
• Tilers: Fixing tiles to walls and floors in bathrooms, kitchens and commercial spaces
• Stonemasons: Traditional stonework and conservation projects requiring specific mortar characteristics
• Maintenance Teams: Reactive repairs to concrete and masonry in commercial and industrial settings
• Property Restoration Specialists: Heritage work requiring historically appropriate mortar formulations
• DIY Enthusiasts: Home improvement projects including garden walls, patching and minor repairs

Choosing The Right Mortar

Application Type: Identify your specific requirement – whether you're laying bricks, pointing existing masonry, fixing tiles or repairing damaged concrete. Express pointing mortars offer rapid application for exterior joints, whilst epoxy mortars provide superior strength for structural repairs. Mortar admixes and plasticisers enhance conventional sand and cement mixes for general construction work.

Setting Time Requirements: Consider your project timeline. Rapid-setting formulations achieve workable strength within hours, ideal for emergency repairs or cold weather working. Traditional mortar mixes with plasticisers offer extended working time for larger projects.

Colour Matching: For pointing and repair work, achieving an aesthetic match is crucial. Liquid and powder mortar tones allow precise colour matching across a wide range of shades to blend seamlessly with existing brickwork or contemporary finishes.

Environmental Conditions: External applications require frost-resistant formulations with enhanced weather protection. Mortar admixes improve freeze-thaw resistance and reduce efflorescence for exposed locations.

Safety Information

Skin Protection: Cement-based mortars are highly alkaline and can cause serious skin burns with prolonged contact. Always wear suitable waterproof gloves and protective clothing. Wash any skin contact immediately with clean water.

Eye Protection: Mortar dust and splashes can cause severe eye irritation or injury. Wear appropriate safety glasses or goggles, particularly when mixing or working overhead.

Respiratory Protection: Cement and mortar dust can irritate respiratory systems. Work in well-ventilated areas and wear appropriate dust masks or respirators when mixing dry powders, particularly in confined spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between mortar plasticiser and mortar admix?
Mortar plasticiser specifically improves workability and flexibility of mortar mixes, making them easier to spread whilst reducing cracking. Mortar admix is a broader term encompassing various additives that modify different mortar properties including setting time, strength, water resistance or adhesion. Plasticisers are one type of admix, but admixes can also accelerate curing, improve frost resistance or enhance waterproofing depending on their formulation.

Can I use rapid-setting mortar for all applications?
Rapid-setting mortars are ideal for time-critical repairs, emergency work and situations requiring quick strength development. However, their fast curing time limits working time, making them less suitable for large-scale bricklaying where extended workability is needed. They're perfect for post fixing, small repairs and tile adhesion, but traditional mortars remain preferable for extensive construction work.

How do I match mortar colour to existing brickwork?
Use liquid or powder mortar tones added to your base mortar mix. Start by identifying the closest standard colour to your existing mortar, then prepare small test batches with varying amounts of tone until you achieve a match. Remember that mortar lightens as it dries, so allow test samples to cure fully before comparing.