Mortar Mixes, Ratios and their Intended Applications



This is free advice to help out DIY'ers that may only have a small job that needs doing and doin't want to find themselves paying out £100's of pounds for what may only take a couple of hours work. We hope this helps.

Personal Safety

  • Gloves
  • Eye Protection
  • Dust Mask
  • Workwear Overalls
  • Safety Boots

Preparing The Work Area

  • Clear all walkways of trip and slip hazards
  • Set sheets down in work areas
  • Wet the masonry if raking in an enclosed area
  • Close nearby windows & doors
  • Bring Tea and Cake

Pointing Old Solid Brick Walls

  • 6 parts building sand
  • 1 part hydrated lime
  • 1 part portland cement
  • Plasterciser

Pointing Modern Cavity Brick & Concrete Block Walls

  • 5 parts building sand
  • 2 parts hydrated lime
  • 1 part portland cement
  • Plasterciser

Rendering Old Solid Brick Walls

Base Coat
  • 8 parts plastering sand
    (9 parts: for infirm / flaking stone or brick masonry)
  • 2 parts hydrated lime
  • 1 part portland cement
  • Liberal Plasterciser
  • Waterproofer
  • Retarder
  • Fibreglass fibres
  • SBR Glue

Finishing Coat
  • 5 parts plastering sand
  • 1 part hydrated lime
  • 1 part portland cement
  • Plasterciser
  • Waterproofer
  • Retarder
  • Fibreglass fibres
  • SBR Glue


  • Tip: Buy 3-in-1 - Plasterciser | Waterproofer | Retarder.

    • Rendering Modern Cavity Brick & Concrete Block Walls

    Base Coat
    • 8 parts plastering sand
    • 2 part hydrated lime
    • 1 part portland cement
    • Liberal Plasterciser
    • Waterproofer
    • Retarder
    • Fibreglass fibres
    • SBR Glue

    Finishing Coat
    • 5 parts plastering sand
    • 2 parts hydrated lime
    • 1 part portland cement
    • Plasterciser
    • Waterproofer
    • Retarder
    • Fibreglass fibres
    • SBR Glue


  • Tip: Cream of Tartar also acts as a retarder (slows the reaction in the render mix - more time to work with it).

    • Pointing Groundwork

    Stone Paving
    • 3 parts sharp sand
    • 2 parts hydrated lime
    • 1 part portland cement
    • Minimal Plasterciser
    • SBR Glue
    • Liquid Latex (recommended)

    Concrete Flags
    • 3 parts sharp sand
    • 1 part hydrated lime
    • 1 part portland cement
    • Minimal Plasterciser
    • SBR Glue

    Coloured Mortar

    Base Coat
    • Powdered Mortar Dye @ 50:1 [Brick Red | Black | Stone Buff]
    • 3 parts building sand
    • 1 part hydrated lime
    • 1 part portland cement
    • Plasterciser

    • Tip: for every 50kg of sand, use 1kg (one-tin) of mortar dye.

    • Tip: we use double the binder ratio to counter-act mortar dye weakening effect.

    Pointing Wall Headers & Coping Stones

    Headers & Coping Stones
    • 3 parts sharp sand
    • 1 part building sand
    • 2 parts hydrated lime
    • 1 part portland cement
    • Plasterciser
    • Waterproofer

    Pointing Lead Flashings

    Lead Flashings
    • Re-fix loose lead using lead-wedges hammered into joint
    • Use LeadMate or similar - gunnable Silicone / Mastic
    • If using Mortar - use a 'Stone Paving' Mix

    • Tip: Use 'flashing repair tape' in emergencies.
    • Tip: Standard Silicone still out-performs Mortar

    • Tip: LeadMate sealed works are as good as a Lifetime Guarantee on flashings fabricated from code-4 graded lead and above

    VIEW ORIGINAL TAMESIDE POINTING WEBSITE: 2011

    VIEW ORIGINAL TAMESIDE POINTING MOBILE WEBSITE: 2014