Page 68 - PH_Masonry_Final_Ver 1_July 2020

Mixing Mortar by Hand on Site

 Small quantities of mortar will often be mixed by manual means rather than by using a me-
chanical mixer.

 A clean, hard surface should be used for mixing the materials. A concrete surface is ideal if

one is available because it can be cleaned effectively after mixing.

 An alternative surface would be a large piece of plywood board which is free from debris or
anything that may contaminate the mortar mix.

Procedure for mixing

1. Measure and place all the materials on a clean surface/platform in a form of pile.

2. Mix the ingredients repeatedly into a pile making sure that all the materials are thoroughly
mixed together using spade.

3. Form a hole/crater or indentation in the middle of the pile of dry mix.

4. Add water to the mix. The amount of water should be approx. 0.6 of the weight of cement.

5. Mix the material with water from the middle until all the water has been incorporated into the mix.

6. Turn repeatedly the materials until the mix is a fatty workable mass.

7. Alert: Adding more water to the mix will make the mortar easier to lay but it will reduce the

strength by up to 30%.

Participant Handbook : Masonry 68