One of the trickiest parts of repointing brick is matching the new mortar color with the old.
It’s important to get as close to a match as possible. Otherwise, your repointed brickwork will stand out like a sore thumb.
Here’s How You Can Match Up Your New Mortar Color With Old Brickwork:
Ways to match-up new brick mortar color with old include: 1. Use the same mortar as used in the original brickwork construction 2. Ask your local masonry supplier to match sample of old mortar 3. Use a pre-mixed repointing mortar (available in variety of colors from most home improvement stores/masonry suppliers) 4. Use a mortar tint or dye.
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4 Ways Of Matching Up New Mortar With Old
1. Use original mortar mix
Ideally, the best way to achieve an exact color match is to use the same mortar as used in the original brickwork construction.
While this sounds straightforward enough in theory, in reality, this is not always possible. If you’re working with an old home, for example, the original construction records may not be available, or the type of mortar used may no longer be manufactured.
In these cases, you’ll have to do your best to get a close match.
2. Bring sample of the old mortar to a local masonry supplier for a color match
They should be able to give you a good idea of what color you need and the type of mortar mix proportions you should use to achieve the color you want.
3. Use a ‘colored’ pre-mixed repointing mortar
These are available at most home improvement stores and masonry suppliers. They come in a variety of colors, so you should be able to find one that closely matches your existing mortar.
4. Use a mortar dye or tint
To find the right shade you will need to make up several samples of mortar on a piece of scrap wood.
- Add dye to each sample and continue adding more dye until you find a match.
- For dye, you will mix it into the dry mortar before you add water.
- With tint, which is a concentrated liquid coloring, it will need to be diluted before adding to the dry mortar.
This American made, Conspec pigment is available on Amazon for $10 (2 oz).
While getting the new mortar color to match with the old mortar is important visually, good looks won’t maintain the strength and integrity of your brickwork.
Getting the right ‘mix’ of ingredients for your mortar is vital if you want to maintain your brickwork for many years to come.
How Do I Get The Right ‘Mix’ Of Mortar To Ensure The Longevity Of My Brickwork?(3 Tips)
Mortar is the material used to fill the gaps between the bricks. If you’re repointing brickwork, it’s important to choose the right mortar.
The type of mortar you use will depend on the age of the building and the original construction materials.
If your house is less than 50 years old, you can use a pre-blended mortar mix
Make your own with:
- 1-part Portland cement
- 3-parts sand
If your house is more than 50 years old, you will need to use a lime and sand mixture
Again, you can make your own with a mixture of:
- 6-parts white sand
- 2-parts lime
- 1-part white Portland cement (The more lime you add, the lighter in color the mortar will be)
TIP: If you are unsure of the age of your existing mortar, take a sample to a local hardware store or masonry supplier. They can also help you to match the color of the old mortar as well.
For a more detailed guide on mortar check out our article below:
Water
The amount of water you need to add to any mortar mixture will vary depending on the weather and moisture content of the sand.
However, the general rule is:
- 1-part water to 3-4 parts mortar
Now that you have the correct mortar mix and color, you are all ready to repoint your brickwork!
Repointing brickwork is a great way to improve the look of your home and increase its value. If you’re thinking about repointing your bricks.
- be sure to use a pointing trowel that is slightly larger than the joints you’re filling. This will help ensure a smooth, professional-looking finish
- when applying mortar to the joints, be sure to firm it up with a wire brush before it dries. This will help ensure that the mortar adheres properly to the bricks and doesn’t crumble or flake off over time
- be sure to clean up any excess mortar that may have gotten onto the bricks before it dries completely, otherwise it will be hard to remove later and will spoil the look of the brick. You can use a stiff brush or water spray (not a power washer) to remove any unwanted mortar from the surface of the bricks.
For full steps on Re-pointing brickwork, check out this article:
What Alternatives Can I Use To Repair Or Maintain My Brickwork?
The most common way to repair brickwork is by repointing. However, this process can be time-consuming when doing-it-yourself and expensive when using a professional, so it’s not always the best option for everyone.
Sealants and patching compounds
Another option you have is to use a sealant or patching compound specifically designed for repairing mortar. These products are generally much easier to apply and don’t require as much time or effort.
Keep in mind though, that new compound won’t usually stick to the old mortar for long. Over time the new repair compound will loosen, so eventually brickwork will need repointing.
Quikrete is a pre mixed, easy to use, mortar repair and can be found for less than $8 on Amazon.
Conclusion
Often what puts beginners off trying brickwork repointing projects themselves are concerns over (1) Matching up the mortar colors (2) Achieving the correct mortar mix and consistency.
Using this article to guide you, and your local masonry supplier/home improvement store for specific advice on your particular brickwork project, there is no reason why a DIY beginner shouldn’t try small areas of repointing themselves.
Taking on a small repointing job – such as an area of brickwork in need of repair around a door or window frame – can be very rewarding and save hundreds of dollars in labor costs.
However, if the area in need of repair is extensive, or involves conducting repointing work at heights – a better option may be to call in a professional builder.
FAQs
Q: What is the best way to match new mortar color with old?
A: The best way to match new mortar color with old is to use the same sand, cement, and water ratios as the original mortar mix. You can also add pigments to the new mix to match the color of the old mortar.
Q: Can I use dye to match new mortar color with old?
A: Yes, you can use dye to match new mortar color with old. However, it is important to note that the dye may fade over time, causing the new mortar to look different than the old mortar.
Q: How do I test the color of the old mortar?
A: To test the color of the old mortar, you can scrape a small amount of it from a hidden area and take it to a masonry supply store. They can help you match the color with a pigment or dye.
Q: Can I use pre-mixed mortar to match the color of the old mortar?
A: Pre-mixed mortar may not match the color of the old mortar, especially if the old mortar was made with a custom mix. It is best to mix your own mortar using the same sand, cement, and water ratios as the original mortar mix.
Q: How do I apply the new mortar to match the texture of the old mortar?
A: To match the texture of the old mortar, you can use a pointing trowel or jointer to create the same shape and depth of the joints. You can also use a wire brush or sponge to rough up the surface of the new mortar to match the texture of the old mortar.
