A mixture of water, cement, sand, and Additives mixed into a strong but sticky glue is called Mortar.It is used to hold brick, stone, and tile together in masonry.Thinset is a type of mortar used for tile work.You could make your own mortar out of cement to save on costs, but powered mortar is simple to mix, and has a consistent quality to it.After you make a bucket of thick but spreadable mortar, you can use it to install tiles over a wall or floor.
Step 1: You can mix a more consistent mortar by choosing a thinset powder.
Thinset mortar is used to bond tile to concrete.Most of it comes in a powder form that you mix with water.You know you are getting a quality product when you buy a powdered mortar.Thinset cement, dryset mortar, and drybond mortar are all the same product, so keep that in mind.Thinset mortar is not the same as masonry cement.When you use more mortar, it gets stronger.Thinset mortar is the best choice for tile.You can get a pre-mixed thinset mortar in a plastic tub.The only thing you have to do is add water.It is easier to use than mortar made from powder, but it is more expensive.
Step 2: A 5 US gal (19 L) plastic mixing bucket is what you need to pour the water into.
You need about 1.5 US gal of water for a bag of mortar.If you plan on using a lot of mortar, adjust the amount.When you add the water to the bucket, make sure to reduce the amount of dust kicked up by the mortar.Before you start, check the instructions on the bag of mortar.A different mixing ratio may be recommended by the manufacturer.
Step 3: The mortar should be put into the bucket gradually.
Put on a mask before mixing mortar because it gets messy.Safety glasses and gloves are required for additional protection.The mortar should be poured into the water with a trowel or a paddle mixer.You don't need to rush and dump it all in at the same time because you can always add more mortar at this point to reach the proper consistency.If you want to estimate how much mortar you need, you should take the length of the longest and shortest walls in the room.Divide the number by 95 to figure out how many bags of mortar there are.If you have a 12 ft 12 ft room, you need about 2 bags of mortar to cover the floor.When you pour the powder into the bucket, it turns into a cloud of dust.If you want to limit the dust, pour the mortar slowly.If you add the powder to an empty bucket, wear a mask.
Step 4: The mortar should be mixed for 3 minutes.
The consistency of a thick peanut butter or toothpaste can be reached by stirring the mortar.Pull your mixer out of the mortar and make a swirl.The mortar is ready if the swirl stays up.You can change it by adding more water or powder.If you want to make the mortar thicker, mix in more powder.To thin it, use water.In order to blend the ingredients as thoroughly as possible, you should mix the mortar a little more than you think.The mixing time can be different.To make sure the mortar reaches the right consistency, you could spend 5 to 10 minutes mixing.
Step 5: Let the mortar rest for a while.
Slaking is a part of the process.Rest the mix to make sure all of it becomes mortar.Additives are important for bonding.The mortar stiffens up if you don't let it rest.You end up with tiles that don't stick to the mortar.
Step 6: For 1 minute, stir the mortar again.
Give the mortar one last stir to distribute its ingredients evenly.Continue stirring until you get the consistency you need for your project.The mortar will stand up when you work it into ridges with your trowel.At this point, don't add any water or powder.Adding extra ingredients thins the mix out.
Step 7: You can make your own mortar out of cement and sand.
The basic component of a mortar mix is Portland cement.You need a matching amount of sand with no clay or stones in it and a liquid latex Additive to strengthen the mix.These ingredients are less expensive on their own than powdered or pre-mix thinset mortar, but they are more difficult to mix to the correct consistency.When you mix multiple batches, it's difficult to get them all to the same consistency, which is the biggest issue with custom mortar.Start with a powder to make sure you get the right consistency for your project.When you are ready to experiment with combinations of cement and sand, make your own mortar.
Step 8: Sand is sieved through a wire screen.
Tiny stones have to be removed from sand.Get a piece of wire fencing with small openings.Put the fencing on top of a bucket or tarp and pour sand on it.The sand will fall through the screen and leave stones on top of it.The mortar is rougher because of the stones.Thinset mortar is weakened by this, but it isn't a problem with thicker concrete.
Step 9: Portland cement can be put into a mixing bucket.
You should open the cement bags for the project.If you don't know how much you need, start with a small amount.You don't need a thick layer of thinset for mortar tiles if you use about 12.5 lbs.As you go or make a second batches, you can always add more mortar.Measure the length of the longest or shortest walls in the room to calculate how much cement you need.Divide the total by 95 to get an estimate of how many bags of cement will be needed.Try to make as little mortar as possible.After that, the mortar becomes useless.
Step 10: Use a trowel to stir the sand into the cement.
At first, add sand mortar lightly.For a small amount, plan on using about twice as much sand as concrete.After adding the sand, tilt the bucket at a 45 degree angle and begin stirring the mixture with a trowel.Sand and cement should be removed from the sides of the bucket as you work.You should wear a mask, safety glasses, and gloves to protect yourself from dust.If you don't have a trowel, you can use a paint mixer or mixing stick.
Step 11: Add cold water to a bucket.
The water will be used for the mortar mix.Start with a small amount of mortar.There is plenty of room in the bucket for the remaining ingredients.You can always add more water later to thin the mortar.You can't remove what you add to the mix.You could try mixing it in bigger batches once you become familiar with it.Smaller batches are easier to mix to a good quality.
Step 12: The sand and cement can be mixed with a paddle.
Plug the end of an electric drill into a paddle mixer to make it easier to mix.To reduce the amount of dust that comes up, pour the cement mixture into the water.Then, put the ingredients in a bucket.To avoid mortaring everywhere, start the paddle on a low setting.For at least 3 minutes, mix the mixture together.You have an opportunity to determine the consistency of the mortar.The mixing process takes longer if you stir the mortar with a trowel.It will take at least 5 to 10 minutes to stir it by hand.
Step 13: Change the mortar's consistency by adding more cement, sand and water.
Getting it to the correct consistency is one of the hardest parts of making custom mortar.Thinset mortar needs to have a consistency similar to a thick batter, peanut butter, or toothpaste.The mortar should be stirred each time to test the consistency.To thin out the mixture, use more water.Adding more sand and concrete will make it stronger.
Step 14: Allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes in a dark area.
The shaded area will prevent the bucket from drying out before you have a chance to use it.If you don't let it rest, it weakens and dries very quickly.The mixture should be set aside so it can be activated.The bucket should be set away from windows.You could put it in a closet or under a tree.
Step 15: The mortar can be strengthened by pouring a liquid latex Additive into it.
The mortar's strength is due to the liquid latex.A stiff mixture doesn't stick to tile without it.Use a paddle mixer to stir in about 0.125 US gal (0.47 L) of the Additive.If you mix the mortar well it will distribute the Additive evenly.You can mix in another 0.125 US gal (0.47 L) for every pound of concrete you use.If the mortar is still a little too thick, you could add more to thin it out.
Step 16: Allow it to rest for another 5 minutes.
As it absorbs water, give the Additive some time to work.Pick up some of the mortar with a trowel.Start laying tile if the mortar hangs off the end of the trowel without falling.If it isn't ready yet, blend the mortar and let it rest.If you wear a latex glove for safety, you can pick up a little bit of mortar.If the mortar is thick enough to be spread with a trowel, you can use it for tile.