Everything You Need To Know About Mortar Guns

Masonry mortar is a mixture of sand, water, and binder (s). It is used to ensure the adhesion of the bricks and to distribute the loads. To this mixture will sometimes be added adjutants or additives. Therefore, the mortar pointing gun must be well suited to the brick to be used.

The bricks are listed in classes according to their initial water absorption: from IW1 to IW4. For good adhesion, good hardening, and good setting of the mortar, it is important to harmonize the choice of mortar with these IW classes.

Industrial mortars

Industrial mortars are mortar pointing gun that are totally and partially prepared in the factory. The properties and performance requirements with which these mortars must comply are described in the standard. Unlike mortars prepared on-site, industrial mortars have the advantages of stable composition and quality. Thus, it is also possible to opt for a mortar bearing a quality label certified voluntarily (BENOR, for example).

What is the difference between a fully factory-prepared mortar and a partially factory-prepared mortar?

For mortar-pointing guns that are fully prepared in the factory, all the ingredients are mixed in the factory before arriving on site. The mortar can arrive on-site in dry or wet consistency. The wet mortar is delivered to the job site in bins and is ready for use. It contains, in particular, setting inhibitors, thanks to which it will retain its workability for 24 hours, for example. The mortar hardening process will begin with the first contact with the brick. The addition of adjutants, however, will increase the risk of efflorescence.

Factory-prepared dry mortars are compound mortars mixed in the factory. All people have to do on-site is add the correct amount of water. The dry mix for mortar will be delivered to silos. However, since the heavier particles in the dry mix will land faster at the bottom of the silo, partial demising may occur. Partially prepared mortars in the factory will provide the solution here.

For partially factory-prepared mortars, the components will be stored at the factory in multi-compartment silos. The dosage and addition of water will be carried out on site. These silos have two compartments: one for the sand and the other for the binder (any additives).

The use of mortar in silos offers the following advantages:

• The dosage remains precise and uniform over time
• Possibility to adjust the fluidity
• Little loss of time when preparing the mortar
• Lack of intake inhibitors
• Possibility of adding additional adjutants using a measuring device
• Components are weather protected
• No waste of raw materials or packaging waste

For further details concerning certain mortars, their fields of application and properties, as well as the instructions for use, you can always contact the manufacturer concerned.

Thin-layer mortar and adhesive

Applying a thin gasket (nominal gasket 5mm) instead of the standard 12mm thickness will give the facade more vibrant colors and a more pronounced expression.

Conclusion

Not so long ago, gluing was the only method for making mortar pointing gun masonry work with thin joints. Today, several possibilities are available to you, both thanks to the evolution of bricks and modified mortars.

Sarah K, a professional writer who share interests in different creative niches. Her ideas and tips towards such niches have contributed to the online community.