I have a small concrete slab (12' x 3.5') that I would like to cover with bricks. Should I use mortar or cement to affix them? We live in a cold and wet climate where summer max temp is 90F, winter min is -30F, lots of rain in spring and fall. Not sure if that makes a difference.
hi im a builder in uk ...first ...mortar is building sand and portland cement ...do NOT add lime ..this is not used in this application ...you will need 3-1 mix ...by weight ..not volume ...you will need to use either a blue brick or a concrete brick ...a normal brick in this situation will not last 5 years in those winter temperatures ..the frost will blow the face off
if its a concrete slab of course use mortar. more adhesive than cement. cement are for bricks of course. but if you want the first layer of concrete to be attached to the brick use mortar like a said earlier. apart from that you can go on using cement to put the bricks together
You shouldn't use either. Bricks and mortar are meant for vertical application. If you used it in a horizontal application they would crack and get destroyed over the course of 5-10 years. The bricks are pourous and will allow water to get below them. Without drainage they will crack away from the mortar. The correct approach would be to lay a bed of sand on top of the concrete and use paving or interlocking bricks. You would pack them fairly tight together and then put some sand on the top and work it into the cracks with a broom. Look into interlocking brick, it's actually quite easy. I live in Canada. Winter is -30C and Summer +35C and everyone around here has interlocking bricks for patios and/or driveways. The other option would be to do an outdoor tile. That would be a lot more work and there is quite a bit involved in doing it successfully.
This Site Might Help You. RE: lay bricks on concrete - use mortar or cement? I have a small concrete slab (12' x 3.5') that I would like to cover with bricks. Should I use mortar or cement to affix them? We live in a cold and wet climate where summer max temp is 90F, winter min is -30F, lots of rain in spring and fall. Not sure if that makes a difference.
Mortar is a mixture of cement, sand, and lime, and it will work fine. Do yourself a favor and SEAL the pavers about 30 days after the installation. This will help keep water from penetrating, which can make the bricks release from the concrete, or crack from ice. Use the best sealer that a MASONRY SUPPLY place sells. It will hold up much better than anything you can get at Home Cheapo or Lowes.
