cement or mortar or concrete?

[richardmm]

hello everyone this site is helpful and as i am going through renovation and watching builders do thing i want to ask question for a future knowledge as i am going to brick up fireplace as it is empty with cold air and kids say cold coming from that place of wall near sofa.

so i know what a brick is and what type but what type of shall i get to for example if i want build a garden wall for example which should i buy concrete or mortar or cement?

and could someone tell me all 3 and examples where it would be used for my knowledge and why we use it for example why is concrete used in this field etc.

once i get answer i go b&q in morning
thank you

 

[noseall]

hello everyone this site is helpful and as i am going through renovation and watching builders do thing i want to ask question for a future knowledge as i am going to brick up fireplace as it is empty with cold air and kids say cold coming from that place of wall near sofa.

so i know what a brick is and what type but what type of shall i get to for example if i want build a garden wall for example which should i buy concrete or mortar or cement?

and could someone tell me all 3 and examples where it would be used for my knowledge and why we use it for example why is concrete used in this field etc.

once i get answer i go b&q in morning
thank you

Soft building sand, cement and plasticiser (additive) to make mortar.

Concrete common bricks or blocks to brick up the fireplace.

External (clay) facing bricks with a FL rating for garden walls.

Concrete i.e. ballast mixed with cement for wall foundations.

Screed sand (AKA - grit sand, sharp sand, concrete sand) mixed with cement to repair floor screed.

 

[richardmm]

nose all thank you good advice again no surprise

so if i want to build a small brick wall for garden can i just use normal cement from b&q and add some sand?

it says i can use some aggregate to mix with the cement and it will equal to concrete but is this suitable for the wall? i assume the small brick wall will be more stronger with concrete?

 

[stuart45]

You'll struggle to lay bricks with concrete.

 

[phatboy]

Concrete (typically 20mm stones, sand, cement, water) is for foundations, and concrete blocks
Mortar (Sand and cement (4 parts to 1 part approx), water) is for attaching blocks or bricks together in a wall
Cement is just a component, rarely of any use just on it's own.

 

[richardmm]

You'll struggle to lay bricks with concrete.

why? Just curious thank you

 

[richardmm]

and if I want to plaster some wall then will cement mix with sand be ok? I have 2 bags but no plaster powder.

 

[Stuckinarut]

If you’re bricking up a fireplace, often an air vent is required, otherwise condensation may form.

 

[phatboy]

and if I want to plaster some wall then will cement mix with sand be ok? I have 2 bags but no plaster powder.

Sand and cement will make a good base coat, if you have plastering (washed) sand, but more work than a bag of Hardwall.

You will then need plaster to make the top coat, usually Thistle MultiFinish.

 

[noseall]

and if I want to plaster some wall then will cement mix with sand be ok? I have 2 bags but no plaster powder.

It depends on the sand. As said a rinsed (plastering sand) will work. Fattier softer building sands will likely dry out too quickly and shrink and peel.

 

[stuart45]

why? Just curious thank you

It'll be full of gravel.

 

[JohnD]

You can use a sand and cement render on an internal wall. It has a longer working time than plaster and IMO is easier for a beginner to get a reasonably flat surface. In my district it is traditionally used as backing, You can press it into gaps in the brickwork and if will be stronger if you need to fix to it. I find it good for setting electrical backboxes or chases. Spray the bricks to dampen them first as cement products gain their strength by combining with water, not by drying out.

But unless it is in a garage or something you will need to finish with a hard plaster skim.

 

[richardmm]

But unless it is in a garage or something you will need to finish with a hard plaster skim.

what is difference please? why not cement appliable here?

 

[JohnD]

Render is not smooth enough for a good decorative surface. The plaster skim smooths it so you can paint or paper the wall. You can skim over cement render.

Garages are not usually decorated much.

 

[richardmm]

okay thank you so i have the gerneral purpose cement purchased from b&q and i have some building sand also purchased from b&q what ratio should i do for just plastering the chimney wall. as the chimney wall was plastered before but the previous owner removed the plaster and now only bricks are showing but i have painted it in white color.

i know ratio is 4:1 sand and cement for general thing like brick layer but what should i do but plastering the chimney?