Pointing - Cement Color

[DIYer Northwest]

Hi All,

Looking to do a bit of pointing on the side of my house, current mortar color is a light color. I have a bag of red (ish) builders sand and a bag of cement, will i be able to make a similar color with this or will it be too red/dark?

Do i need anything else?

Any advise is much appreciated.

 

[jj4091]

mix a sample and let it dry

 

[DIYer Northwest]

mix a sample and let it dry

Ive made two small samples using a pre mix bag and also red sand and cement . Both are slightly different colors and very dark at the moment until it dries properly. Anyway of making a more lighter color as still think its will be darker than the current pointing?

 

[noseall]

Hi All,

Looking to do a bit of pointing on the side of my house, current mortar color is a light color. I have a bag of red (ish) builders sand and a bag of cement, will i be able to make a similar color with this or will it be too red/dark?

Do i need anything else?

Any advise is much appreciated.

That looks like standard 5:1 red sand/cement, but struck early*.


*Pointing colour or appearance can change, depending on how and when it is struck. If you laid two panels of brickwork with same muck and struck one soon after laying and the other panel an hour after (when the muck has firmed up a bit), the later struck one will appear darker and denser. Particularly if its overly rubbed up.

When re-pointing and after raking out - always hose down the masonry before pointing. Let the water soak in a bit. Have a bucket of water and a brush handy for topping up the damping.