Richard Casady wrote:
On Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:37:30 -0400, hk wrote:

Perhaps the wall was built by non-union masons and the
mortar is mostly sand.

Mortar is supposed to be three quarters sand.

Casady


Kinda depends on the mortar and its use. Typical 3/1/12 "M" mortar is
indeed 3/4's sand, but that doesn't mean it is "mostly sand," because
"mostly sand" won't work as mortar. You need the other ingredients for a
real bond...portland cement and lime and depending on the weather and
strength, sometimes other incredients. And let's not forget the water, eh?

However, beginning apprentices build short walls out of brick and only
sand and water as their mortar, because the brick and the sand are
knocked over and used over and over.

Unskilled, poorly trained non-union masons are known to put too much
sand in their mortar mixes in order to save more money for the
contractor. I've also seen them build veneers walls 12' tall without the
use of brick ties and without putting in weep holes.