If you have a brick or stone home, you may have heard the word “mortar” before. Mortar is an essential component of millions of homes worldwide, yet many people don’t even know what it is. To help you better understand your home’s materials and how to take care of them, here we’ll address the questions, “What is mortar, and why does your home need it?”
What Is Mortar?
Mortar is a soft paste used to bind bricks, stones, and other construction materials. It fills any gaps between the materials and distributes their weight evenly.
Mortar exists in many forms. Some of the earliest mortars used were lime putty mortars, but today, Portland cement mortar is one of the most common kinds of binder. That said, Portland cement mortar isn’t the most suitable binder for most homes.
What’s the Difference Between Mortar, Concrete, and Cement?
A lot of people confuse cement, concrete, and mortar. These materials do share some similarities, but they aren’t the same. Cement is a binding element and a component of both concrete and mortar, but it’s never used alone. Concrete is used to build foundations, patios, and other structural building components, while mortar is most commonly used on the building facades to hold brick and stone together.
Why Is Mortar So Important?
If it weren’t for mortar, your brick or stone facade would be in shambles. Mortar strongly binds these materials so that they don’t fall apart. Without mortar, these materials would crack and fail, and moisture and other elements would be able to penetrate your home. Mortar also gives your home’s facade a neat, orderly appearance for maximum curb appeal.
It’s crucial to use the correct mortar and to maintain it to keep your home in excellent shape. As a rule of thumb, mortar needs to be softer than the stone or brick used. It also needs to have greater vapor permeability. Hard mortars such as Portland cement can work with tougher modern materials, but for most homes, soft and permeable lime mortar is a much more suitable choice.
Maintenance-wise, regularly inspect your home’s exterior for loose, crumbling mortar, and remember to have your mortar repointed every 20 years or so.
Now that you know what mortar is and why your home needs it, we hope you take the time to maintain your mortar. Well-maintained mortar translates into a protective, beautiful home exterior.
