Best mix for small mortar repairs - 1930s solid walls

[EBudd]

Hello,

Looking to repair small bits of mortar that have fallen out and need filling in my 1930s solid walled property.

In other discussions I've been made aware that the original mix may not have necessary been entirely lime based, and by the 20s/30s may have had cement mixed with lime, or even been a week cement mix.

Any suggestions for a product suitable for small repairs, or a mortar mix that would likely be suitable? The bricks are quite hard, took a while to drill when putting up the house number, if that helps.

Thanks

 

[a twig]

If the bricks really are as hard as you suggest a 1:1:6 mix would probably do you, 1 cement, 1 hydrated lime and 6 sand

 

[EBudd]

If the bricks really are as hard as you suggest a 1:1:6 mix would probably do you, 1 cement, 1 hydrated lime and 6 sand

Thanks. Took a fair while to get through with a standard DeWalt drill driver. Got some softer ones in the garden that I tested on and drilled through in a third of the time - but that might not be a very good comparison.

Do you have any tips on getting a good colour match with a 1/1/6 mix?

I've heard on properties such as this with the first floor rendered, that the ground floor could be cavity and first floor solid. But from the garage you can see the bond of the original wall that looks to be some variation of common bond, which I thinks suggests it's all solid.

 

[stuart45]

The bond is Flemish Stretcher bond. You run a number of courses of Stretchers, and then a course of Flemish.
To get a mortar match, using a similar sand helps. To get a sample of the sand, cut a bit of mortar out and drop it in some brick acid. You'll be left with sand. If you use a metal jointer to finish the joints it brings a cement or lime laitance to the surface, so you get a skin of the binder on the surface. As this weathers away the colour of the aggregate begins to show. You can see this on your joints.