Understanding Concrete, Cement, and Mortar | Ask This Old House
Host Kevin O'Connor explains the differences between three popular masonry materials. (See steps below.)
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Steps for Understanding Concrete, Cement, and Mortar:
1. Portland cement is a fine gray powder that hardens when mixed with water. It's seldom used by itself but is an important ingredient in many other masonry products.
2. Concrete is a mixture of portland cement, sand, and an aggregate, such as gravel or coarse stone.
3. Concrete is mixed with water, then poured or pumped to create foundation walls, footings, piers, slab floors, driveways, steps, and sidewalks.
4. Once fully cured, concrete can support immense structural loads.
5. Mortar is a mixture of cement, lime, and sand, and is commonly used to hold together bricks, concrete blocks, and stones.
6. Masons use a wide variety of trowels to apply, spread, pack, and tool mortar.
7. When cured, mortar is somewhat softer than concrete, which allows it to accommodate a small amount of movement in a wall without cracking or crumbling.
8. Concrete, cement, and mortar are available in various strengths and mixtures, so be sure to get the right one for your job.
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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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Understanding Concrete, Cement, and Mortar | Ask This Old House
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You gotta hand it to Kevin. He isn't a professional in the trades, but rather the everyman that looks at a home improvement project with a lot of questions. Those questions are what we need answers to, whether it's the basics of masonry, carpentry, painting, gardening, and many other jobs. Kevin is the go between for us the viewers and the professionals. Along the way, he has learned some things and imparts what he know just like Tommy, Roger, Jenn, and the others.
This is also relevant when doing repair work in historic cemeteries. Marble is a sensitive stone that requires materials specifically designed to deal with stonework.
Almost bought a bag of cement and then realized I needed mortar. Thanks video!
The first 15 seconds was me at homedepot. The reason i am here exactly.
@mim073
4 жыл бұрын
where
@thenormalyears
3 жыл бұрын
@@mim073 Home Depot
@mim073
3 жыл бұрын
@@thenormalyears I'm blind sorry lmao
@renatachammas2487
3 жыл бұрын
@@mim073 Same thing here
Extremely useful and straight to the point.
This is good to know. With concrete you need to get it right. Too much water will turn it into slurry which will crack, too much sand will turn it into mortar which will creep before it cracks, and too much gravel will make it bumpy and it will chip. If everything is placed in the right order you will have the right mixture and it will last for decades.
@sharky7665
5 ай бұрын
Not as long as the Romans though. 😊
Very brief, very much to the point, and very helpful. :)
I love that TV show. Always great information for us the first timers.😂😂
Concrete "can sustain heavy structural loads" however only in compression. That is why they put rebar into concrete which will be under a tension load.
@marshmelows
2 жыл бұрын
Exactly. So why don't we built everything with steel, you might ask. For a starter, steel is far more expensive than concrete, which is relatively cheap, both in material and workmanship costs. Feel free to continue/correct
Thank you! this was my biggest dilemma today, what to chose, no one in home Depot will help anymore
Thanks for ur explanation. It cleared up some confusion. Will aid me in selecting the right material for my DIY projects instead of guessing n possibly unsuccessful results. Kudos for ur video. New subscriber to ur videos. Anticipating ur next one.
Thanks for keeping it simple
Loved the explanation thanks
i never know that until now thanks for showing this video.
😮 Right to the point! 😂 Great video.🎬 I was looking for this exact info.
Best explainable practised ever thanks
So very well explained, thank you.
you didnt mention what cement is used for , and why they are different types for.
LOVED this video!
Hi. Great video. Im building an outside patio with porcelain tiles. They will be laying on 4 inch cement slab. The question I can’t get an answer to is what should I use to join the tile to the concrete. Unfortunately I’m getting a lot of different answers. Seems like everyone guesting and I’d love to have a correct answer. Please keep in mind that I’m in NJ. Cold in the winter and raining in the summer. Thank you.
This was SUPER helpful. Apparently I accidentally got the right thing (concrete) for my project 😅
I learned something today thank you very much
Thanks COOP ...
Hello Sir, can you please give me an advice? What should I use to make a flower pot, garden decor? Which one is the best to use? Thank you and God bless.
I should've watched this before trying to fix a wall footing!
Sort of related. When laying red brick path I’ve seen crushed stone base with polymeric sand in gaps. But I prefer the look of Mortar in the gaps but read that it must be on a concrete base. Can you mortar the bricks on top of crushed rock? TIA
Which one do I use for making sculptures? Wat about masonry? How do u use it?
Great explanation.
i lost the label on the bucket of cement or masonary mix i had last year. how can i tell the difference between the 2 powders? thanks for many years of great shows.
Hi, do you know the propositions of making concrete for second floor slab if i use original black cement, and how thick should i make the concrete and which massh wire should i use? I hope you answer my question. Thank you
Mortar should always be weaker than the material it's binding together. MaSoN wOrK. Every other letter in those words is a type of mortar. From strongest to weakest (M to K) they are just pre blended mix of Portland Cement and lime. The lime gives mortar elasticity and workability, but you lose strength. With soft material, such as most bricks, you want soft, forgiving mortar that allow for expansion, contaction and movement or shifting "S" and "N" are most common, with S being used for concrete block and it's rated for ground contact. PSI strength of 1800.. N is only rated at 750psi as it contains much more lime. It's typically only used for brick or soft stone, and above grade. The video mentions concrete so there's not much to explain there. It's just a mix of Portland, sand and gravel. If you're at home depot looking for pre mix concrete bags to pour your own little pad, do yourself a favor and buy some Portland too. Add a shovel of Portland for every couple bags of pre mix concrete you mix... Pre mix bags are very sandy and difficult to work with, especially if you're not a pro. Same with pre-mix mortar.. Sandy and won't stick to shit. If you're buying pre mix mortar for a home project, buy some regular type S or N (masonry cement) Mortar (with no sand) and blend some in with the pre mix mortar. MUCH easier to work with and a better mortar. The Portland cement can be made into anything you want. Stucco? Add sand at a ratio of 2-3 parts sand and 1 part Portland. Concrete? 3 parts aggregate- 2 parts sand, 1 part Portland.
@Thoughmuchistaken
4 жыл бұрын
Okay so I'm repairing a stone barn foundation. What should I be using to parge the exterior that will be below grade, and what should I use on the interior? I'm in Ontario so our buildings enjoy repeated freeze/thaw. Thanks for your above explanation.
@Gzusish
4 жыл бұрын
I used mortar mix (because it was what I had laying around) for a patio floor filler where I didn't put pavers.. am I in trouble? I had no idea the mortar was THAT much softer when dried than concrete
@yekutielbenheshel354
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
Great short video. His opening line made me laugh.
What would you use over wood that won't rot? Thanks
Thank you
You are awesome thank you I totally get it now.
Now if only we could teach people the difference between asphalt and bitumen.
I have no experience in construction, building, repairing, etc. But I wanted to know what the difference is between those three materials
Excellent to the point.
I’ve got a bag of mortar. I was thinking of adding stones to it to make up some concrete for a fence post. Would that work?
Sooo informative! Thanks a lot!
exactly to the point thank you
I've been a mortar guy for 35 years! Even used it to set a broken leg one time. Damn doctors wanted to charge a fortune!
@reubenpelham5735
7 жыл бұрын
Very interesting comment about doctors, you are resourceful.
@jonjohnson102
6 жыл бұрын
xD
@phylvalen9991
4 жыл бұрын
😂😂😂 very very good, quite ingenious!
Hi, I just wonder if you could tell me the right mortar formula to use on a stone wall. I own this very old house ( 1789 ) and is on need of minor repairs. I would like to use the right mixture for the job but ... I am not a mason. Thanks.
@EamonnKee
7 жыл бұрын
Miguel Navarro use a traditional lime based mortar. cement based mortar will be too hard.
@austinjay5915
7 жыл бұрын
Miguel Navarro cement and lime 3 to 1
I said the same thing walking into the store when I saw the different options I just walked right out!
Good info, I didn't know that.
When it comes to mortar if I have a basement or a house made with a wall like I'm the video and an earthquake happens is that wall structurally sound? It sounds like it wouldn't be since the mortar moves right?
Thank you Kevin, mystery solved!
Incredible
Mortar or portland cement for 8×8×16 concrete blocks? And what is mix ratio of product to sand?
thanks I learned today..
Thanks you for sharing this video! :)
so.. which one would you use for under a shower pan?
So I have a RiverRock foundation on our house…. What would be the right application for this type of foundation? Motar or? Can I use Rapid set motar or? Thanks
@Katana_00
Жыл бұрын
What type of mortar did you end up using??
is this Hasselhoff
@dfelixrx7
6 жыл бұрын
valentino mennor no it’s not.
Thanks bud
Man thank you I needed this info
Most of the mixes are just so so. If you’ve been in the trades for any length of time you’ll know how to make a mix that’s needed for your repair.
Thumb up on this.People confuse which one is it?😅😆😁
Good work
perfect work
NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Should i use concrete to make side walk?
Thanks Kevin! Now I know ;)
What should I use to fix my driveway big potholes?
@edmundooliver7584
4 жыл бұрын
rapid set cement dry in 20 min
does the lime in mortar make it toxic to anything? Ants for example?!
@onetwothree4148
5 жыл бұрын
Most cement products contain lime. It is quite caustic and can easily burn your skin if you do not wipe it off
Hey man I am going for a interview what is the correct ratio for mixing I get confused! Please help!
The link to the full episode does not work for me.
Remember this girls !
@laionemeihetahikoulakanate9515
5 жыл бұрын
😊😑😆
You don't need in to put lime in mortar if it's for a shower pan or some other dry pack situation. The lime not only gives the mortar flexibility, but makes it sticky for skimming or setting walls. But adding lime also makes the mix weak... Just buy some thin set
@geomodelrailroader
2 жыл бұрын
And it causes creep. If you have creep your stone work is going to crack which is bad this is why all joints need to be sealed with cement or the wall well fail.
What is parging?
Dan Marino, QB of the Dolphins, knows the difference between cement, concrete, and mortar?
I am Grout! :) How do these compare to grout?
That's interesting, builders in South Africa call mortar cement and vice versa.
What happens if you mix them all together
is sand the same as fine aggregate?
@JUANRAMONROBLES
6 жыл бұрын
necrobreen yes it is the same..
Why do the bags leak all the time?
how about thinset?
@joeg7537
8 жыл бұрын
Thinset is a type of mortar usually used to attach tile; it's sand, cement and an additive to help it cure properly.
what about grout?
Hi, I'm Troy Mcglure, you may remember me from such instructional videos as Mothballing Your Battleship, and Dig Your Own Grave And Save. For the next six hours I'll be taking you through the DOs and DO NOT DOs of foundation repair. Ready?
Excellento Uhuhuh
Isn't this a re-upload
enthousiastika
i like cement 1st and mortar second...
this is for pretty much 95% of the people who comment.... you needed this video instead of figuring it out yourself like everybody else
but what about hydraulic cement and epoxy tommy the people gotta know
how make cement
I just wish this guy was my son.
Already, I am certified Masson now 🤓📄
cool
How about "grout."
@robertkelly9772
6 жыл бұрын
Grout's portland cement with color added. And sanded grout is...
Re upload?
doesn't morter crack when used on pavers and stuff. I had a mason do some work on some pavers,and it's cracked. what a waste of money
i bought the green one but it doesn't getting hard i just wasted $8, now i know it should be portland cement, lol
David Hasselhoff's sober brother
Les gens français qui sont en SVT force a vous on est enssemble
You defined the problems but didn't offer any further information. Not very helpful.
He forgot grout
This show pony has never mixed a batch in his life
An ad for Disney before an ad for Quikrete. Jaysus. 🤬
Thank you .next time I’ll buy CEMENT…not concrete