How to Mix Type S Mortar

Most Type S Mortar mix that you can use for grout comes in a powdered form that you mix with water. While the bag will have instructions for you to follow, we've broken down the basic steps for you here.

What You'll Need

• Five gallon bucket
• Hand drill
• Mixer attachment
• Your bag of mortar
• Water

Step 1

Make sure that your five gallon bucket is clean and dry before you start. Add about 2 inches of clean water to your bucket. Mixing the mortar can be messy, so it is a good idea to put down a tarp or some old news papers before you add your mortar mix. The mortar will be heavy, so mix it close to your thin brick project where you will be working.

Step 2

Dump in half of the bag of mortar mix. Dump in the powder slowly and hold your face away from the bucket so you don't breath in the dust. Adding the water first helps reduce the amount of dust that comes up out of the bucket when you poor it in.

Step 3

Install the mixer attachment on your drill and tighten the drill chuck to hold the it firmly. Hold the drill down towards the ground and away from your body. Then test that the attachment is secure by activating the drill slowly at first and then speed up to full throttle. The mixing attachment should not wobble or come loose.

Step 4

Put one foot on the top of the bucket to keep it steady. Start mixing slowly and then speed up as the powder mixes in. Mix the mortar until all of the powder is incorporated.

Step 5

Let the mortar sit for about five minutes and then give it another stir. The consistency should be similar to  cake batter. Add additional water or mix to get the desired consistency.

Pro tip: Only mix as much as you need. Don’t mix more than you can use in the next 30-40 minutes.

For more videos on installing Old Mill Brick products, please visit oldmillbrick.com/install