AMR
Brick Repair
Mortars
AMR
Tuck-Point Mortars
What are
AMR Tuck-Point Mortars?
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Tuck Point Mortars are
repair mortars that
make brick repair faster, easier, and more consistent because they come pre-mixed
in a wide variety of color tones and mortar types, and come in smaller more
usable portions.
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Just add sand and water and you are ready to go.
What are they for?
AMR Mortar Uses
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Tuckpoint mortars are used for repairing
cracked or damaged mortar while maintaining proper ratios of Portland to
lime.
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Repairing masonry cracks
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Replace broken bricks
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Repointing mortar joints
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Brick archway repairs
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Repair brick steps
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Repair brick and stone patios
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Repair landscape walls
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Fix brick foundations
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Repair basement walls
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Repair cracks in brick walls
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Seal leaking mortar cracks
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DIY brick repair
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Cracked brick repair
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Loose brick repair
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Brick mortar repair
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Patio repair
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Flagstone repair
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Repair and repoint mortar deterioration
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Replace damaged mortar
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Repair brick and stone window sill
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Masonry restoration
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Build brick wall
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Brick wall repair
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Brick wall cracks
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Fix brick arch
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Falling bricks
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Repair hairline cracks
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Fix hairline cracks
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Fix brick after plumber
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Repair brick deterioration
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Repair brick hearth
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Repair fireplace mortar
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Repair chimney cracks
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Mailbox repairs
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Install new Mailbox insert
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Repair cracks in brick mailbox
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Fill holes in brick and masonry siding
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Pool coping and waterfall repair
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Repair concrete walls and gutters
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Repair masonry retaining walls
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Chimney mortar repair
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Chimney repointing
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Brick fireplace repair
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Fireplace and firebrick mortar
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Repair chimney mortar cap
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Chimney flue repair
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Repair chimney crown
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Chimney leak repair
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Chimney flashing repair
What types of mortar are available?
What is the difference between these mortar
types?
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Type "k' has a crushing pressure of 75 PSI.
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Type "O" has a crushing pressure of 350 PSI.
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Type "N" has a crushing pressure of 750 PSI.
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Type "S" has a crushing pressure of 1800 PSI.
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Type "M" has a crushing pressure of 2800 PSI.
What makes AMR Tuck Point Mortars different?
How many color tones do they come in?
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Type "K"
9 tones
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Type "O" 11 tones
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Type "N" 17 tones
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Type "S" 17
tones
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Type "M" 17 tones
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Cement.
17 tones
Why are they better?
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AMR Mortars are the only mortars available in
the many different types and tones.
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This makes them better because it is no
longer necessary to re-mix mortars to achieve the different tones.
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Re-mixing prepackaged mortars breaks the
ratios within the bags of mix.
What do you mean, break ratios?
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Most bags of mortar mix come in 70 pound bags
of Grey and White mix. These bags require mixing of the full content of the
package.
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Each bag contains a mixture of Portland
cement, lime, and other additives which are proportioned to meet the ASTM
testing standards.
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Mixing of anything less than the whole
package or mixing portions of the grey and white bags to make smaller
amounts of mortar or to achieve different tones of mortar changes the ratio
of Portland to lime.
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This results in inconsistent mixtures that
may not meet the required crushing pressures (too hard or soft) or the ASTM
testing standards.
Why do I need
AMR Mortars?
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Because AMR Mortars come in several different
types and tones and come in a 1 gallon bag, there is no need to break the
ratios of the mortar.
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These mortars will meet the ASTM testing
standards, reduce wasted materials, save you time matching mortars and
mixing them, and ensure a more consistent mortar for your project.
How do I choose the
AMR Mortar I need?
Why is this important?
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Use of a mortar that is too soft can result
in rapid deterioration or may not be strong enough to carry the load of
weight above it.
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Use of mortar that is too hard can cause
damage to the bricks, prevent proper bonding to the original mortar, or
prevent a masonry structure from being able to breathe properly causing mold
or other damage.
We can test samples of mortar for you or you
can test them to determine the type of mortar needed.
Type "k' mortar has a crushing pressure of
75 PSI.
Type "O" mortar has a crushing pressure of 350 PSI.
Type "N" mortar has a crushing pressure of 750 PSI.
Type "S" mortar has a crushing pressure of 1800 PSI.
Type "M" mortar has a crushing pressure of 2800 PSI.
Compare your mortar to our sample chart for
your mortar type to match the tone of White to Grey.
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digital charts are
available online, or
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physical sample charts
are available at hardware/supply warehouses near you. Ask for them in your
local stores.
Where can I get
AMR Tuck-Point Mortars?
Tuck-Point Mortars
– Matching Mortar
When we first set out to make brick repair better, we started custom matching
the mortar to each and every project. This was a great step in the right
direction. Repairs to the mortar no longer had to look like a repair. Over time,
we started to find problems with the methods. The biggest problem that we found
was in the mix itself.
For many years, we used the available mortar mixes for grey and white Type “N”
mortars. By mixing the grey with the white and adding different pigments, we
were able to match any mortar color. (Color matches were done in the
lab.)
This sounds great, right? Well, the problem was in the mix. Problems occurred in
the mixing of Type “N” mortars. Sometimes these mortars would remain soft or
crumble. Other times, the mortar would seem to separate in the wheelbarrow and
grout bags and dry harder.
After careful study of the problems, it was determined that the mix was
inconsistent throughout the bags that we were mixing, and that these bags were
intended to be mixed all at once for use. Not in small portions.
Some portions of the bags were mostly lime and produced softer mortar. While
other parts of the same bags were dominantly Portland and produced a harder
substance (concrete).
We found that it was necessary to create our own Type
“N” mortar from the base products (Portland and lime). This gave our mixes the
consistency they required.
All of our Pre-Matched Mortars meet the required ASTM standards (C91)
(and are ASTM C270 compliant with a proper sand gradation.)
Although we were able to correct this problem and produce quality mortars, many
contractors are still using the same methods as before. They are still making
the same old mistakes, and many are not capable of matching the color.
Both aspects of mixture and pigments are very important to achieving a proper
mortar match, and must be done in the control of a lab.
With this in mind, I ask the question. Even if a contractor is matching the
color of your mortar, is the mortar they create a proper match?
The answer is simply, “No”!
If they are just mixing portions of bags (in any ratio) of existing Type
“N” mixes, then their mortar blends are not consistently compliant with the
ASTM standards that regulate this industry, and their mortar may not match
the required crushing pressures of the original mortar.
This is why Alamo Masonry Repair Products have been made available to the
homeowners and contractors alike.
We believe that any job is worth
doing right. Our Pre-Matched and Tuck-Point Mortars come in
smaller more usable portions
and are perfect for any masonry repair
project. They meet the required ASTM testing standards and properly match the
original mortar of your structure.
All Pre-Matched Products are custom made to order.
AMR Pre-Matched Mortar
What is Pre-Matched Mortar?
How are Mortars matched?
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These mortars are matched through a lab
analysis that determine color of mortar color and gradation of sand, and
relative crushing pressures of the samples tested.
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This process requires 2-3 samples.
What is it for?
Why do I need Pre-Matched Mortar?
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Pre-Matched Mortars are matched by
professionals and ensure a proper match for your project.
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These mortars are analyzed to determine
crushing pressure, mortar color, and the color and grade of the sand used.
Why are these important?
Crushing Pressure-
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Use of a mortar that is too soft can result
in rapid deterioration or may not be strong enough to carry the load of
weight above it.
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Use of mortar that is too hard can cause
damage to the bricks, prevent proper bonding to the original mortar, or
prevent a masonry structure from being able to breathe properly causing mold
or other damage.
Color of mortar-
Color and grade of sand-
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The color and grade of the sand will affect
the tones found in the mortar and the way that dyes are absorbed. In
addition, the size of the aggregates will affect the texture of the mortar
and performance of mortars. If a mortar match doesn't contain proper sand
gradation, it may not match the visual appearance of the original.
What makes AMR Pre-Matched Mortars different?
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AMR Mortars come in a smaller more usable
portion, and because it is pre-matched there is no need to adjust the color.
These two factors make AMR Mortar better because there is no need to break
the ratios within them. They are pre-matched.
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All other products available come in Grey and
White, and come in 70 pound bags. These 70 pound bags require full package
use to maintain proper ratios, but require adjustment to match color tones
which will break their ratios.
Where do I get Pre-Matched Mortar?
What are the procedures for ordering
Pre-Matched Mortars?
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Acquire 2-3 samples of mortar at least 1 inch
in size.
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Payment for mortar analysis: pay online or by
check made payable to Alamo Masonry Repair.
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Payment for bags of mortar: these payments
must be made online.
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Package: Samples in a bag, a copy of receipt
for mortar analysis or a check, copy of receipt for the number of bags
ordered, your name, job name, job address, and shipping address.
Your products will be shipped to you within
5-10 business days.
Some delays may occur with large orders or volume of orders being processed.
What if I need more bags?
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Your order is kept on file with the formula.
simply place your order for more mix, and refer us to the previous order
placed. We will need your name (company), and job name/ address to pull up
the file.
All masonry mortars are required to meet certain guidelines.
These are set forth as the ASTM standards. If you are mixing mortars for
construction use, they must meet specific ASTM ratings. For most commercial and
residential structures, the mortar must meet the ASTM C91 standard or ASTM C270.
Only testing labs can authorize and approve a mortar mix to meet the ASTM
standards.
For nearly 10 years now, we have been using Certified
Mortar Matching and bags of Pre-Matched Mortar for our own use. We
have recently opened these products to the public in an attempt to provide
quality products and service to a larger range of customer.
Our Products are available to Individuals
and Contractors alike. We make Tuck Pointing and Brick Repair easy.
Our mortar blends
meet the required testing standards as set forth by the ASTM (ASTM C91 and
are ASTM C270 compliant) for their
specific type and function. Only Alamo Masonry Repair Products deliver
the quality you deserve.
Every sample is lab tested and matched to the original
mortar of your structure, and must pass the approval of our lab technicians
before any Pre-Matched Mortars are bagged.
Match the mortar in color and texture to the original mortar of your home
and know that your mortar is properly mixed and meets the Government guidelines
established in the ASTM standards.
Most mortar matches are not visible immediately upon drying.
We have all seen those cheap
brick repairs and cheap
repair products. They leave ugly lightening bolts down the side of your home and
tend to crumble or peel away from the brick.
This is what happens when you trust the average mason contractor to mix mortars or those
generic products at your local hardware store. Further, you don't know if the
mixture they are using meets the required ASTM standards for construction
mortars.
For many contractors, the idea of matching the
mortar is just something they tell you.
Unless they are using a lab to match your mortar, they are just guessing
at how to match it. This is why there are labs to test mortar and to determine
if mixed mortars meet the ASTM standards.
As far as the various
brick (crack) repair products
available at the hardware store, they are often worse for
these repairs. Many of these products are some form of caulking. Which are messy, and will not match the mortar.
They will decrease the value and diminish the look of your Brick Home.
Every home is different. This is why you cannot use a
generic repair product. The generic mortar mixes only come in grey and
white, but mortar changes over time. Light mortars become darker and dark
mortars become lighter. The new mortar has to match the current condition of
the mortar to match and age properly.
Over time the new mortar will age just like the original
mortar has, but the old mortar also continues to age. This is why the
current mortar condition must be matched.
The only way to properly match the current condition of
the mortar is through lab
tested, certified mortar matching. This requires a few samples of your
mortar for analysis and takes about a week in processing.
(For ASTM C270 testing we require some of the sand to be
used in the project and this test takes about 30 days.)
(ASTM C270 requires a sand gradation of C144 sand.)
ASTM C91 uses a generic sand gradation that is more
comparable to your available sands. C144 is harder to locate.
Most structures are built using mortars that meet the
ASTM C91 specifications for their mortar mix due to the availability of C144
sands.
Alamo offers Certified Mortar Matching and sells bags of
Pre-Matched Mortar. These
mortars are lab tested and matched, and are guaranteed to match
the mortar from your home based on the samples provided and meet the ASTM C91
requirements.
These Pre-Matched Mortars are easy to use, and
assure you to have a perfect job every time.
All Pre-Matched Products are custom made to order.
Brick Repair has evolved over the years, and
Alamo Masonry has been at the leading edge of each of these changes. We were
among the first to specialize in Brick Repair, and we founded the Custom Color
Matched Mortar System which allows us to match the mortar every time. And now,
Alamo Masonry provides
"Alamo Certified Mortar Matches " to companies and individuals around
the world, helping them to complete a
proper brick repair.
"Mortar Matching, the first step to
quality repairs."
As always, we will continue to provide the
highest quality of service and product to our customers at reasonable prices.
Our products and services include
free estimates for brick repair,
brick repairs,
the "Brick Repair Guide",
Certified Mortar Matching,
Brick Repair Videos, brick and foundation inspections and consulting,
and yearly maintenance schedules.
Brick Repair Made Easy.
Pre-Mix Mortars
- Order mortar mixes pre-matched to your formula.
Check out Brick Repair Kits and
other Products. (click here)
Brick Repair Kit - Fire-Box Repair Kit - "Liquid Brick" Repair Kit
Brick Repair Report - Learn everything you should know about brick repair. Learn what
causes problems with the brick and grout, how to prevent these problems, perform
maintenance, and what questions to ask when finding a contractor. This report
tells all. It will even tell you how to find a quality contractor in your area.
Don't even call contractors until you know the facts. The information contained
in this report will help you to make a well informed decision and save you
money.
-
Know what is causing your problems.
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Know how to prevent recurring problems.
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Know what quality you should expect and how to
identify the quality you will receive.
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Learn the risks involved in having these repairs
performed.
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Learn how to protect yourself from these risks.
-
Learn how to find quality contractors for any
project.
Get your report now for $7.95.
Copyright © 2007 James R.
Nech/Alamo Masonry. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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