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About Marc Chapelle, ASLA
Expertise
As a licensed Landscape Architect, I can answer general questions about style and design, ideas and suggestions for site amenities, larger site-planning issues, or recreation and park design. IF YOU JUST WANT A PLANT SUGGESTION GO HERE: http://www.growit.com/PlantInfo/LandScape.htm I prefer you ask somebody else why your petunias are not as perky as they should be...I'd LOVE to tell you how can use those petunias to increase your home's value!

Experience
Member, American Society of Landscape Architects (ALSA.org); Past clients have been mostly contractors, developers and local civil engineering/architecture firms, plus the occasional homeowner. Currently, I design recreational facilities for the National Park Service (DOI). I am located in the dry Great Basin area (Greater Nevada/Utah), so the use of landscape materials OTHER than plants is emphasized. As a licensed Landscape Architect on the East and West Coasts, I have been in practice over 20 years.

Organizations
ASLA (ASLA.org)

Education/Credentials
BSLA in Landscape Architecture, 1989 Many additional seminars, educational venues, and classes (both taught & attended)

Awards and Honors
Best Multifamily project, 1993 Best Model Home Landscaping, 1993

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Exterior Decorating > Landscaping & Design > landscape mortar

Landscaping & Design - landscape mortar

Expert: Marc Chapelle, ASLA - 6/19/2009

Question
The mortar between my landscape bricks is either missing or in bad shape. I think all I need is to buy some mortar and put it between the bricks. Do I need to mix sand or anything with the mortar first?

Answer
Hello, Mike:

Mortar is a mixture of sand, lime, water, and cement. There are different types based on percentages of how they all get mixed together; indoor, outdoor, water-resistant, etc.

Here are some web resources discussing the two main types, N & S:

1.) What Mortar is:
http://www.essortment.com/home/mortarsandceme_szvs.htm

Now that you've got a batch, here is what you can do with it.
2.) If you want to lay whole bricks into new, wet mortar:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2216289_lay-bricks-wet-mortar.html

3.) If you just want to re"point" or re-grout your existing, crumbly-mortared bricks (I know it is a wall, but the concept is the same for a patio):
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-repoint-a-brick-wall.navId-323595,p...

It is a chore and a mess. At the big-box stores (Home Depot, Lowes, True Value, Orchards, Southern Farm Supply, etc.) There are "patch" kits of small bags of pre-mixed mortar - except for the water part. Kinda like ready-mix pancake batter....Never tried them, so I cannot recommend a brand.

Be sure to read the side of the bag to see what else you may need besides water & a wheel-burrow.

good luck! ~Marc

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