AMR Pre-Matched Mortar

Pre-Mix Mortars -  Get it certified and lab tested. Order mortar mixes pre-matched to your formula.

Acquiring a sample 

Use a hammer and chisel to remove the samples of mortar from the corners of the home or directly from one of the cracks.  Then send us these items:

1.      Send 2-3 samples of mortar which have been taken from the corners of the home, or from the specific work areas. 

2.     We will need a check or money order in the amount of $129.00 (US) for your mortar match and formula. See also Pre-Mix Mortars. For your convenience we accept credit card payments through PAYPAL. (if paying through Paypal, print an extra copy of your receipt to enclose with the mortar samples.)

Additional things which we will need: 

1.      your name/company name 

2.      a contact phone number 

3.      a mailing or E-mail address for the return of your mortar formula

4.    we also need the physical address of the project if it is different than the mailing address.   

5.    receipts for online purchase of mortar match or Pre-Mix Mortars if applicable   

Send these items to:
Alamo Masonry
1416 Mercedes St.
Benbrook, TX 76126


 

What is Pre-Matched Mortar?

• Pre-Matched Mortars are bags of mortar mix pre-matched and packaged for your specific project providing an exact mortar match.

How are Mortars matched?

• 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.

• This process requires 2-3 samples.

What is it for?

• Repairing areas of cracked or damaged mortar.

Why do I need Pre-Matched Mortar?

• Pre-Matched Mortars are matched by professionals and ensure a proper match for your project.

• 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-

• 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.

• 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-

• The various colors and tones in mortar must be matched in order to make the repairs disappear. These colors start with the tone of grey to white and then dyes or stains must be matched.

Color and grade of sand-

• 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?

• 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.

• 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?

• Pre-Matched Mortars are available for order online or through many local supply warehouses.

What are the procedures for ordering Pre-Matched Mortars?

• Acquire 2-3 samples of mortar at least 1 inch in size.

• Payment for mortar analysis: pay online or by check made payable to Alamo Masonry Repair.

• Payment for bags of mortar: these payments must be made online.

• 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.

• Send package to us at:
  AMR Labs/Alamo Masonry Repair
  1416 Mercedes St.
  Benbrook, TX 76126
   

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?

• 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.

For more information about Pre-Mix Mortars or where to send your samples click Brick Repair Mortars.

Our estimators will obtain samples for any projects we directly service.

What is the most important reason for using AMR Pre-Matched & Tuckpoint mortars?

• Consistency.

  Only AMR Mortars allow you to mix smaller portions of mortar and match to the existing mortar.

  Other mortar mixes only come in grey and white, and their bag is 70 pounds. Their ratios depend on mixing of the full package. This doesn't allow you to make smaller portions or mix the two for matching mortars. Doing either breaks the proper ratios of Portland cement and lime.

Our service professionals use AMR Mortars and Pre-Matched Mortars to ensure the quality you deserve.

Mortar Color Matching

Get an "Alamo Certified Mortar Match". (Get your match and use the contractor of your choice)

Alamo Certified Mortar Matching - The First Step to Quality Repairs

Our certified mortar matches are performed by our lab specialists. Each mortar sample is carefully inspected and analyzed to determine the grade of sand and color tones in them.

These matches are guaranteed to match within a reasonable tone to the original mortar. In most cases these matches are undetectable immediately upon drying.

Some matches may look lighter than the original mortar due to the levels of mold and/or mildew in the surface. These tones are best left to nature to recreate because they will vary greatly around the home, and they die back at different times of the year.

Please note that all orders within the state of Texas are taxable for both on or off line ordering. Our tax rate is 8.25%. (All orders from other states must be paid online)

Mortar Formula Confirmation

This formula is then physically tested and visually confirmed before being packaged into Pre-Mix Mortars.

Each formula is guaranteed to match (within a reasonable tone) in the color and texture to the samples provided from your home. Mold and Mildew may need to re-grow in the pores to complete the match. This part of natural aging we cannot recreate because these tones vary around your home and change throughout the year.

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 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.

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.

Copyright © 2007 James R. Nech/Alamo Masonry. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED