Pointing brickwork All manner of questions and solutions to problems and issues surrounding the subject of brickwork, blockwork and stonework

[chris watts]

I have been pointing brickwork using a standard mix of 1 part cement to 5 parts soft sand. Trouble is, the MORTAR in the finished joints IS NOT SETTING HARD. Instead, it is 'crumbly' and can be scraped out with a thumb nail. What could be causing this??

[monty_trace]

use 1 part cement 3 parts building sand, hope this helps