Question - Mortar over brick dome

[edsiajb]

Is there an advantage realized from covering the brick dome with mortar (I realize that it will add some thermal mass - which could be good or bad)?

I've seen countless photos of domes done both ways. I just cannot find any pros/cons information for this step.

I plan to tuck point all of my joints with mortar, then cover the dome with ceramic blanket and loose vermiculite (inside a dog house enclosure). Just wondering about the mortar coating between the brick and ceramic blankets...

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Question - Mortar over brick dome

As I did each course, any surplus mortar I used to cover the previous dome work. Just a good way to use up the extra mortar rather than just waste it.

[edsiajb]

Re: Question - Mortar over brick dome

As I did each course, any surplus mortar I used to cover the previous dome work. Just a good way to use up the extra mortar rather than just waste it.

I haven't had any excess mortar yet! I'm having to mix very small batches due to the weather - currently 94F and breezy - it's like building an oven inside a giant convection oven!

I'm having trouble keeping the brick moist - and the mortar is not workable very long at all...I can lay about 6 - 7 brick and then it is drying out. And I'm starting off with mortar a little wetter than normal. Maybe I should be doing this in the Fall or Spring....

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Question - Mortar over brick dome

I assume you are soaking your bricks before laying, if not try that to buy you some adjustment time. You can always wait until you are done and if you have the materials left the use them up on the dome, if not, so be it.

[edsiajb]

Re: Question - Mortar over brick dome

I assume you are soaking your bricks before laying, if not try that to buy you some adjustment time. You can always wait until you are done and if you have the materials left the use them up on the dome, if not, so be it.

Yes, I'm soaking the bricks overnight.

[browny]

Re: Question - Mortar over brick dome

Originally I started with the idea that mortar is 'glue' but after playing around with a bit of masonry I've evolved to think of it as a spacer that allows force to be transmitted from one block to another. So I wouldn't think a thin layer of mortar over the outside of the dome is going to do much structurally.

[Novaslo]

Re: Question - Mortar over brick dome

There is no need to soak the bricks that long. What I did, and it was hot here when I did my build.....I stopped wetting my bricks and went with a wet mortar in a mortar bag. I squeezed wet mortar into every crevice and cranny. It worked really well. You get the glue like contact when you have a brick that is drier. The wet bricks made it harder to work with. Just my 10 cents.

[cobblerdave]

Re: Question - Mortar over brick dome

There is no need to soak the bricks that long. What I did, and it was hot here when I did my build.....I stopped wetting my bricks and went with a wet mortar in a mortar bag. I squeezed wet mortar into every crevice and cranny. It worked really well. You get the glue like contact when you have a brick that is drier. The wet bricks made it harder to work with. Just my 10 cents.

G'day
Zackley ... Everything in moderation... A damp brick great. Cool and dry the "mud" sticks just great.
Real hot 40C and really dry brick will suck the moisture out of that "mud" really fast. The other extreme.
Sometimes it comes down to the builder finding out what suites
Regards dave