Brick Patio Mortar Repair

Tim, I have put a stone veneer fireplace in my greatroom using marble thinset and now need to do the mortar joints. I am planning to use a mortar bag but I have some questions:
1. If I mix my sand and cement the same every time (1 to 1) will the color stay the same?
2. I have a large variety of mortar joints (1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inch), so I quess it depends what look I want but do I need to point it up after squeezing in mortar? or can I just brush the joints?
Any other info would be appreciated.
I used the oxygenaged cleaner and non-linseed based sealer you suggested with good success.
Thanks, BC

BC,
The color should be the same. Use the same amount of water! Can't help on the joints, you will need to experiment.

I have been trying to use a grout bag to fill mortar joints on stoops and on brick projects so I don't make a mess. The problem I am having is trying to get the mortar to come out of the tip. If it doesn't come out, I add more water. If the mixture is too dry, the tip clogs up. I really wld like to use the bag, but can't seem to get it to work. Can you give me any advise about this. Thanks.

Peter,
I tell you in the column above exactly how to solve this problem. Read the last third of my answer again. The mortar needs to be fairly wet to flow, but you need to do one other thing..... My mortar joints probably have a compressive strength in excess of 6,000 PSI.

Can I store mortar mix in my basement, off the floor, where the summer humidity is about 70% for 4 months?

Jan,
It is a bad idea to store the mortar in conditions like that. You want an area where the humidity is very low.

I put in a large patio this weekend using big paver stones. After sweeping the dry morter in the joints, then wetting with a hose, I cant get the dried residue off the stones. Will weather bring back the orginal color, or am I going to be stuck?

Bart,
Mother Nature will remove it, but it will take time. You can also do it with muriatic acid and water.

A mess with brick pavers? A guy i know told me he has done many paver jobs with mortar. I went by an old house he said he done, nice. When he started mine, I got a clue he had no idea. He smeared mortar all over the face of the bricks, How can I clean this mess up? Is sandblasting a good idea?
I am doing the job now, learning curve for sure.

Tim, i have a problem... I build a brick barbeque grill with a granite countertop. the cement has left a stain on the brick. Is there anyway i can clean the bricks without damaging my countertop?

i was also told NOT to use acid.

please help
thanks jack

Tim I put a stone patio on top of my existing concrete patio. I haven't motared the joints yet and have found a few of the stones are loose. (my wife was helping and kept walking on the stone while it was wet) What is the best way to re-attach the stones that have come loose. Do I need to chip the motar base out, or just use a thin mortar to glue it to the old?
Thanks
Rob

Hi Tim,

We are laying a new brick patio & plan to fill the joints with a mortar bag.

1) Do we need to tamp the mortar down when filling to prevent any air pockets?

2) Do you recommend tooling or compressing the joints after scraping them flush?

Thanks for your help, Mary