---
title: "Steps of applying cement mortar"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 6
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:steps-applying-cement-mortar"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/steps-applying-cement-mortar
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Steps of applying cement mortar

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 6: Mortar

- Asked in: 2074 Chaitra, 2 marks
- Video: [Bricklaying Mortar Mix Explained](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTMGBLFt_-s) — Brickright building & landscaping
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/steps-applying-cement-mortar
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-6

## Question

Write down the steps of applying cement mortar.

## Short answer

Clean and wet the surface, then prepare mortar in the required ratio and use within 30 minutes. Spread a 10-12 mm bed, place bricks with frog up, fill joints fully, and check alignment. For plaster, apply base and finish coats, then cure with water for 7-10 days.

## Answer

For brick masonry or plaster, cement mortar is applied as follows:

1. **Prepare the surface:** clean the bricks or wall surface of dust and loose material, and wet the bricks (soak them for at least 2 hours) so they do not draw water from the mortar. For plaster, rake the joints 10-12 mm deep and wet the wall.
2. **Prepare the mortar** in the required ratio (1:4 or 1:6) and use it within 30 minutes.
3. **Spread a mortar bed** about 10-12 mm thick with a trowel over the lower course.
4. **Place the brick** (frog up) with firm pressure, tap it to level, and fill the frog and the vertical joints with mortar.
5. **Check** line, level and plumb for each course; remove excess mortar from the joints.
6. **Finish the joints:** point or strike them neatly.
7. **Plaster:** apply a first coat (about 12 mm), then a finishing coat (6-8 mm), and level it with a straight edge and float.
8. **Cure** with water for 7-10 days.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Bricks are soaked at least:
   A. 2 minutes
   B. 2 hours
   C. Not soaked
   D. 24 days
   Answer: B. So they don't draw water. (Key point: Surface prep)

2. Plaster is applied in:
   A. One 50 mm coat
   B. Only 1 mm
   C. 12 mm first coat, then 6-8 mm finishing
   D. Three 30 mm coats
   Answer: C. Level with straight edge and float. (Key point: Plaster coats)

3. Cure with water for:
   A. 1 hour
   B. None
   C. 6 months
   D. 7-10 days
   Answer: D. After finishing joints. (Key point: Curing)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Precautions while applying cement mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aprecautions-applying-cement-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6, asked 3×
- [Stepwise preparation of cement mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Astepwise-preparing-cement-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6, asked 4×
- [Cement and mud mortar properties, uses](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Acement-mud-mortar-properties-uses) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6
- [Mud mortar versus cement mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Amud-vs-cement-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6
- [Cement mortar versus lime mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Acement-vs-lime-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6
- [Properties of mortar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aproperties-of-mortar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 6, asked 3×

## Related in other subjects

- [Detailed specification of cement sand mortar 1:4](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Adetailed-spec-cs-mortar-1-4) — Construction Management, chapter 12, asked 2×
- [Detailed specification of cement sand mortar 1:6](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Adetailed-spec-cs-mortar-1-6) — Construction Management, chapter 12, asked 2×
- [Preparing cement mortar by manual process](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Amortar-prep-manual) — Building Technology, chapter 3, asked 2×
- [Mortar properties; cement and sand for 10 cum](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Amortar-quantity-10cum) — Building Technology, chapter 3