I doing some pointing on the roof and the chimney looks FOKED!

[clipperjay]

That cement mix looks very weak for roof pointing 

I thought possibly it might have been, which is why I only did that section!
I'll wait for it to dry, but I was doing 4 part sand to each 1 part cement?
If it crumbles off I'll know to do 3 part sand to one part cement problem is every one had there own formula? (shrug shoulders)
 

[justalex81]

fvck the formula. i'd have used a 1:1 mix 

[golf-sib]

fvck the formula. i'd have used a 1:1 mix 

+1 I've always been told 1:1 for a good job, I've got to do some brick laying soon as well 

[clipperjay]

Concrete
General Purpose Concrete – 1:2:3 mix

Ideal for most uses except foundations and exposed paving. It is composed of one part cement, two parts sand and three parts coarse aggregate. If using combined aggregate, this mix would be 1:4, one part cement to four parts combined aggregate.

Foundation Concrete – 1:2 ½:3 ½ mix

Ideal for wall foundations or bases and laying paving slabs, etc. One part cement, two and a half sand and three and a half coarse aggregate. If using combined aggregate, this mix would be 1:5.

Paving Concrete – 1:1 ½:2 ½ mix

Used for exposed paving such as driveways and garage floors. One part cement, one and a half parts sand and two and a half parts coarse aggregate. Combined aggregate would need a mix of 1:3 ½.
Mortar

Standard Mortar 1:5 mix

Used for internal or sheltered bricklaying. Mix one part cement to 5 parts soft sand. Add a small amount of lime or one part plasticizer to increase the workability. This type of mortar mix is perfect for use in an internal block partition wall.

Strong Mortar 1:4 mix

Used for exposed brickwork. Mix one part cement to 4 parts soft sand. Again, add a small amount of lime or plasticizer to increase the workability.

[cullygti]

im a bricklayer mate and 3-4 sand to 1 cement should be fine if your replacing the bricks you would be better using an engineering brick as they do not absorb water which is what you dont want as its a chimney and a good weather struck joint would be best suited to finish it off rather than raked out if you need any info on raking tools to finish the mortar joints pm me 

[clipperjay]

im a bricklayer mate and 3-4 sand to 1 cement should be fine if your replacing the bricks you would be better using an engineering brick as they do not absorb water which is what you dont want as its a chimney and a good weather struck joint would be best suited to finish it off rather than raked out if you need any info on raking tools to finish the mortar joints pm me 

cheers mate Its all guess work from my end but I'm happy I just got on with it!
I thought about buying a mortar rake irwin diamond rotour I think it 10cm odd, but the motar is so old I should be able to just scrap it out as I've learned about over cutting bricks with the angle grinder on vertical joins 

[cullygti]

np mate like i say if you get stuck give me a shout 

[raptorSE]

You brave man although it might be worth it when its all sorted and your in wifeys good books 

[clipperjay]

You brave man although it might be worth it when its all sorted and your in wifeys good books 

I'm not doing it for the wife directly
The kids run about the sides of the bloody house all the time, and I can't risk another bad winter comming plus my insurance isn't going to cover tne neighbours flat roof if it falls in on it 
Funny thing about people they ignore it, ignore it catch it early and pay for it later! 

[bob23]

fvck the formula. i'd have used a 1:1 mix 

+1 I've always been told 1:1 for a good job, I've got to do some brick laying soon as well 

Who told you that?