Mix&GO 2.5/1 Pre-Mixed Natural Hydraulic Lime Mortar for the Construction and Restoration of Masonry

Mix&GO 2.5/1 Masonry Mortar
This Mix&GO is the perfect choice when a highly workable, easy to use product is needed, particularly in stonework. Our Standard Mix&GO 2.5/1 Mortar is made with NHL 3.5W, however can be made with the Natural Hydraulic Lime of your choice. This durable 100% Natural Mortar product is perfect for almost any masonry application. No sourcing sands, no dealing with color, just add water “Mix&GO”. Available Custom Colored and in our range of 40 standard colors.
Mix&GO 2.5/1 Mortar is MADE IN THE USA.

Where to Use
This Mix&GO is designed to work in the following applications. Laying Brick, Stone, & Masonry Units, Repointing Brick & Stonework. Mix&GO 2.5/1 Masonry Mortars can be used on interior and exterior masonry.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Components
Mix&GO 2.5/1 is a lime mortar that contains lime, (Natural Hydraulic Lime, conforming to EN:459), a blend of natural sands, and (in colored products), synthetic iron oxide pigments. This product contains no cement, latex, or acrylic admixtures.

Compressive Strengths (see printable datasheet)

Technical Information (see printable datasheet)

Preparation
For Laying or Bedding Masonry: Protect work from harsh direct sunlight, wind and rain, and if necessary freezing temperatures. Protect sills, ledges, windows, doors, and projections from droppings and splatters. Do not use tape or adhesives on any masonry surface. Prevent mortar from staining the face of the masonry and or other surfaces to be left exposed.
For Masonry Repointing: Remove all existing cement mortar by hand. Angle Grinders should not be used at risk of damaging historic masonry. If grinding is deemed necessary only craftspeople demonstrating skill at this task should perform this work. All deteriorated mortar should be raked out to sound mortar, leaving a clean square face at the back of the joint, to which ever depth is greatest (1 inch, 1 ½ times the width of the mortar joints, or until cohesive existing mortar is encountered). Care should be taken not to damage historic masonry surfaces and masonry joints should not be widened. Debris should be removed by hand brushing, vacuuming, or pressurized air. If there is evidence of moisture retention or rising damp it may be necessary to allow the structure to “dry out”. If this process is not done, lime leeching may occur, causing failure or the placed mortar and staining of the masonry.
Control Absorption by wetting units or surfaces prior to application. Surfaces and/or units should be cool and damp but not glistening or “holding water” to prevent premature drying of mortar

Mixing Directions
Mix&GO can be mixed either by hand or in a mechanical paddle mixer. Add one bag (65 lbs) of Mix&GO with 1.1 gallons and blend, adding additional water as necessary to achieve workability. Mix for at least 5 minutes. Please note that adding too much water can cause mortar to shrink, crack, and/or change color while curing.

Application
Lay a bed of mortar to sufficiently create full bed (horizontal) joints and “butter” brick ends to form full head (vertical) joints. Do not move or adjust units after the commencement of set, which can cause loss of bond between mortar and masonry units. If adjustments are deemed necessary remove both the masonry unit and the bed, and re-lay using fresh mortar.
For Masonry Repointing: Pack mortar firmly against the previously placed mortar by applying firm pressure to ensure close contact between the lifts. When finishing mortar joints it is often preferable to match the original joint profile.
Reworking: Standard Mix&GO can be reworked for up to 3 hours. If a different Natural Hydraulic Lime is required, reworking times may be different. Please view corresponding Natural Hydraulic Lime Datasheets. If a significant amount of water is need to rework the mortar, the hydraulic set may have started and the material should be discarded.
Curing Time: Mortar work should be protected from sun, wind, and rain for at least 7 days. Mortar work should be protected from freezing temperatures for at least 28 days. In some cases mortar work may need to be protected from freezing temperatures for several months.

Coverages and Consumption (see printable datasheet)

Clean Up
Ensure that all work is properly protected prior to cleaning. Maintain clean surfaces on the face, sills, ledges, and projections of masonry on a daily basis, and with a trowel, strike off minor dabs of adherent mortar from masonry faces. After mortar has achieved thumbprint hardness, lightly brush masonry to remove small mortar burrs from joints and masonry edges. Manual cleaning of masonry can be effective by using water and soft bristled brushes to remove mortar smears. Mortar must be sufficiently cured before light pressurized spray (less than 300 PSI) can be used. Caution should also be excercised due to the fact that over saturation of the masonry could lead to moisture migration. Virginia Lime Works does not recommend cleaning with masonry detergents, however, if such measures deem detergents necessary, contact detergent manufacturer for protocol when cleaning “PURE LIME MORTAR” and test the treatment in small inconspicuous areas to determine its effectiveness and to ensure no damage occurs to the building fabric. Tools can be cleaned using conventional methods and properly protect any unused product from moisture and freezing. Opened bags of Mix&GO can be stored in sealed pails for up to 6 months from date of purchase.

Alternate products
Mix&GO 2/1, Natural Hydraulic Lime (to be mixed with sand on-site), Lime Putty Mortar, Hot Lime Mortar.

Additional References
Mix&GO Material Safety Data Sheet, Guide to Traditional Lime Mortar, Guide to Natural Hydraulic Limes, Mortar Classification Chart, Guide to Masonry Repointing.

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