Pool Mortar Mix

[Cnfuzed]

Hi - hoping for some help. I am putting in a 24x44 inground pool. I opted to do concrete mortar (sand and concrete mix) on the pool instead of vermiculite. However in the deep end on the sides I can’t get the consistency right. It is either runs down the wall or flakes off. I can’t find the in between. I am scared if i get it to rough it is going to puncture the liner. Any solutions on what I am doing wrong or anything else I can put on the wall?
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[ajw22]

@jimmythegreek should be by soon.

 

[Cnfuzed]

Any suggestions?

 

[ajw22]

@jimmythegreek is the guy who knows but he is busy building pools. You may have to wait for a rainy day when he has a break.

 

[phonedave]

I am not a pool builder by any means, but I have done my fair share of work with cement

Mortar has cement (not concrete), sand (or other fines) and lime in various proportions. Concrete is cement, sand, and larger aggregate.

From your original post, where you say mortar mix made of sand and concrete mix, it sound like you are mixing this yourself.

Anyway, lime will improve the workability and plasticity of your mortar,

You have to have your ratio correct. What is your cement / sand / lime mixture ?

Also, if you have to, you can add a polymer admixture to mortar to make it stickier.

Again, somebody in the pool business likely knows the correct recipe off the top of their heads, but this should give you an idea where to start looking.

 

[Cnfuzed]

Thank you so much Phonedave. I have not added any lime to my mixture and have tried 4-1 and 5-1 mixtures of sand and Portland cement. Does it matter what kind of lime I get, hydrated lime? Also where can I find polymer admixture? Thank you again for this information!

 

[jimmythegreek]

You cant use sand amd Portland, that's not a mix. Depends on what you want but basic mix is 6 sand 1 Portland 1 lime. It's easier to use vermiculite amd you can sand it with 80 grit if you mess up bad. Sand and portland is just a glorified sand floor.

 

[phonedave]

Thank you so much Phonedave. I have not added any lime to my mixture and have tried 4-1 and 5-1 mixtures of sand and Portland cement. Does it matter what kind of lime I get, hydrated lime? Also where can I find polymer admixture? Thank you again for this information!

Yes, Hydrated lime.

Also, make sure you mix the cement, sand, and lime together very well before you add water.

As for Polymers Additives

You can get Mapei products at Lowes

https://www.lowes.com/pd/MAPEI-2-Gallon-White-Liquid-Latex-Mortar-Additive-Mortar/3743849

I am not a fan of most of the Custom products that Home Depot sells - they work in a pinch, but my decidedly non-professional opinion leans towards Mapei

If you visit a masonry supply house in your area you may be able to find Laticrete 333

333 Super Flexible Additive - Latex Additive | LATICRETE®

333 Super Flexible Additive is specifically made to provide a strong, super flexible bond to surfaces. For best results, use with a LATICRETE thin-set!

laticrete.com

Laticrete is a wonderful product line, but it is professional stuff, and costs accordingly.

 

[Cnfuzed]

Thank you, I tried the lime as I had some at home already and worked! Now going back over the spots with this layer on the spots I originally done to smooth them out. Thank you all for your help! Will be glad when this part is done!