I have two tons of building sand left over from a building project. I am
about to lay some brick edgings for a gravel driveway and wondered if I
could use the building sand as opposed to sharp sand to set the bricks into.
I wasn't thinking of a dry mix as this would wash away but using a stronger
wet mix (say 3:1 sand:cement) on a hardcore base to set the bricks in.
Would this be acceptable or would I need to strengthen the mix with say
gravel?

paul wrote:
I have two tons of building sand left over from a building project. I
am about to lay some brick edgings for a gravel driveway and wondered
if I could use the building sand as opposed to sharp sand to set the
bricks into. I wasn't thinking of a dry mix as this would wash away
but using a stronger wet mix (say 3:1 sand:cement) on a hardcore base
to set the bricks in. Would this be acceptable or would I need to
strengthen the mix with say gravel?

It's building sand, IE It's what is used for building with, sharp sand is
not usually used for bricklaying, it's for concrete and for laying flags /
block paving etc on.
3:1 is a bit strong IMV, try 4 or 5:1

Phil L wrote:
paul wrote:
I have two tons of building sand left over from a building project. I
am about to lay some brick edgings for a gravel driveway and wondered
if I could use the building sand as opposed to sharp sand to set the
bricks into. I wasn't thinking of a dry mix as this would wash away
but using a stronger wet mix (say 3:1 sand:cement) on a hardcore base
to set the bricks in. Would this be acceptable or would I need to
strengthen the mix with say gravel?

It's building sand, IE It's what is used for building with, sharp sand is
not usually used for bricklaying, it's for concrete and for laying flags /
block paving etc on.
3:1 is a bit strong IMV, try 4 or 5:1

The only difference in the sand is that the brick sand is smaller
particles. A little smal sized gravel would expand the amount you would
get at the same strength for the same amount of cement.

The surface area of small particulate is much much greater than the
surface area of coarse particulate. And it is the surface coating with
cement that makes it bind.

Weatherlawyer wrote:
Phil L wrote:
paul wrote:
I have two tons of building sand left over from a building project.
I am about to lay some brick edgings for a gravel driveway and
wondered if I could use the building sand as opposed to sharp sand
to set the bricks into. I wasn't thinking of a dry mix as this
would wash away but using a stronger wet mix (say 3:1 sand:cement)
on a hardcore base to set the bricks in. Would this be acceptable
or would I need to strengthen the mix with say gravel?

It's building sand, IE It's what is used for building with, sharp
sand is not usually used for bricklaying, it's for concrete and for
laying flags / block paving etc on.
3:1 is a bit strong IMV, try 4 or 5:1

The only difference in the sand is that the brick sand is smaller
particles. A little smal sized gravel would expand the amount you
would get at the same strength for the same amount of cement.

The surface area of small particulate is much much greater than the
surface area of coarse particulate. And it is the surface coating with
cement that makes it bind.

I know, and grit sand sets rock hard too, but for bricklaying it's not
smooth enough for pointing, nor attractive when set, IMV anyway, YMMV etc
:-p

paul wrote:

I have two tons of building sand left over from a building project. I am
about to lay some brick edgings for a gravel driveway and wondered if I
could use the building sand as opposed to sharp sand to set the bricks into.

sure.


NT