Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Mortar Bed Installation
Mortar Bed Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Mortar Bed Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Mortar Bed Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Mortar Bed Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Mortar Bed Installation labor cost? What are the important Mortar Bed Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Mortar Bed Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Mortar Bed Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Mortar Bed Installation expect to pay between $3.20 to $5.33 per square foot. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Mortar Bed Installation work? | Your Mortar Bed Installation project may require design approval and/or permits from your local building authority. Verify requirements with your local building department before any Mortar Bed Installation work starts, particularly for ay structural or systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) projects. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Mortar Bed Installation work? | The operation and performance of the mortar bed may be adversely affected by inexperience or poor installation techniques. Hire service providers for Mortar Bed Installation carefully and be sure to tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (from the list below). |
| Is Mortar Bed Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Mortar Bed Installation project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Mortar Bed Installation requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Mortar Bed Installation work? | Normally, this work can be completed in 1 day. |
Mortar Bed Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Mortar Bed Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Mortar Bed Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- A detailed mortar bed layout - showing material placement and all joints/seams - will be reviewed and approved before work begins
- The installed mortar bed height will be within 1/4 inch of the height of adjacent finished flooring
- Installed mortar bed surface variations along a 4 foot straight edge will not exceed 1/16 inch - from any location along any direction
- Installed mortar bed will be level to within 1/64 inch in any 2 foot direction
- There will be no mortar bed on hardware, trim plates or fittings; attached hardware and fittings should be removed prior to mortar bed application, whenever possible
- Finished mortar bed will feel uniformly solid and rigid under pressure
Mortar Bed Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Mortar Bed Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the mortar bed work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Determine if permit is required for Mortar Bed Installation by local building authority, before any work begins
- Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of mortar bed, before any work begins
- Review site access, clean-up restrictions , work hours, bathroom use and other jobsite rules with all subcontractors and laborers before they begin work
- Prepare area for safe, efficient work; move items that restrict work access or are vulnerable to damage; cover and protect items that cannot be moved
- Secure subfloor to framing; eliminate squeaks and soft spots
- Apply a smooth, even coat/layer of moisture barrier and lath
- Install mortar using manufacturer specified materials and methods
- Inspect Mortar Bed Installation and verify that all quality requirements and punch list items are completed correctly
- Remove debris, dirt and dust from all work areas; unless otherwise agreed, all demolition debris and construction waste will be removed from the site within 24 hours
