Water solids value
The water-solids value is a dimensionless quantity and serves as a key figure for the mixing ratio of fresh mortar . This is the quotient of the mixing ratio of water: dry mortar (in parts by weight). This value is used for all types of factory mortar. Factory mortar means that the mortar is supplied by the manufacturer as premixed bagged goods. Only the addition of water is necessary on the construction site.
Calculation example
A building material manufacturer states the following on the container (e.g. grout in a 25 kg sack): “5.25 l of water per sack of dry mortar (25 kg)”. This specification corresponds to a mixing ratio of 5.25: 25
The water solids value for this mixing ratio is 0.21. Any amount of fresh mortar with this water-solids value can now be mixed. Assuming you only need 5 kg of grout, this would result in the following amount of water:
This consideration assumes that water has a density of 1.0 kg / dm³. However, since the density depends on the water temperature, one would have to - strictly speaking - weigh the added water and not measure it with a measuring cup.
Hints
When grouting paved ceilings and paving slabs, the same water-solids value must always be used on a paved surface, otherwise there may be significant color deviations. The joints of the pavement and paving should also be rewashed with approximately the same amount of water, if the paving surfaces are connected. Otherwise, cement and aggregate components or color pigments will be washed out to different degrees. The result is differently structured joints and differences in color of the joints.