Mortar properties encompass a range of characteristics crucial for construction and masonry work, including workability, water retention, bond strength, durability, compressive strength, volume change, and appearance. Workability refers to mortar's ability to be easily applied and manipulated without sagging or falling off surfaces, which is important for efficient masonry unit placement and alignment. Water retention is essential to prevent the mortar from losing moisture too quickly to the atmosphere or absorbent materials, ensuring it remains plastic and workable long enough to bond masonry units effectively.

Bond strength is critical for the structural integrity of masonry work, affecting the mortar's ability to adhere to masonry units and resist tensile forces that could pull the structure apart. This property is influenced by the mortar's texture, the absorption rate of the masonry units, and the quality of workmanship.

Durability and compressive strength are vital for the mortar's ability to withstand environmental conditions and loads, respectively. Mortar durability ensures resistance to weathering, while compressive strength measures the mortar's capacity to resist crushing under load, determined through standardized tests.

Finally, the appearance of mortar, including uniform color and texture, affects the aesthetic appeal of masonry work, with specific considerations for tooling and the use of pigments. The overall quality of mortar, combining these properties, plays a pivotal role in the success of construction projects.