Red cement-based decorative mortars were prepared with different content electroplating sludge containing Pb （EPSP）, and their colors, water absorption, strengths, hydration characteristics and heavy metal leachabilities were investigated. The experimental results show that EPSP can adjust the mortar color well as the red pigments exclusively used in the decorative mortarS. EPSP will result in the increase of water absorption, but the mortar produced with 5% EPSP still has the very satisfactory water absorption. The mortars with EPSP are provided with nearly the same compressive, flexural and tensile bond strengths as those of the control. EPSP has no notable influence on the paste hydration. But it can densify the mortar microstructures. It is also evident that heavy metal concentrations in leachates of the mortars with EPSP are far lower than the recommended in the GB5085.3-2007.
