Figured out I was mixing mortar way too wet after a brick blew out on me

Was working a retaining wall last spring in Austin, temps hitting 95 and I was mixing like normal. Added extra water to keep it workable cause it was drying fast. Then I set this one brick and next morning it had literally slid right out of the wall. Mortar looked like crumbly mud instead of a solid bond. My old timer neighbor walked over and asked if I was making soup or bricklaying. He had me mix a batch stiffer, just enough water to get it to hold a peak. Night and day difference on the next section, bricks stayed put and the mortar actually cured hard. Any of you guys run into this with hot weather jobs?

2 comments

2 Comments

sean_martin446d ago

Yeah that temp thing is tricky though. Stiffer mix with hot weather isn't always the fix. If it's real hot you actually gotta keep the mortar wet longer, not mix it drier.

amymiller6d ago

Disagree a bit here. In my experience a stiff mix in real heat just means it sets up too fast and cracks. I keep it workable and just mist it down with a spray bottle every few minutes to slow the dry time.