PSA: Your mortar mix is probably too wet and you're killing your joints

I see crews all over town slopping down soupy mortar that's more like pancake batter. It's a huge problem because that weak joint will fail in 5 years, not 50. I learned this the hard way on a big chimney rebuild in Springfield where we had to tear out and redo three courses after a single freeze-thaw cycle. The mix should hold a ridge when you cut it with your trowel, not just slump flat. How many of you actually test your workability before you start laying?

2 comments

2 Comments

gray_patel9d ago

Okay the "hold a ridge when you cut it with your trowel" part is key. What's the actual test you do? Just the trowel cut or something else? I've seen guys just eyeball it from the mixer which is a total gamble. If the mix is wrong from the start, you're screwed for the whole day.

patricia_kelly9d ago

Yeah just the trowel cut, but you gotta really look at it. If the ridge just flattens out like a pancake, too wet. If it cracks and crumbles, way too dry. Watching guys just stare into the mixer and guess is painful lol, that's how you get a call back next week.