Just realized my mortar mix was wrong for 3 weeks

Was working on a retaining wall in Austin last month. Looked good going up. Then day 4, a whole section just crumbled. Like sand. Not mortar. Checked my bags, grabbed the wrong type at the supply yard. Got Type N when I needed Type S for that heavy load. Lost a full Saturday tearing it down. My foreman walked over, looked at the pile, just shook his head. Said nothing. That hurt more than yelling. Now I double check every pallet before mixing. Anyone else ever grab the wrong mortar type and pay for it big time?

2 comments

2 Comments

carter.thea7d ago

Man I felt that in my bones. Did the same thing on a patio job in San Antonio last spring. Grabbed a pallet of what I thought was Type S but it was some high early stuff that set up way too fast. Had this whole border laid out and by the time I got back from lunch it was cracked and lifting. Had to demo the whole thing with a sledgehammer in 95 degree heat. My boss didn't say a word either, just handed me a cold Gatorade and pointed at the pile of broken concrete. That silent disappointment is way worse than any chewing out. Now I keep a sharpie on my belt loop and write the type on the bags myself before even opening them.

jamie_price7d ago

Holy crap, a whole pallet of high early stuff? That's a nightmare. I would have lost my mind if I came back from lunch to find cracked and lifting work. The way you described driving that sledgehammer in 95 degree heat, that's exactly the kind of punishment that makes you never forget the mistake. I like that sharpie trick though, that's smart. Might have to steal that idea before I mess up again.