Local builders are all for that new rapid-set mortar, but I have doubts

They used it on the strip mall going up near my place, and I noticed the joints look weak after just a few months. Our area gets big temperature swings, and I think it cracks too easy. Saw a similar issue on a patio job last fall that needed repair. For me, good old slow-cure mortar still does the job right around here.

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3 Comments

anna297mo ago

Might be a mixing problem, not the mortar.

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fox.joel7mo ago

That's a solid point from @anna29. Watched a guy once add way too much water to the mix and then blame the bag. The whole batch was useless by lunch. Good mixing is everything.

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willows387mo ago

What ratio are you guys using for water to powder? I've seen people just dump a whole jug in without measuring and then wonder why it's soupy. A kitchen scale for the powder and a marked bucket for the water makes a huge difference.

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