Old foreman told me my mortar mix was too wet and he was right

I've been laying brick for about 5 years now and always mixed my mortar on the wetter side because it was easier to spread. Last month on a job in Arlington, the foreman walked over and told me my mortar was too wet and I'd end up with weak joints. I tested his way with a dryer mix on a small garden wall and the bricks held way better. Has anyone else had to unlearn a bad habit like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_wade4d ago

You actually listened to some random foreman and changed your whole mix? That's wild. Most guys I know would just nod and keep doing it their way until the wall falls over. Five years of wet mortar is a long time to have that habit. Glad you didn't get stubborn about it like half the masons I've worked with.

ninah102d ago

Thing is, nobody talks about how wet mortar messes with your trowel control over time. You get used to slumping and adjust without even noticing. That foreman probably saved him from some nasty cracks down the road.