Showerthought: I'd been mixing mortar wrong for 15 years

Guy at the supply yard watched me dump water in first. He said stop. Told me to dry mix everything first then add water slow. I argued with him for 5 minutes. Finally tried it on a small retaining wall job in Salem last month. Mixed 4 batches his way and the consistency was perfect every time. No more soupy bottoms or dry pockets. Anyone else get taught wrong by some old timer and never questioned it?

2 comments

2 Comments

wren21713d ago

Actually always did water first here since that's how my grandpa showed me back in the day. Tried dry mixing once on a paver project and ended up with powder cloud city, got it in my eyes and everything lol. Water first lets you see the consistency build up as you add powder, easier to catch it before it gets too stiff. Different strokes for different folks I guess, whatever works for the job.

skylerm5513d ago

Heard some old timer say water first keeps the dust down too... makes sense to me.