Shoutout to the old timer who told me to wet my bricks in the morning sun

I was laying a garden wall in this crazy Texas heat and the mortar was setting way too fast, so I dunked my bricks in a bucket for a few minutes before starting. The whole thing went up smoother and the joints look way cleaner than my usual rush job. Anyone else have a simple trick that saved your butt on a hot day?

3 comments

3 Comments

valh3226d ago

Buddy of mine soaks his whole trowel in ice water between batches.

oscarb771mo ago

Honestly you gotta wet the mortar board too.

victorb741mo ago

My last mortar mix looked like dry sand from a kid's playground. I used so little water trying to avoid a mess that the whole thing just crumbled apart when it dried. Pretty sure a stiff breeze could have knocked those bricks over. I've learned the hard way that soupy is better than dusty, even if it means getting your hands dirty. Now I just go for it and accept the sludge on my jeans. Looks terrible but at least the wall stays up.