Talked to an old timer in Pittsburgh who changed how I mix mortar

He told me to stop dumping the water in first and then the mix. Said to dry blend everything for a full minute before adding water, and it cuts down on air pockets way better. Anyone else try this method or am I just behind the times?

3 comments

3 Comments

patriciap5219d agoMost Upvoted

I watched a masonry restoration video on YouTube last year where a guy from Boston broke down the science on this. He said dry mixing first lets the cement particles coat the sand evenly so when you add water, it hydrates everything at the same rate and you get way less shrinkage cracks down the line. I tried it on a small patio repair and the mix definitely felt different to work with, more consistent like a stiff dough instead of a soupy mess. The old timers really knew their stuff even if we think we've improved on everything.

jessicaflores19d ago

Wait, a full 60 seconds of dry mixing? I thought 30 seconds was overkill but now I'm second-guessing everything.

lilyg8319d ago

My dad used this trick for 40 years on job sites in Philly. He said dry blending first lets the sand and cement get real cozy before the water messes with it. I tried it last month on a stone wall repair and the mortar came out way stiffer with no bubbles at all. Air pockets always drove me nuts cause they weaken the bond over time. Now I do a full 60 second dry mix in the wheelbarrow before adding just enough water to get it plastic. It takes a little extra muscle but the finish is bulletproof.